Ivan Rudd

Ivan Rudd

January 6, 1927 ~ September 27, 2016

Ivan Rudd passed away peacefully on September 27, 2016.

He was born on January 6, 1927 in Carey, Idaho.  He was the youngest of eight children.  He served in the army and was stationed in Germany during the Berlin airlift, where he met the love of his life, Liz Hostinek.  They were married 67 years.

Ivan made his home in Ogden for over 68 years. He was employed by Utah Power and Light for 34 years.  At night we would take classes and eventually became an Electrical Engineer.  He designed the electrical systems for most of Ogden’s businesses including the old Ogden City Mall and ran power to Powder Mountain for night skiing, just to name a few.

Ivan was very active in the community and provided leadership to several organizations. He served on the board of Ogden’s Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Ogden’s Executive Club, and on the board of the Weber Basin Homebuilders Association.

He became an assistant Girl Scout leader, by supporting Liz who was the troop leader.  Wanting the Girl Scouts to have a camp to go to during the summer, he convinced other leaders to help him renovate Camp Redcliff in South Fork Canyon making it possible for young Girl Scouts to encounter their first experience away from home in a safe and fun environment.

Ivan became a “rock hound” in 1958 and this passion grew over the years.  Rock hunting in surrounding areas was always at the top of his travel list.  He also got into lapidary, which he later taught at Weber State College, Golden Hour Center, and Union Station workshops.  He became interested in creating unique jewelry.  Finding objects from nature such as seaweed, bark from a tree the ants had eaten, insects, various minerals, and rock specimens, etc. and would create jewelry by casting the object in sterling silver.  Later he learned to facet gemstones and incorporated the stones in his jewelry as well.  He became President of the Golden Spike Gem and Mineral Society, President of the Northwest Federation, and later was chairman of the Gem & Mineral American and International Federation.  He was instrumental in bringing the International Gem Show to Ogden in 1977, which was the largest event ever held at Weber State College.  He introduced Ogden residents to the excitement of being a rock hound.

He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Union Station Development Corporation making numerous improvements to the historic landmark as well as acquiring locomotives from various railroads for the yard, relocating a classic car collection, and moving the iconic water tower to its present location.  During his time on the board, a discussion between Ogden City and the Union Station Development Corp was to design and build a tourist train that could take people from Union Station to destinations within Ogden.  Having just retired from Utah Power & Light, Ivan took on the task of building the 100’ train named “The Jupiter.”  It is still on the streets of Ogden today.

In 1989 Ivan and a few members of the Gem and Mineral Society built showcases for exhibits and created the Ogden Natural History Museum. The collection was an enhancement for Union Station visitors and later became an addition to the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park.  Tourists and busloads of students are exposed daily to the wonders nature created in minerals and gemstones.

Ivan was very committed to family, friends and community.

He is survived by his two daughters, Beverly and Stephanie, and granddaughter Kimberly.

Private services were held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at the Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park.  Services entrusted to Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary.