Rudolph Carl Domke

Rudolph Carl Domke passed away peacefully at his home on Chena Hot Springs Road surrounded by his family on the morning of March 2, 2010.

Rudy was born in Flushing, Mich., on April 7, 1936, to Alfred and Helen Domke. He was later joined by two sisters and two brothers. Rudy graduated from Flushing High School in 1954.

Rudy's life was characterized by an adventurous spirit that was evident when he drove to Alaska in a 1955 Chevrolet pulling a 27-foot house trailer with his new bride, Anne Margaret Hogan, after their wedding on May 9, 1959. He arrived with a new plumbing and steam fitting certificate hoping to find work in the trades, but they were all out on strike so he talked his way into a job at the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska.

He graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1970, with a degree in electronics. This job allowed him to travel all over Alaska, Hawaii and California as well as Canada. He loved his job and retired in 1988 after nearly 30 years in the electronics shop.

Rudy and Anne raised their family of three children on a homestead on Chena Hot Springs Road. After Anne passed away, he married Ruth Ann Green in 1982. 

His many interests and hobbies included square dancing, boating, hunting and fishing, and spending time at the Goodpaster River cabin. Rudy also enjoyed working on and restoring his old cars and tractors as a member of the Vernon L. Nash Antique Car Club, traveling with the WOKR Antique Car Club.

He loved spending time at the fishing pond in Indiana and gardening. Rudy spent many hours operating his HAM radio at call sign KL7FAL including during the 1967 flood. He served in the community as a member of the Tanana Valley Fair Board, Farmer's Home Administration, Master Gardeners, Square Dance Federation and many other service organizations.

Rudy was a devout Christian and a founding member of Zion Lutheran Church in Fairbanks where he later served the congregation as president. Rudy continued as an active member of Zion Lutheran Church until his passing.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Anne Margaret and brother Roger Domke.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Domke; children Kimberly (Bob) Walker, Daniel (Victoria) Domke, Theodore (Laurine) Domke; siblings Dale (Paula) Domke, Ruth Ann Schneider and Ilene (Harry) Turner; and many nieces and nephews.

He was loved and will be missed by his family and his adopted church families: Ed and Laura Gillen and their children, Sharon Gillen, Jamie Gillen, Tracy (Derek) Ward and Erica Ward; Dan and Kamryn Green and their children, Isaiah, Phelan, Anna and Benjamin.

The family is especially grateful to Dr. Carroll and his staff; Dr. Grauman, the IV Therapy staff at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital; Home Health Care FMH, and Hospice of Tanana Valley.

Contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Hospice of Tanana Valley. Visitation will be at the Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home on Friday March 5 from 6-8 p.m. The funeral will be on Saturday, March 6, starting at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 2982 Davis Road, with a reception following in the church.