Marion Frank Rudy (24 January 1925 – 13 December 2009) was the aeronautical engineer who patented a cushioning system based on an inert gas encapsulated in polyurethane plastic. It was trademarked by Nike as the "Air" sole. He was a member of Case Western Reserve University's class of 1950, and a graduate of Fairview High School, in Fairview Park, Ohio. He was also a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Rudy died in his home in California on December 13, 2009. He was 84 years old.