Griz gridder passing (60s player)

[bigtyme]

If you had a week, i could tell you about Luke: It started in the second grade at Central,, and we were inseparable, along with Roy Lynn through college. . Hearing of his passing just verifies the old saying that bad news come in threes'..My golfing buddy, My wife and now jerry. If he had dementia, it is because he would knock your tail in the dirt.. He was a real Friend without reservation. Period . My sincere condolences to the family and FYI, We sang (Up with Montana boys ,hundreds of times} This news is very ,very upsetting. John Matte

I would love hearing some of the stories and would love my boys to hear the G rated versions, which I doubt there are many.

 

[Spanky2]

Jerry, Mike Hogarty and I used to work out running in Billings. Jerry was working for the State of Montana at the time. He had tremendous strength and stamina and always wanted to sprint the last 50 yards or so. Mike and I stayed up with Jerry, but it wasn’t easy.

 

[PlayerRep]

Feel free not to answer any of this, but what did he die of? Was it dementia related? He must have been a few years under 80. What was his playing weight? All-conference is very good. It seems that he got great enjoyment in his life by becoming a big fan after his playing days.

My dad was 81 and he played around 210 lbs I believe. We drove to every home game from Helena when I was growing up and I attended with him until my family started growing and his confusion increased and tolerance for crowds decreased. He went to just about every HS and UM Lady Griz game he could find and was a staple at games when he moved back to Missoula in early 2000s.

Thx. I goofed up the age calculation. Despite the confusion, it looks like he had a good run and gave it his all. If you do a tribute on Griz vision at a game next fall, let us know. So we can watch and perhaps give a cheer.

 

[tourist]

Dementia is what it is, despite etiology. I have personal and professional experience upon which to refer. It's a sad end, but the up side is the victim is the last to know. My condolences to the family. :thumb:

 

[bigtyme]

If you had a week, i could tell you about Luke: It started in the second grade at Central,, and we were inseparable, along with Roy Lynn through college. . Hearing of his passing just verifies the old saying that bad news come in threes'..My golfing buddy, My wife and now jerry. If he had dementia, it is because he would knock your tail in the dirt.. He was a real Friend without reservation. Period . My sincere condolences to the family and FYI, We sang (Up with Montana boys ,hundreds of times} This news is very ,very upsetting. John Matte

Mike, thank you for your kind words and my condolences to you as well. If you are ever in Helena I would love to sit down and hear your stories. God bless you.

 

[NUTZ]

Luke was special, nobody tougher. loved the Lady Griz and was always in the crowd.RIP

 

[bigtyme]

Here is my dad's obituary.

https://gb774.app.goo.gl/Q8yyZ

Gerald (Jerry) T. Luchau, 81, passed from this life on February 15th, 2021 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Affectionately known as “Luke”, Jerry was born on November 3rd, 1939 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Herbert and Eva (Tripp) Luchau. He attended school in Deer River, Minnesota until heading west with the Luchau family in the 4th Grade, settling in Missoula and attending Franklin Elementary, Central Middle School, and Missoula County High School.

An athletic enthusiast, Jerry started honing his physical conditioning at the young age of nine years old, helping him excel as an athlete growing up, and eventually at Missoula County High School, in every sport he participated in. He continued to work out vigorously his whole life, promoting physical fitness as his primary motivator to stay strong mentally. Jerry (while married and then divorced) lived in Helena working for the State Health Department and later Lehrkind’s Coca-Cola. He was also a proud part-owner of Capital Courts in Helena, which later became known as Crossroads Sports and Fitness. Jerry was a staple at the health club in the afternoon working out and he took great pride in the family environment at the club. He moved back to Missoula in the early 2000s, the community he loved the most, and made it his final home.

Following a break after high school for work and to serve a brief stint in the US Army Reserves, Jerry attended the University of Montana to play football, lettering from 1962-1964, and “was one of the first Grizzlies to earn First-Team All-Big Sky Football Honors” (UM Athletic Department). He spent the rest of his life following all things Griz athletics, whether he was driving over from Helena with his son Ryan and their friends in the 80s and 90s, or driving locally to catch a game later in life.

In his prime, when Jerry wasn’t working, he could be found coaching youth sports teams, working out at Capital Courts/Crossroads, playing catch or shooting hoops, or watching a local youth game. He also enjoyed traveling and spending time with his best friends Gene Tripp (and cousin), Larry Petty, and Ron Zeiler. Jerry was loved by many and will be remembered as one of the old-school tough guys with a genuine love for family and friends.

Jerry passed away peacefully of natural causes with his son Ryan at his side while listening to the 1995 Grizzlies vs. Marshall Thundering Herd National Championship Football Game. The football field was his sanctuary, and this was the way that he found peace in his last day.

