A family trip to Glacier National Park ended in tragedy when a falling rock crashed through the roof of a Jeep, fatally injuring a 72-year-old man. The incident occurred on July 11 along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic route known for its challenging terrain and steep rock faces.
Rex Schowengerdt, a resident of Missouri, was traveling with his wife of 50 years, his sister, and his brother-in-law when the rock fell. According to a statement from his daughter, Amy Prince, on a GoFundMe page, the rock struck Schowengerdt on his side of the vehicle, causing a catastrophic brain injury. He passed away five days later, on July 16, at a nearby hospital with his wife and daughter by his side.
The Flathead County Coroner's Office ruled the death accidental. Schowengerdt had been looking forward to revisiting places significant to his family during the trip.
Despite the profound grief, Schowengerdt's family made the decision to donate his eyes and tissues, which helped restore the vision of two individuals. This act brought a small measure of comfort to the family. Due to the cost of transporting his body from Montana, the family opted for cremation and plans to hold a memorial service.
Millions of visitors travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road annually without incident. However, the park's steep alpine environment is inherently susceptible to rockfall, which can pose risks to vehicles and their occupants.