Rudolph Sabo

Dad was a man who loved his children deeply. I was his sidekick--I tagged along with him on all his errands and tasks when I was a child. We'd sing silly songs along the way. Dad always made time for me, whether to talk, help with homework, or watch a sunset.

Dad protected me when I was vulnerable. He supported and guided me and always had my back. Dad worked hard to make the world a better place for me. He taught me to value doing my best over being the best.

I am a daughter who is very thankful for the man who was my Dad. I will love, respect, and honor him for as long as I live and, when I'm feeling blue because he is gone, I will remember his smile and the twinkle in his eyes and the wonderful memories we shared.

Friend Trudi,
Reading these memories of your Dad's teaching days, reminds me of my Dad's and how respected and instrumental they were to their students that they loved. Your heart is full of grief but in time, these memories will steer you towards those joyful times of a life well-lived. Parents are special in our lives and I think of mine everyday.

Vel, Helen and girls - Coach was my patient, mentor and friend from high school until his passing. There is no one I respected more or looked forward to seeing. He shared flies, vegetables and an amazing smile with me for so many years. There will never be another like him! What a privilege to to have been a part of his life. My love and sympathy are yours.

There are some people you meet that you will never forget in which Rudy happens to be. He was so full of life, happy and energetic. His energy and happiness changed all of those he met, especially me. His greatest love was his Val, he would just light up when you came in the room. We are all blessed to have him in our lives, and will forever be changed by him. What a gift.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

I was Rudy's Special friend 5 days a week, he brought so much happiness to me! The kindest most gentleman I have ever had the privilege to work with! God puts people in places that just
Fit, and we surly did.
My Sincere condolences to his wife Vel and to the rest of the family, a Remarkable Man that has empacted my life! Love and hugs to you my dear friend!

Rudi was my Wrestling Coach in 1969 and I remember many wrestling trips with him. He was a great teacher and friend. He was always there with an encouraging word. He was an all around Great Guy. Please accept my condolences.

Great Math teacher, and an inspiration to a farm boy from Fairfield MT. Because of Rudi, Mr. Sabo followed a 40 year teaching and coaching career. Thanks for all the good time 1952,53,54. We will miss you. Student Mirl Gratton

Mrs. Sabo, you and Mr. Sabo were my two favorite teachers at GFHS! I didn't know math could be fun until I took his classes. He was such a treat! I really enjoyed the English classes I took from you too! I learned so much. Vocabulary was my favorite!
I always thought the two of you were such a special couple! I'm so glad you had so many wonderful years together! You and your family are in my prayers.

*

When I think of teachers that have impacted my life, Mr. Sabo is in the top of my list. He made such a huge difference to so many, and I like to think I was a special one, but knowing Mr. Sabo, I am sure many feel this same way. He made high school math doable...he spent endless hours helping me after school, telling me to believe in myself and helping me to "get it." He always had a smile and a word of encouragement. I can honestly say I became a teacher myself because I knew what a difference he had on me. I wanted to be able to do the same. He was an incredible man. I'm so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Sabo (another of my favorites!) and the rest of his family.
Marni Napierala (McMullen).

As a long-time friend and teaching colleague of Rudi and Velma, I send my love and my most sincere sympathy in the passing of one so very dear, so very special...To know Rudi was to know an exceptional individual...remarkable in so many different ways...Kind, affectionate, loyal, witty, humorous, devoted...and so very committed to his many endeavors. Rudi was so well-regarded by his former students...an indication of his superb teaching skills and his caring demeanor. Many a lovely memory I harbor...of special times spent with this endearing pair, Rudi and Vel...My thoughts and prayers surround you, Vel, and the countless souls who will always carry our Rudi in their hearts...

Mr. Sabo was a great math teacher. He showed great patience and wit, and treated his students with respect. He was one of my favorite teachers at Great Falls High.

Today I celebrate the life of my father's younger brother, Rudy Sabo. Uncle Rudy died on Tuesday, April 12th in Billings, Montana. He was a scholar and a gentleman and a beloved math teacher and wrestling coach at Great Falls High School for decades. I loved him so much as he always lifted me up with his humor and positive comments.

When Mom went into labor with me, Uncle Rudy had borrowed Dad's car to go on a date. My Dad started walking home on December 26th from Rainbow Dam where he was working for Montana Power Company, when Uncle Rudy found him and gave him a ride home.

When I asked Uncle Rudy when he would retire he said, "I would like to die with a piece of chalk in my hand." Surely there is a special place in heaven for an exquisite teacher like my Uncle Rudy.

My condolences to Vel and family. Mr. Sabo was by far one of the greatest influences in my life. I had him for 10th-12th grade and I made sure that I had him each year. I still talk about him standing on chairs saying he was going to fly and our cookies parties when we would beg him to bring Banana Dream Drops. I graduated in 1991 and years later I went back to visit him, as I peaked in his door he had a class and stopped teaching to chat with only to open his locker in his classroom to show that he still had a picture of me when I was five that had been photocopied all over the school for my 16th birthday. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed!!!

Rudy was my math teacher at Great Falls High School. He always used to say that you should sketch those curves "smooth as a baby's bottom." This was way back in 1979, and here I am today, teaching high school math, partly because of my great experiences in high school math class with Mr. Sabo. Holly Rohrbach

My condolences to the Vel and all of the Sabo family. His obituary was sad to read but it was a perfect way to say goodbye to a wonderful man. I have 3 years of HS memories and it all started with Trig in 10th grade. Oh, how I remember him and how good of a teacher he was. More so, my locker was right outside his home room all those years. I loved getting there early to hang out if just for a bit to say hello. His smile and humor were contagious. Because of him, I even tried wrestling one year but that lasted just two weeks. Not my cup of tea and have been knocking it ever since. Stopped by GFHS often until he retired. Must have been in '93 when I showed him I still remembered my locker number and combination. I enjoyed the shock on his face some 13 years after graduation. Now I am an educator myself and know the good feeling of helping students too. God Bless you Mr. Sabo! Rest in Peace.

My condolences to the Vel and all of the Sabo family. His obituary was sad to read but it was a perfect way to say goodbye to a wonderful man. I have 3 years of HS memories and it all started with Trig in 10th grade. Oh, how I remember him and how good of a teacher he was. More so, my locker was right outside his home room all those years. I loved getting there early to hang out if just for a bit to say hello. His smile and humor were contagious. Because of him, I even tried wrestling one year but that lasted just two weeks. Not my cup of tea and have been knocking it ever since. Stopped by GFHS often until he retired. Must have been in '93 when I showed him I still remembered my locker number and combination. I enjoyed the shock on his face some 13 years after graduation. God Bless you Mr. Sabo! Rest in Peace. Courtney Young

What a wonderful man. He will be missed.

What a wonderful man. He will be missed.

I was on the Great Falls High wrestling team bus in 1972 when it was announced that this would be Coach Sabo's final season as head coach. There wasn't a dry eye on the bus. That was enought to propel our team to the State Championship and produce (2) more state champion wrestlers. Dale Muzzana and Mark Hoard.
Coach, thank you for all the guidance, support and love you showed all of us. You were a true champion.

Bart Alexander
Team Student Manager

We can celebrate a life so well-lived. What a lovely man! Helen McLeavy

Dear Vel and to the rest of Rudi's family,
My sincerest condolences in your loss. Rudy was always one of my favorite faculty members: unfailingly kind, generous, and a fabulous teacher to many, among whom was my own daughter. His great laugh, his twinkling eyes, and his obvious love of life will live in my memories. I hope that your shared love and memories will sustain you in the months to come.