Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Dalpra

Rudy was born in Crystal Falls, on March 1, 1934, to Rudolph G. Dalpra and Anna W. (Martinson) Dalpra.

He attended the Crystal Falls schools, graduating from high school with the class of 1952. Just weeks after graduation, he joined the service, serving for four years (July of 1952-July of 1956) in the U.S. Air Force Security Services.

Following his discharge, he joined the staff of The Diamond Drill, and on Oct. 8, 1955, he married the former Doreen Mackie. They made their home in Safford in 1975 and had one son, Brian, of Crystal Falls. Doreen passed away in 2021.

Rudy served two tenures as the editor for the Eastern Arizona Courier and two years as executive director of the Safford-Graham County Chamber of Commerce. He later founded a quick print and office supply business, The Source, which he sold upon retirement in 1996.

Rudy eventually returned to Crystal Falls where he became editor and publisher of The Diamond Drill and was active in community affairs, serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Crystal Falls City Council and Crystal Falls/Forest Park Board of Education, the Crystal Falls Municipal Hospital Board, various education-related study committees, and the Iron County Tax Allocation Board.

He was a member and served as secretary of the Upper Peninsula Newspaper Association and was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. Rudy was also a member of the First Lutheran (now United Lutheran) junior and senior choirs and was the director of the junior choir for several years.

Throughout his long absence from his native community, Dalpra maintained an active interest in its affairs and supported various community causes, including the construction of a new hospital, the Forest Park High School, the conversion of the Crystal Inn into a long term care facility, the restoration of the Crystal Theatre, and the development of the Harbor House Museum.

Rudy’s remains have been interred in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls.

Memorials may be made in his memory.

Condolences to the family of Rudy Dalpra may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net

The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with arrangements.