Jerry is survived by his sons Brad Luchau of Hutchinson, Kansas and Ryan Luchau (daughter-in-law Angela and grandchildren Gabby, Caden, Silas, and Emme) of Helena; Robert Clark III of Florence and Kim Sebens of Moab, UT (step-children); sister Darlene (Smith) and brother-in-law Dick; brother Ron Luchau and sister-in-law Raqiba; and eight nephews and nieces, as well as numerous Tripp family members from the greater Missoula area.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Eva; and sister Dolores Herron (husband Carol) and her four sons: Thomas, Michael, Richard, and Timothy.

Over the last several years, Jerry’s quality of life had been drastically reduced due to the ongoing set of dementia. To continue in the fight against Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and to honor Jerry by helping the medical community know more about dementia and the toll concussions and football take on the brain long-term, the family has donated brain tissue to Boston University School of Medicine CTE Center for continued research on the illness.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at the Missoula Alliance Church, where Jerry came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior, 100 E Foss Ct, Missoula, MT 59803 on Saturday, February 27th at 1:00pm. Friends and family are welcome to join in the celebration.

Condolences to the family can be sent to: The Luchau Family, 6035 Shawn Dr, Helena, MT 59602. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Jerry, the family asks that donations be sent in Jerry’s name to either The University of Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association (GSA, Adams Center 139, Missoula, MT 59812) to support student-athlete scholarships or Impact Montana (Impact Montana, PO Box 6061, Helena, MT 59604) to support Montana Service members and Veterans with brain injuries.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

Here is my dad's obituary.

https://gb774.app.goo.gl/Q8yyZ

Gerald (Jerry) T. Luchau, 81, passed from this life on February 15th, 2021 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Affectionately known as “Luke”, Jerry was born on November 3rd, 1939 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Herbert and Eva (Tripp) Luchau. He attended school in Deer River, Minnesota until heading west with the Luchau family in the 4th Grade, settling in Missoula and attending Franklin Elementary, Central Middle School, and Missoula County High School.

An athletic enthusiast, Jerry started honing his physical conditioning at the young age of nine years old, helping him excel as an athlete growing up, and eventually at Missoula County High School, in every sport he participated in. He continued to work out vigorously his whole life, promoting physical fitness as his primary motivator to stay strong mentally. Jerry (while married and then divorced) lived in Helena working for the State Health Department and later Lehrkind’s Coca-Cola. He was also a proud part-owner of Capital Courts in Helena, which later became known as Crossroads Sports and Fitness. Jerry was a staple at the health club in the afternoon working out and he took great pride in the family environment at the club. He moved back to Missoula in the early 2000s, the community he loved the most, and made it his final home.

Following a break after high school for work and to serve a brief stint in the US Army Reserves, Jerry attended the University of Montana to play football, lettering from 1962-1964, and “was one of the first Grizzlies to earn First-Team All-Big Sky Football Honors” (UM Athletic Department). He spent the rest of his life following all things Griz athletics, whether he was driving over from Helena with his son Ryan and their friends in the 80s and 90s, or driving locally to catch a game later in life.

In his prime, when Jerry wasn’t working, he could be found coaching youth sports teams, working out at Capital Courts/Crossroads, playing catch or shooting hoops, or watching a local youth game. He also enjoyed traveling and spending time with his best friends Gene Tripp (and cousin), Larry Petty, and Ron Zeiler. Jerry was loved by many and will be remembered as one of the old-school tough guys with a genuine love for family and friends.

Jerry passed away peacefully of natural causes with his son Ryan at his side while listening to the 1995 Grizzlies vs. Marshall Thundering Herd National Championship Football Game. The football field was his sanctuary, and this was the way that he found peace in his last day.

Jerry is survived by his sons Brad Luchau of Hutchinson, Kansas and Ryan Luchau (daughter-in-law Angela and grandchildren Gabby, Caden, Silas, and Emme) of Helena; Robert Clark III of Florence and Kim Sebens of Moab, UT (step-children); sister Darlene (Smith) and brother-in-law Dick; brother Ron Luchau and sister-in-law Raqiba; and eight nephews and nieces, as well as numerous Tripp family members from the greater Missoula area.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Eva; and sister Dolores Herron (husband Carol) and her four sons: Thomas, Michael, Richard, and Timothy.

Over the last several years, Jerry’s quality of life had been drastically reduced due to the ongoing set of dementia. To continue in the fight against Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and to honor Jerry by helping the medical community know more about dementia and the toll concussions and football take on the brain long-term, the family has donated brain tissue to Boston University School of Medicine CTE Center for continued research on the illness.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at the Missoula Alliance Church, where Jerry came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior, 100 E Foss Ct, Missoula, MT 59803 on Saturday, February 27th at 1:00pm. Friends and family are welcome to join in the celebration.

