Nicholas Charles Dudiak, 78, is now free to hunt and fish in the Alaskan wilderness again. He successfully dealt with years of pain from injuries and blood clots in addition to the effects of Agent Orange and age. Thankfully, he is no longer in pain. He passed on October 12, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Nick was born in 1946 to Frank and Estelle Dudiak. Born into a military family, he lived in Illinois, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Portugal.
He graduated from Tinley Park High School, in IL, and received a BS in 1968 from Southern Illinois University majoring in fish and wildlife management. Following family tradition he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969 and served in South Vietnam. He earned a Bronze Star, Army Commendation medals and promotion to Sergeant for his brave actions under enemy fire. After serving his country, he returned to SIU for his Master’s Degree. He met his wife Norma Wolf there who was studying for a Master’s in zoology. They were married in 1973. What an adventurous life they had over the next 51 years.
Nick & Norma worked as biologists at Dames & Moore Engineering for five years in Park Ridge, IL. Then they received life-changing job offers from Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game in Homer, AK. Nick worked for the FRED Division managing Tutka Lagoon Hatchery, Halibut Cove Lagoon Facility and establishing new locations for salmon enhancements. These projects contributed as much as 50-80% of the Lower Cook Inlet Commercial Fishery harvest over the years.
Each year he hunted and fished every waking moment (when not working). He successfully hunted moose, caribou, elk, black bear, dall sheep, mountain goat, sitka blacktail, wolf, hare, geese, and many waterfowl. He was an excellent taxidermist and filled the living room with his hunting memories. Nick treasured the times when he could take a young person under his wing to teach them hunting, fishing and science. He and Norma loved Alaska so much they stayed 28 years.
Nick envisioned a new experimental salmon fishery on the Homer Spit where every age could fish. If it worked, this ADF&G project would take pressure off the natural runs and provide a boost to the local economy. Nick created a king & coho salmon run with no stream water for imprinting. Success has continued since 1984, as long as it is stocked. The Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon won national acclaim in 1990 as the Best Sport Fisheries Enhancement Project in the Nation. The presentation was made in the White House Rose Garden.
He was intuitive when it came to creating new fisheries projects. Nick was instrumental in developing the Kachemak Bay Winter King Salmon Fishery in 1988. He studied and recommended more protection for wild king salmon stocks on the Anchor River and Deep Creek. This established a larger no trolling zone around the river mouths.
Retiring from ADF&G at age 50, he immediately started Dudiak’s Guide Service for salmon and halibut. Nick invented his own lures and a chartreuse metallic color called Dudiak Green. He loved guiding and gave free charters to clients who released very large fish. He befriended his first client and ended up as the officiant for her marriage.
Nick & Norma moved to Augusta, MI, in 2005 to help care for their older family members. Fishing for bass and musky, and hunting for white-tail deer and wild turkey, were his favorite activities. One of Nick’s dreams came true when he managed their lake for trophy large-mouth bass. He continued designing, testing and making fishing lures. Winters brought on his love of creating and tuning duck and goose calls. He had lots of geese circling the lake as he practiced calling.
Nick is survived by his wife, Norma; brother David Dudiak (Richard Steck), sister Patricia Rogers (Dreux Sutcliffe); nieces Deanna (Mike) Stringer, Melissa Galvao, and Natalee Rogers (Kevin Barrett); nephews David (Anna) Wolf, Michael (Cambria) Dudiak, Phillip Dudiak (Julia), and William Rogers; nine great nieces and nephew; and fifteen great great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Ducks Unlimited, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust in Homer, or a charity of your choice. There will be a private Celebration of Life. Nick will be buried with military honors in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages and memories can be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Nick was a memorable character and he will be greatly missed; a loving husband, committed fisheries biologist, successful hunter, dedicated fisherman and guide, heroic soldier in combat, nationally recognized conservator of our fish and wildlife, generous mentor, teacher, innovative designer and loyal friend.
