Rudolph R. Rackele

By Sun Advocate

PROVO – Rudolph R. Rackele, 91 of Provo, passed away peacefully Aug. 29, 2008.
Rudolph was born Oct. 19, 1916 to Salvatore and Rosina Marchese Rachiele in Mohrland.
Rudolph and his family lived in Carbon County until 1962, at which time they moved to Provo. There, he made his home until his time of passing.
During World War II, Rudolph served as a gunner in the U.S. Army. He helped the post-war Japanese in Hiroshima and was honored in 2004 as one of the oldest living veterans in Provo. He was very proud to wear his uniform, which still fit him after 55 years.
Rudolph worked for the Rio Grande Railroad for 45 years as a fireman and engineer and enjoyed writing for the railroad newspaper as a correspondent under the byline name “Red Rider.”
He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner and served as the worshipful master of the Damascus Lodge.
He was a member of the Provo Community Church and the Orem Community Church.
As a young man, he played American Legion baseball in Helper, where he and his brothers helped make up the full roster. He was a lifetime New York Yankee fan and honorary “arm-chair” manager.
His loving wife and sweetheart, Donna, and his family were his life.
He held family, God and country near to his heart.
He was a modest man of awesome proportions who was loved by many.
He missed his wife, Donna, so much after her passing in 2004. As his family witnessed, “Momma put out her hand and Daddy took it, and he is now smiling again because he is with his little ‘Blue Bird.'”
He is survived by his children, Merrilee (Bill) Hatch of El Paso, Texas; Kristen (John) Briody of Austin, Texas; Rudene Rachiele of Henderson, Nev.; Kim (Scott) Fillmore of Provo; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Orem Community Church. Interment was in the Orem City Cemetery, with full military honors accorded by the American Legion. Funeral services were under the direction of Berg Mortuary, Provo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in his memory to the Masonic Society of Utah or the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of Salt Lake City.