Condolences to the family can be sent to: The Luchau Family, 6035 Shawn Dr, Helena, MT 59602. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Jerry, the family asks that donations be sent in Jerry’s name to either The University of Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association (GSA, Adams Center 139, Missoula, MT 59812) to support student-athlete scholarships or Impact Montana (Impact Montana, PO Box 6061, Helena, MT 59604) to support Montana Service members and Veterans with brain injuries.

Really cool that you guys are doing that for CTE research, man. I don’t make many serious posts, but this is one of them. Seems like he had a great life, and I wish all of you well.

 

[ilovethecats]

Here is my dad's obituary.

https://gb774.app.goo.gl/Q8yyZ

Gerald (Jerry) T. Luchau, 81, passed from this life on February 15th, 2021 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Affectionately known as “Luke”, Jerry was born on November 3rd, 1939 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Herbert and Eva (Tripp) Luchau. He attended school in Deer River, Minnesota until heading west with the Luchau family in the 4th Grade, settling in Missoula and attending Franklin Elementary, Central Middle School, and Missoula County High School.

An athletic enthusiast, Jerry started honing his physical conditioning at the young age of nine years old, helping him excel as an athlete growing up, and eventually at Missoula County High School, in every sport he participated in. He continued to work out vigorously his whole life, promoting physical fitness as his primary motivator to stay strong mentally. Jerry (while married and then divorced) lived in Helena working for the State Health Department and later Lehrkind’s Coca-Cola. He was also a proud part-owner of Capital Courts in Helena, which later became known as Crossroads Sports and Fitness. Jerry was a staple at the health club in the afternoon working out and he took great pride in the family environment at the club. He moved back to Missoula in the early 2000s, the community he loved the most, and made it his final home.

Following a break after high school for work and to serve a brief stint in the US Army Reserves, Jerry attended the University of Montana to play football, lettering from 1962-1964, and “was one of the first Grizzlies to earn First-Team All-Big Sky Football Honors” (UM Athletic Department). He spent the rest of his life following all things Griz athletics, whether he was driving over from Helena with his son Ryan and their friends in the 80s and 90s, or driving locally to catch a game later in life.

In his prime, when Jerry wasn’t working, he could be found coaching youth sports teams, working out at Capital Courts/Crossroads, playing catch or shooting hoops, or watching a local youth game. He also enjoyed traveling and spending time with his best friends Gene Tripp (and cousin), Larry Petty, and Ron Zeiler. Jerry was loved by many and will be remembered as one of the old-school tough guys with a genuine love for family and friends.

Jerry passed away peacefully of natural causes with his son Ryan at his side while listening to the 1995 Grizzlies vs. Marshall Thundering Herd National Championship Football Game. The football field was his sanctuary, and this was the way that he found peace in his last day.

Jerry is survived by his sons Brad Luchau of Hutchinson, Kansas and Ryan Luchau (daughter-in-law Angela and grandchildren Gabby, Caden, Silas, and Emme) of Helena; Robert Clark III of Florence and Kim Sebens of Moab, UT (step-children); sister Darlene (Smith) and brother-in-law Dick; brother Ron Luchau and sister-in-law Raqiba; and eight nephews and nieces, as well as numerous Tripp family members from the greater Missoula area.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Eva; and sister Dolores Herron (husband Carol) and her four sons: Thomas, Michael, Richard, and Timothy.

Over the last several years, Jerry’s quality of life had been drastically reduced due to the ongoing set of dementia. To continue in the fight against Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and to honor Jerry by helping the medical community know more about dementia and the toll concussions and football take on the brain long-term, the family has donated brain tissue to Boston University School of Medicine CTE Center for continued research on the illness.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at the Missoula Alliance Church, where Jerry came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior, 100 E Foss Ct, Missoula, MT 59803 on Saturday, February 27th at 1:00pm. Friends and family are welcome to join in the celebration.

Condolences to the family can be sent to: The Luchau Family, 6035 Shawn Dr, Helena, MT 59602. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Jerry, the family asks that donations be sent in Jerry’s name to either The University of Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association (GSA, Adams Center 139, Missoula, MT 59812) to support student-athlete scholarships or Impact Montana (Impact Montana, PO Box 6061, Helena, MT 59604) to support Montana Service members and Veterans with brain injuries.

Great obit. As someone who has sadly helped write two, there is nothing more difficult. It was very well written.

Thoughts with you and yours right now and I know watching your griz this fall will bring some comfort.

Cheers.

 

[PlayerRep]

Yes, nice obit. The part about listening to the game at the end put a smile on my face. I don't recall meeting him, but may have, as I know some of the others who were mentioned. He passed 60 years and 1 day after my dad, who also played some for the Griz (in the 30's).