Ludvik Rosich

Ludvik Rosich, 96, of Polson & Missoula, passed away the afternoon of March 14th, surrounded by family at St. Patrick Hospital. Ludvik was born June 6, 1914 in New Mexico to Austrian immigrants, Mary Lichof Rosich & Frank Rosich, Sr. At an early age, the family moved to Carpenter Creek & then settled in Red Lodge, MT. The oldest of five children, Ludvik grew up exploring the outdoors, working hard, and inventing & building things with his friends. In the early 1930s, he graduated from Red Lodge Schools. At age 17, he helped build the Cook City Hwy, inspiring his life work in engineering. He then worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, and later took a job with the Forest Service -- snow shoeing & skiing many mountain ranges from Montana to the Pacific Northwest. He took core samples of snowfall, before the days of satellite & computer measurements. In 1938, he met fellow Forest Service employee & future life partner, Gladys Norman. On September 1, 1940, Ludvik & Gladys were married in Billings, MT. With the start of WWII, Vik joined the U.S. Coast Guard & proudly served our country. He specialized in cartography & was the first to map all the Alaskan waterways for our government, while quickly earning the rank of Chief. After the war, Vik returned to Missoula where he & Gladys shared many happy years raising their only child, Eveline Viki Rosich, & building a beautiful home together. During these years he continued his 45 year career in engineering with the Forest Service, where he worked as a supervisor, surveying & building roads, and as a Fire Boss. Outside of home & work, Vik enjoyed many activities. He was an avid outdoorsman, an amateur photographer, a lifetime member of the Missoula Elks Club...'B.P.O.E.' (Best People on Earth), and a staunch supporter of the NRA & the Republican National Committee. Vik was also a driving force behind Gladys' tireless effort to lay the groundwork for the Missoula Vocational Technical Center. In the early 70s, Vik finally retired with Gladys to the East Shore of Flathead Lake, where they enjoyed tending to their beautiful lake property and visiting & playing cards with dear friends. Vik served as an elected member of the East Lake Shore Fire Board for many years & spent the rest of his free time doting on his daughter & grandchildren. Later in life, Vik was primarily known as 'Grandpa' by most everyone, especially his grandkids & their friends. They all loved to visit him at the Lake & listen to his amazing life stories. Ludvik was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Gladys: his mother, Mary Rosich: his father, Frank Rosich: two of his sisters, Rose Rosich Zook & Ann Rosich Koski: & many dear lifelong friends. Survivors include his daughter & son-in-law, Evie 'Viki' & Jack Selanders of Missoula: his brother, Frank Rosich Jr. of Missoula: his sister, Mary Rosich Faw of Big Timber: his beloved grandchildren, Kamella Dahl & partner Nick, Megan Selanders, Erik Selanders & wife Hilarie, Holly Selanders, Michael Selanders & partner Tami, and Mary Selanders-Norman & husband Rick: 19 great-grandchildren Kyandra, Drake, Janelle, Kayla, Dana, Sami, Orion, Cody, Tyler, Alex, Cly, Zola, Madison, Makayla, Patrick, Robert, Aralynn, Jonathan & Erik's baby due 5/2011: two great-great-grandchildren, R.J. & Tae: & many treasured friends.At his request, Grandpa will be buried in Polson, MT, under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home. Granny, who passed away in 1997, chose to be cremated and her ashes will be buried with Grandpa, near her parents Clyde & Myrtle Norman. On Saturday, April 2nd at 11 am, there will be a remembrance held in Vik and Gladys\' honor at the Grogan Funeral Home, for all family and friends to attend. From there we will drive to a graveside service at Polson cemetery, where Ludvik will receive full military honors. Grandpa and Granny will then be laid to rest together, and following the service, there will be a celebration of both their lives back at the Grogan Funeral Home. Please join us as we remember these two very special people.The family suggests memorials to the charity of your choice, and in lieu of flowers, please plant something in your garden in their honor. Thank you. Grandpa was an amazing, strong, adventurous, and clever man with a beautiful soul, and a wise & caring husband, father, and grandfather, who adored his family, friends, & the great outdoors. Ludvik's presence and his incredible stories will truly be missed, but his spirit, smile, & wisdom will live forever in our hearts. Thank you for taking such good care of all of us...We love you Grandpa! Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
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