Armand Henry Rath

Armand Henry “Sonny” Rath, 83, of Dubuque, IA passed away on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Unity Point Health, Finley Hospital. A private family gathering will be held at the funeral home with Military Honors being accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Armand was born on June 29, 1937, in Dubuque, IA the son of Henry Otto and Ruth E. (Gorman) Rath. He served in the Marines from 1956-1958 and was in the reserves until 1962. While in the Marines, Sonny was a paratrooper and a special field artillery battery man. He received many good conduct medals and a honorable discharge. He was also recommended for reenlistment.Prior to his military service, Sonny was a three-time Archery Champion and shot several “Robin Hoods”. His shot split the bulls eye arrow. He was active in archery to this day.

After his service he formed a Skydiving Club in Dubuque as well as a Judo Club and a Fast Draw Weaponry and Archery Club. Sonny would regularly compete with these activities and excelled in everything.

He was eventually encouraged to take his talents to Hollywood and did so. Sonny became a Stuntman for Warner Brothers Studio in Hollywood, CA. He took classes and studied acting at Carlsbad College. He would go on to teach actors such as Matt Dillon how to shoot and “The Lone Ranger” (Clayton Moore) how to draw. Sonny held a high record as a fast draw artist who could pull a Colt .45 and fire in 7/100th’s of a second. He became a parachute stuntman on the T.V. Series Ripcord and has over 2,000 parachute jumps.

Upon meeting and working with “The Lone Ranger”, he got unionized with the actors guild. Audy Murphy suggested he do a high fall to make some real money. So, he did, he took a high fall for Mission Impossible and continued from there. Sonny knew that experience and clear thinking was the key to doing these stunts.

We could spend many hours on our talented and wonderful brother and the adventures he so lovd. A few more movies and T.V. series he was in include, The High Chaparral, S.W.A.T., Yuma, Starsky and Hutch, Omega Man, The Virginian, The Lawman, Bonanza and Capricorn One.Sonny truly lived a life of adventure that only one can dream of. Upon retiring, he owned a Ferret Rescue in California, saving God’s little creatures for many years. He was a 6’4’’ gentle giant of a man with a sweet heart and spirit. We love and miss you brother. Having no children, Sonny always gathered his nieces, nephews and cousins as his children. They would share stories, go on trips and get ice cream every time he was back in Dubuque. They were always lined up and eager. To know him was to love him. Our loss, God’s gain.

Sonny is survived by his siblings, Ruth Rath-Rote, Judie (Jerry) Cottrell, Rita Rath-Cottrell, Thomas Rath and Dennis Rath.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Cecil, Henry, and Richard Rath; and a nephew, Anthony “Tony” Papin.

The Lord has washed Sonny’s Earthly pains and is in his arms in his forever life.

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