Rudolph Francis Tomazich

Rudolph Francis Tomazich passed away September 14, 2021 at the age of 79. He was born
December 21, 1941 in Walkerville, Montana to Joe and Mary (nee' Lantta) Tomazich. Both
parents families were immigrants who were drawn to Montana to work in the copper mine in
Butte. Joe was Yugoslavian and Mary was Finnish.

Joe was developing respiratory problems in the mines, so he became employed by the Union
Pacific Rail Road in Pocatello, making Rudy basically a life long resident. Rudy attended
Pocatello High School, Class of 1960. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1960 and was
discharged from his permanent assignment at Malmstrom Air Base in Montana in 1964,
His first job while in high school was working nights as a pin setter at Tough Guy Bowling
Lanes on West Center. The automatic machines hadn't come to town yet and he described
the job as constantly in motion until closing time, while occasionally dodging errant bowling
balls.

After his Air Force service, Rudy worked at a variety of jobs in Pocatello including Gem State
Paper and Hills Bros. Buick. However, it was working for the Union Pacific that became his
career until retiring. Like other U.P. Employees at the time, he had to relocate for a few years
to maintain his retirement benefit, which took him to Festus, Missouri.

He was a lifelong car nut and had competed for a few years in the jalopy class at the Airport
Speedway. He loved working with model cars and railroads with a home-made layout in his
basement. He enjoyed photography and was proud of winning a blue ribbon in that category
at the Eastern Idaho State Fair.

Rudy was married after returning from the Air Force, which ended in divorce in the early '70s.
He never remarried. He is survived by son Scott, daughter Dawn, and his two
granddaughters (Scotts children) Bailey and Danika. His younger brother Robert, his only
sibling, lives in Colorado Springs.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family under the "Share a memory" section above.