A 72-year-old Missouri man died after a falling rock crashed through the roof of a Jeep traveling through Glacier National Park in Montana. The incident occurred July 11 along the Rimrocks section of Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic route known for steep terrain and towering rock faces. Rex Schowengerdt was airlifted to a nearby hospital with a catastrophic brain injury and died five days later. His family said his organs and tissues were donated, helping restore the vision of two people.
| 1) | The rockfall on Going-to-the-Sun Road |
| 2) | The victim’s injuries and death |
| 3) | A family vacation interrupted by tragedy |
| 4) | The accidental death ruling and donation |
| 5) | Rockfall risks along the alpine highway |
The rockfall on Going-to-the-Sun Road
The incident happened during the afternoon of July 11, 2026, at the Rimrocks area of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Schowengerdt was riding in a hardtop Jeep with his wife when a rock fell from the surrounding mountain terrain and pierced the vehicle’s roof. The debris struck him in the head while his wife sat beside him.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a popular approximately 50-mile scenic highway through the park. Its route includes sharp curves, narrow lanes, steep drop-offs and large rock faces, creating a setting where falling debris can present a danger to passing vehicles.
The victim’s injuries and death
Rex Schowengerdt, a grandfather from Missouri, suffered what his family described as a catastrophic brain injury. Emergency responders transported him by helicopter from the mountain to a nearby hospital, where he spent several days in intensive care.
According to his daughter, Amy Prince, the family later faced end-of-life decisions. Schowengerdt died on July 16, five days after the rockfall, with his wife and daughter holding his hand. His son, sister and brother-in-law were also nearby, according to the family’s account.
A family vacation interrupted by tragedy
Schowengerdt had traveled to Glacier National Park with his wife of 50 years, his sister and his brother-in-law. The family had planned a nostalgic trip to revisit places that held meaning for them, and Prince said her father had begun the journey with great enthusiasm.
“While riding in a hardtop Jeep on Going-to-the-Sun Road, a falling rock came through the roof and struck my dad as my mom sat beside him and witnessed the entire heartbreaking moment.”
Prince said the family was notified when her mother called from the mountain. She described her father as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother who valued adventure, nature and time with his family.
The accidental death ruling and donation
The Flathead County Coroner’s Office ruled Schowengerdt’s manner of death accidental. His family said they ultimately chose cremation because the cost of bringing him home from Montana was too high, and they hope to establish a memorial in his name.
Despite their grief, the family learned that Schowengerdt’s eyes and tissues were suitable for donation. Prince said his wife later received a letter from World Vision stating that the donation helped restore the vision of two people. She described that outcome as a small measure of comfort during the family’s loss.
Rockfall risks along the alpine highway
Going-to-the-Sun Road carries millions of visitors safely through Glacier National Park, but the route passes through steep alpine terrain where rocks and other debris can fall. Such material can damage vehicles and cause serious injuries, as demonstrated by the July incident.
The accident also underscored the unpredictable hazards associated with traveling beneath exposed mountain slopes. Schowengerdt’s family expressed gratitude to the rescuers and the staff at Logan Hospital who cared for him after he was airlifted from the park.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A rock pierced a Jeep roof on Going-to-the-Sun Road on July 11. |
| 2 | Rex Schowengerdt suffered a catastrophic brain injury and died five days later. |
| 3 | The Flathead County Coroner’s Office classified the death as accidental. |
| 4 | His donated eyes and tissues helped restore the vision of two people. |
| 5 | The scenic road is exposed to rockfall because of its steep alpine surroundings. |
Summary
The death of Rex Schowengerdt followed an unusual rockfall accident during a family trip through Glacier National Park. The July 11 debris strike caused fatal injuries despite an emergency helicopter evacuation and hospital treatment. His family is mourning his death while honoring his legacy through tissue donation and plans for a memorial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the accident happen?
It happened at the Rimrocks area of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana.
When did Rex Schowengerdt die?
He died on July 16, 2026, five days after the rock struck the Jeep on July 11.
How was the death classified?
The Flathead County Coroner’s Office ruled that the manner of death was accidental.
Did Schowengerdt’s donation help others?
His family said his donated eyes and tissues helped restore the vision of two people.
