Top athlete Michael Dudock dead at 59
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Michael Andrew Dudock, an award-winning athlete who defied odds and lived six years with a terminal illness, died Oct. 20 at the Tripler Army Medical Center. He was 59.
Dudock, named Honolulu Quarterback Club's 2000 Senior Male Athlete of the Year, inspired many with his athletic feats while battling terminal cancer and bipolar manic depressive disorder. Dudock was diagnosed with cancer in 1994 and manic depression in 1988.
Michael Dudock was the Honolulu Quarterback Club's 2000 Senior Male Athlete of the Year.
A mentor to hundreds of cancer patients throughout the country, Dudock kept his message simple: "Never give up."
"I think he showed people that you can take charge of your life," said his wife, Jackie. "The illness is an aspect of your life, but it isn't who you are. You're greater than whatever ailment or disability that might affect you."
Dudock completed five marathons during his illness, participated in the Great Aloha Run, the Senior Olympics and received commendation from Gov. Ben Cayetano and Mayor Jeremy Harris for his outstanding performance at the 2000 Aloha State Games where he won 17 medals, including eight golds.
"Your remarkable demonstration of athleticism ... is surpassed only by the courage with which you have confronted the challenges to your health," Cayetano wrote.
Originally from Akron, Ohio, Dudock made Hawai'i his home for 35 years. He excelled in track and football at the University of Akron.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie; daughter, Heather; son, Mark; mother, Katherine; and sister, Karen. His mother and sister live in Ohio.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The family requests no flowers.
