Rudolph William Weiss

Forest Lawn Cemetery
Location: Grave Unspecified
(1889 – 1966)

Rudolph W. Weiss was a prominent shipping executive in Norfolk. 

He also served as honorary consul in Norfolk for Germany, Mexico, and Panama.  He served as honorary consul to Germany from 1956 to 1963.  For many years before that he served as vice consul for Panama and Mexico.

Although a native of Bavaria, Germany, Weiss was a resident of Norfolk County and Norfolk since 1927.  Prior to moving to Norfolk, he lived in Baltimore for 16 years.

Weiss was the general manager of Alcoa Steamship Co. for more than 30 years until December 1957, when he retired from the company in order to organize his own shipping concern, Capes Shipping Agencies. He was president of that company until 1964, when illness forced his final retirement. 

Weiss started as a banker in Germany.  In 1907, he moved to Africa as an explorer and trader.  After buying a ship, he traveled the coastal waters of Africa.

In 1911, he moved to Baltimore and entered the stevedore business with Jarka Corporation.  He relocated to Norfolk in 1926 and started Chesapeake Shipping Co.

He was a member of the Norfolk Consular Club, the Richmond Import and Export Club, the Navy League, and the Lafayette Yacht Club.

Weiss was married to the former Marian Arnold.

References:

Virginia Pilot, “Rudolph W. Weiss, 77, Consul, Shipping Official,” Nov. 30, 1966, p. 18.      

Biographical information provided by Norfolk Bureau of Cemeteries. Profile written by Michael Frost, Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation volunteer.

Visitor Information

Visitor Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Office hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Free parking inside cemetery.

Admission Cost: Free

Address: 8100 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23505

Official web site for more information: www.norfolk.gov/cemeteries

Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation Web Site: www.norfolksocietyforcemeteryconservation.org