Randy J. Trosper
Randy Joseph Trosper, 55, of Polson, died peacefully of natural causes at home on Monday, October 26, 2009, after a short battle with heart disease, cancer, and additional complications. Although he lost the battle, he fought it with courage and his innate good humor.
Randy was born in the old Catholic hospital in St. Ignatius on March 12, 1954, to Alice Stockton Trosper and George Lester Trosper. He was the youngest of six children making him the guinea pig for many childhood adventures and experiments while growing up at Kerr Dam. Randy was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
He attended Polson public schools graduating from Polson High School in 1972. During that time he worked at Safeway. He attended Flathead Valley Community College after graduation fighting wildfires for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes during the summer to finance his education. He then completed a truck driving school. He joined the U. S. Army in 1978. Randy began his military career as a draftsman and was trained later as a nuclear weapons advisor specialist serving three overseas tours in Germany and Greece. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class and was honorably discharged in June 1992.
Randy attended Salish Kootenai College, graduating with an Associates Degree. In September 2001 he began work at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Natural Resources Department as a fisheries technician while pursuing a fisheries biology degree through the University of Montana. Randy was employed with the Tribes Water Quality Program beginning January 2003 until his much too early death.
Randy was proud of his cultural heritage and was a very active member of the Veteran Warrior Society, often traveling out-of-state and to Canada for pow wows and life celebration ceremonies.
Randy thoroughly enjoyed and loved his nine nieces and nephews and their children. He was a history buff and an avid reader with varied interests.
Randy was married and divorced twice. He was preceded in death by his father Lester, sister Lynda, and grandparents. He is survived by his mother Alice and siblings, Danna Hurtt (Richard), Eldeana Davis, Brad Trosper (Marilyn), and Leslee Dickson (Buz), two aunts, one uncle, and numerous cousins.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 6th Ave. E., Polson. Funeral services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 4th Ave. E., Polson at 10:30 AM, Thursday, October 29, 2009 with Rev. Paul Rowold officiating. Military graveside services will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. A reception will be held at VFW Post 2986 after the services.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor\’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, is assisting the family.
Alice, Leslee and family. We are so sorry to learn of Randy’s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Hold on to the memories, they will eventually ease the sorrow you are feeling now. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. God Bless you. Love, Kathie and Tom
as a friend and comrad, Randy was always there to help.he will be missed deply. Frank.
I am in Utah and unable to attend Randy’s funeral. Randy was a good man and will be missed greatly! I pray for him a safe passage in the spirit world and for the strength to carry on in this world for his family and loved ones that he leaves behind. GOD bless you all!
I would like to send my condolences to the family of Randy. He will be greatly missed in the Water Quality circle, I will miss having cigs with Randy outside the EPA building in Denver every year in March and I will also miss his advise and recomendations of water quality equiptment and samling. He was always willing to help with a question, if he had the answer and if he didn’t he was always willing to find the answer for you. Our prayers go out to Randy’s family that they may use the memories of Randy to help them through this troublesome time.
A Friend of Randy’s
Laurie Shafer
Water Quality Specialist/Environmental Scientist
Fort Peck Tribes-Office of Environmental Protection
Poplar, Montana
We are so sorry to hear about losing Randy. My “memory snapshot” of Randy goes back to high school – - his great big smile and laughing out loud at something silly.
May God grant you peace through all of this, and may all your memories help carry you through this time.
Jeannene & Wynne
My sincere sympathies to your entire family. Right now, I am in Oklahoma and cannot attend wakes or funerals at home. Please know, however, that my thoughts are with you. Evelyn Stevenson
My best meory of cousin Randy was when we were stacking a haystack in our grandfather’s field in Montana. It was a great summer evening. Uncle Lester was picking up the bales of hay with the tractor and loading them on the stack, and we packed them. A beautiful summer Montana night. It is one of my best memories. Randy and I saw each other only sporadically over our lives. I will miss him.
My family and I are deeply sorry to not be able to attend your funeral Uncle Randy. To Grandma Alice, Dad and family my family I send sincere condolences to you on our families loss. Nathan, Jessica, Caseman and Noah Trosper
I first met Randy at a Tribal/EPA Water Quality meeting in Denver, Colorado shortly after he started working with the Natural Resources Department. His passion for his work and his unselfish desire to help others was contagious. I am honored to have developed a friendship with him over the years. Randy, you will be missed greatly. My prayers and thoughts are with each of you. God speed on your next journey!
Randy’s friend
Randy Brown, Senior Environmental Scientist
Tribal Assistance Program
US EPA Region 8
My mom notified me of your loss. Randy was too young and all his cousins will miss him.
i’m sorry to hear about randy’s death…he seemed much to young he will be greatly missed
I am so sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. A sister, a brother, a daughter, and a son. May God help heal this loss too! I am thinking of you all. Remembering all of the wonderful memories with your family. My prayers are with you. Bruce
My prayers go out to the family of Randy Trosper. He was a very nice gentleman and will be greatly missed in the community and the SKC family. He was a quite guy, but always there willing to lend a hand. My condolences to you all, you are in our hearts and prayers.
MaryRose Morigeau & Family