SPJST announces the creation of a newly endowed scholarship that honors the life and legacy of longtime fraternalists Rudy and Maxine Sefcik. An initial donation of $20,000 from members of Lodge 54, West established the Rudy and Maxine Sefcik Benevolent Scholarship which will be awarded annually beginning in Spring 2022.
“We had been kicking this idea about for the last year or two,” says Lodge 54, West President Freddie Kaluza. “Many memories come back to me about Rudy and Maxine. I remember back in 1986 when I was mowing a yard, and Rudy stopped by to visit and asked me if I would be interested in serving as treasurer of Lodge 54. Reluctantly, I accepted, but it was a decision that I do not regret.”
“At the time, Rudy and Maxine were managing Lone Star Hall and from that point forward, Brother Freddie and his wife, Janice, devoted many weekends working alongside Brother Rudy and Sister Maxine hosting weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, and other functions. Keep in mind, this was in addition to Brother Rudy carrying out the duties of Vestnik Editor and Sister Maxine serving as the Office Assistant.”
“Rudy could always make me laugh,” says Brother Freddie. “He was also instrumental in encouraging me to become a sales agent for Lodge 54. Janice, who is also an agent, and I are so proud that our lodge was able to fund this endowed SPJST scholarship as a tribute to Rudy and Maxine.”
In addition to serving as president of Lodge 54, West, Brother Rudy also served as president of Lodge 88, Houston. As a member of Lodge 88, Houston, Brother Rudy served as a delegate to many SPJST Conventions. Both Rudy and Maxine made a tremendous and positive difference at Lodge 88. Maxine contributed to the youth program and served as the first District Five Youth Counselor from 1958 to 1964.
Brother Rudy was first elected editor in 1968 and was reelected five times. Because the paper was published by the Čechoslovak Publishing Company in West, a move to this Central Texas town was necessary. He retired after completing his sixth term in 1992 when current SPJST President/CEO Brian Vanicek was elected editor.
“I remember summer days growing up on the farm, riding my bicycle to pick up the mail, and – every Wednesday – looking at the Vestnik,” says Brother Brian. “As I got older and moved to Austin, and then to Colorado, I continued to receive the newspaper. And through it all, something that always impressed me was that the editor stayed the same. Many of the Supreme Lodge officers would change but there was real consistency in the editor’s seat.
“Those of us who knew Brother Sefcik know that he didn’t mince words. He believed in the freedom of the press, the spirit of fraternalism, and the importance of the membership to be thoroughly informed on all matters of the Society.
“‘I was brought up to say what I thought,’ Brother Rudy once said to me. Upon coming aboard as the new editor, I asked Brother Rudy if he had any regrets regarding his tenure as editor. He said to me, ‘Well if I wanted to be a good boy about it, I could say that I wish that I had been easier on the fellows in the Home Office. But, if you want the truth, I don’t have any regrets. If I had to do it over again, I would do it all the same,’ he said, and then he smiled.”
Throughout his tenure as Vestnik Editor, Rudy’s wife Maxine remained his faithful assistant, providing back up support in the newspaper’s composition and the moral support necessary to keep the Sefcik household – including sons Edwin J. (Bubba) and Terry – running smoothly.
In addition to their longtime support of SPJST, Brother Rudy and Sister Maxine were also members of Texas Czech Heritage Society, Sokol West Gymnastic Association, Sons of Hermann Magnolia Lodge in Houston,
Czechoslovak Society of America, and Western Fraternal Life Association (now known as BetterLife). Brother Sefcik was also a co-founder and lifetime member of the Czech Educational Foundation of Texas as well as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.
KHBR Radio in Hillsboro celebrated the 50th anniversary of its “American Czech Hour” in 2020, broadcasting polkas and waltzes every Sunday afternoon for an hour-and-a-half. The first host of the program was Brother Rudy. Sister Maxine was there, too, behind the scenes lining up the records. She went on to serve as the show’s co-producer alongside David Kolar for many years thereafter.
Perpetual community boosters, Brother Rudy and Sister Maxine also served as masters of ceremonies for the Westfest Cultural Entertainment program from its inception. After Brother Rudy’s passing in 1993, Sister Maxine continued to serve as event co-emcee until health reasons prompted her to step down in 2007. She was also an associate director of Westfest. As a lasting testament to Brother Rudy and Sister Maxine’s commitment to all things Czech, the Sefcik Amphitheater on the Westfest fairgrounds is named in their honor.
SPJST lodges, members, or friends wishing to contribute and provide additional support to help grow the Rudy and Maxine Benevolent Scholarship and help a deserving student through continuing education can do so by donating at the link above.
