Rupert Leroy Stanley

Rupert Leroy Stanley passed away peacefully in his sleep, as he wanted, on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. Born in Missoula on Dec. 15, 1933, to Esther and Eugene Stanley, Rupert grew up in Missoula and talked fondly of going to sporting events with his dad which started a love for watching all sports. From an early age, hunting, camping and fishing were his favorite pastimes. His love of the outdoors was passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Later in life, his love of prospecting took him many places in search of gems and artifacts and eventually to the Yukon in search of the mother lode. He shared his knowledge to anyone that was interested, attending school functions to teach kids how to pan for gold. In 2014 he was awarded the prospector of the year award in Orofino, Idaho, where he lived on the banks of the Clearwater River that was full of the salmon he loved to fish for.

In 1951 he married Betty Walters and together they had three children. He was employed by Missoula White Pine and Sash for 30 years, where he was the best self-taught log scaler around. Rupert and Betty later divorced and in 1970 he married Wanda Hansen, which brought eight children to the family.

He was preceded in death by both of his wives; his parents, who he saw in a vision, a few days earlier waiting for him; his two sisters, Sharon and Delores; and his grandson, Leroy Stanley.

He is survived by his brother Elmer Stanley (Dawn) of Missoula; his three children, Eugene (Donna) Stanley, Kathleen Seher and Karla (Clay) Copenhaver, all of Missoula. Also surviving are his stepchildren, Gene (Karen) Hansen, Carol (Jay) Reith, Ernie (Patty) Hansen, Chuck Hansen, Tim (Anita) Hansen, Cathie (Jim) Hinds, Marlene (Chris) Tripp and Ronald (Brenda) Hansen. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A special blessing was given to us all as we witnessed him being baptized by a longtime friend, Jim Brown, on Saturday, April 23, and we know he was at peace for his next journey.

A service will be held on Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway, Missoula. A private burial will be at the Missoula Cemetery at a later date. His three children will each spread some of his ashes at his favorite places where they all have fond memories of spending time with him, Clearwater River, the Big Hole Valley and Arizona. In lieu of flowers it would make him happy to have all donations be made to the Northwest Gold Prospectors Association of Clearwater Chapter PO Box 1450 Orofino, ID 83544 to keep the love of gold mining alive to future generations.


Read Rupert Stanley's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.