Rudolph "Rudy" Frick

Rudolph (Rudy) Ferdinand Frick was born November 1st, 1924, in Vorderthal, Switzerland to Rudolph A. and Caroline L. Frick, their first born. In 1928, at age 4 he immigrated with his parents and younger sister Rosa to Billings, Montana. Growing up farming and ranching in Montana in the 1930’s was not an easy life, but it toughened Rudy and taught him the value of hard work and determination, traits that would serve him well throughout his long life. In 1941 prior to his 17th birthday, Rudy dropped out of high school to join his father in a search for employment in Portland, Oregon. This endeavor proved successful, and they were soon joined by his mother, sister, and 3-year-old brother, Ron. The family settled into a converted schoolhouse near Camas, WA. The new life was soon interrupted by the start of WWII and Rudy joined the Marine Corps shortly after his 18th birthday in 1942. After basic training at Camp Pendleton, California, Rudy volunteered to join the elite Marine Raiders. After further training he shipped out for combat duty in the South Pacific where he made his first landing on his 19th birthday at Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. He was wounded in his right knee, earning the Purple Heart Medal. He recovered and returned to active duty with landings on Emiru, Guam and Okinawa. He finished his Marine Corps career as a member of the 1st occupation forces in Tokyo. Upon returning to the states and civilian life, Rudy obtained his GED and US citizenship. He then utilized the GI bill to go to college, graduating from the University of Oregon with a business degree. During his college years he met and married Esther Prewett. Their union produced three children, Marilee Susan, Rudolph Donald, and Thomas Ramiro. After graduation Rudy took a position as a department manager with Sears Roebuck and Company. Following his time at Sears, Rudy became a classification and value specialist for US Customs Service. This took him to the Seattle area and then to Blaine, WA., where he spent the majority of his 26-year career, retiring as Assistant Port Director. Shortly after moving to the Blaine area, Rudy and Esther purchased their 40-acre farm on the Blaine Road, seven miles south of town. They enjoyed many years of farming, gardening, and raising registered Hereford cattle and horses. During these years Rudy was, in addition to being a government official and gentleman farmer, very active in his church, 4-H club, water association, volunteer fire department, cattlemen’s association, and Blaine Peace Arch Kiwanis. Unfortunately, the good times at the farm came to an end with the loss of his beloved Esther, losing a battle with cancer and passing at age 51. The next two years were hard and lonely for Rudy, culminating with a stroke that was a wake-up call. He began by walking for rehabilitation, starting with short walks and working up to 4 miles a day. This led him to an interest in road bicycling that pursued with typical Rudy enthusiasm. Being retired, he now had time to do custom farming, and spending a lot of time helping his son Don build his house. He has a renewed zest for life. He met and married his second wife, Mary Johnson. This became a new phase in Rudy’s life, the farm was sold, and they bought their home on the Matz Road in Ferndale. Rudy continued his busy lifestyle with wood carving, bee keeping, gardening, accordion playing, staying active with the Kiwanis, and as a member of the Mt Baker Toppers. It was also at this time that he joined his wife Mary by becoming a member of the Mormon Church. Rudy maintained his active lifestyle into his nineties, his busy life finally slowing down after so many years of perpetual motion. In his final years enjoying the pleasures of a warm fires and a more leisurely lifestyle. Rudy passed away peacefully on Monday, January 10, 2022, after a short bout with pneumonia, just a few months after his wife, Mary, preceded him. He is preceded in death by 1st wife of 33 years, Esther, and 2nd wife of 36 years, Mary. Rudy is survived by daughter Marilee Wolten, sons Don and Tom Frick, 4 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, Mary’s 4 children: Martain, Michael, Mary Laura, and Matthew, and their children. Rest in peace Rudy A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2550 Thornton Rd. Ferndale, WA) Please share your memories of Rudy in his online guestbook.