Randy Joseph Trosper, 55, of Polson, died peacefully of natural causes at home on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, after a short battle with heart disease, cancer, and additional complications. Although he lost the battle, he fought it with courage and his innate good humor. Randy was born in the old Catholic hospital in St. Ignatius on March 12, 1954, to Alice Stockton Trosper and George Lester Trosper. He was the youngest of six children, making him the guinea pig for many childhood adventures and experiments while growing up at Kerr Dam. Randy was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He attended Polson public schools, graduating from Polson High School in 1972. During that time he worked at Safeway. He attended Flathead Valley Community College after graduation, fighting wildfires for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes during the summer to finance his education. He then completed a truck driving school. He joined the U.S. Army in 1978. Randy began his military career as a draftsman and was trained later as a nuclear weapons advisor specialist, serving three overseas tours in Germany and Greece. He attained the rank of sergeant first class and was honorably discharged in June 1992. Randy attended Salish Kootenai College, graduating with an associate s degree. In September 2001, he began work at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department as a fisheries technician while pursuing a fisheries biology degree through the University of Montana. Randy was employed with the Tribes Water Quality Program beginning January 2003 until his much too early death. Randy was proud of his cultural heritage and was a very active member of the Veteran Warrior Society, often traveling out of state and to Canada for pow-wows and life celebration ceremonies. Randy thoroughly enjoyed and loved his nine nieces and nephews and their children. He was a history buff and an avid reader with varied interests. Randy was married and divorced twice. He was preceded in death by his father, Lester; sister, Lynda; and grandparents. He is survived by his mother, Alice; and siblings, Danna Hurtt and Richard, Eldeana Davis, Brad Trosper and Marilyn, and Leslee Dickson and Buz; two aunts; one uncle; and numerous cousins. Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. today, Oct. 28, at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., in Polson. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 Fourth Ave. E., in Polson, with Rev. Paul Rowold officiating. Military graveside services will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. A reception will be held at VFW Post 2986 after the services. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home of Polson is assisting the family.