GREAT-GRANDFATHER KILLED AFTER 45-POUND ROCK CRASHES THROUGH JEEP ROOF
GREAT-GRANDFATHER KILLED AFTER 45-POUND ROCK CRASHES THROUGH JEEP ROOF
A family vacation at Glacier National Park turned into a devastating tragedy when a falling rock crashed through the roof of a Jeep, striking 73-year-old Rex Schowengerdt as he sat beside his wife of 50 years.
A DREAM TRIP ENDS IN TRAGEDY
Rex Schowengerdt, a retired Missouri outdoorsman, had traveled more than 1,300 miles with his wife, Chris, to visit Glacier National Park in Montana.
The couple were beginning a longer trip through several national parks when tragedy struck on July 11.
Rex was sitting in the back of a hardtop Jeep with his wife as they traveled along the Going-to-the-Sun Road near Logan Pass.
Then, without warning, a rock estimated by his wife to weigh about 45 pounds crashed through the vehicle’s roof.
THE IMPACT WAS CATASTROPHIC
The rock struck Rex directly, causing devastating head injuries.
He was airlifted to a hospital and placed in intensive care.
Doctors determined that he had suffered a traumatic brain injury, and his family said the impact crushed his skull and caused severe damage to his brain stem.
Five days after the accident, on July 16, Rex died from his injuries.
HIS WIFE WAS SITTING RIGHT BESIDE HIM
Perhaps the most heartbreaking detail came from Rex’s daughter, Amy Prince.
Her mother was sitting beside him when the rock struck.
Chris later told the family that when she looked over at her husband, she saw him with what appeared to be a smile on his face.
For his family, that painful image also provided a small measure of comfort.
They knew how excited Rex had been about returning to Glacier.
HE LOVED THE OUTDOORS
Rex was remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He and Chris had been married for 50 years.
His daughter described him as someone who loved camping, running and spending time outdoors.
The trip to Glacier was particularly meaningful because he had visited the park only once before and had been extremely excited to return.
A TRAGEDY THAT COULDN’T HAVE BEEN PREDICTED
Rockfalls are a known hazard in mountainous areas, particularly along roads bordered by steep cliffs.
But Rex’s family described what happened as a freak accident — something they believe could not realistically have been prevented.
The rock came through the roof with virtually no warning.
EVEN IN DEATH, HE HELPED OTHERS
Amid the family’s grief, there was one final act that brought some comfort.
Rex’s eyes and tissues were donated.
His daughter said the family later received a letter indicating that his donation helped restore the vision of two people.
His family now hopes his life will be remembered for much more than the freak accident that ended it.
HE TRAVELED MORE THAN 1,300 MILES TO SEE GLACIER.
HE WAS SITTING BESIDE HIS WIFE OF 50 YEARS.
A FALLING ROCK STRUCK WITHOUT WARNING.
HIS FINAL DONATION HELPED TWO OTHER PEOPLE SEE AGAIN.
Rex’s daughter said her father had encouraged his family to slow down in nature, look closely and appreciate what was around them.
Now, that message has taken on an entirely different meaning.
A MAN WENT TO SEE A PLACE HE LOVED — AND NEVER CAME HOME.
This post summarizes publicly reported information about the July 11 rockfall at Glacier National Park. The family described the incident as a freak accident.
