Darold Rath

Darold Duane Rath, 70, passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, surrounded by his family. Darold lived with Stage IV kidney cancer for nearly eight years after being diagnosed in December of 2004.

Darold was born on January 13, 1942, in Pettibone, ND, to William and Marie (Schwindt) Rath. He was raised and educated in Pettibone, and graduated from Pettibone High School in 1959. Darold joined the U.S. Navy in 1959. He attained the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer as an airborne Radar Man. Darold flew barrier squadron flights from Midway Island to the Aleutian Chain and back, as part of the distant early warning system. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1963. Darold then attended Bismarck Junior College from 1963-1964.

On May 29, 1964, Darold married Lyla Sandberg at Pettibone, ND. Darold and Lyla moved to Grand Forks, ND, where he attended the University of North Dakota from 1964-1967. He was a member of Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting fraternity. Darold graduated Suma Cum Laude with a degree in accounting in January of 1967.

Darold began employment as a staff accountant with Eide, Helmeke, Boelz & Pasch on February 1, 1967. He was elected Managing Partner of Eide Helmeke in 1983. He was elected Managing Partner of Eide Bailly on May 1, 1998. He was also past Council President at Hope Lutheran Church, and was involved in the UND Alumni Association, AICPA, NDCPA, and was a Dale Carnegie instructor. He was a board member of Wellspring for the World, raising money to dig fresh water wells in Africa. In 2003, Darold was named Business Innovator of the Year from the Center of Innovation at UND. In 2008 he received the Sioux Award from the UND Alumni Association. In 2011 he was inducted into the Department of Accountancy Hall of Fame at UND.

While Darold was very successful in the business world and a mentor to many, he was a very humble man. His greatest love was for his family. Together they built many memories, especially during summers at their beloved lake cabin on Pelican Lake. Darold was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and was chosen to be a Godfather eight times. Darold enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Darold is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lyla, Fargo; daughter, Stephenie (Mark) Herbranson, of Moorhead; grandchildren Rachel and Matthew Herbranson, Moorhead; brother, Billy (Bernice) Rath, Jamestown, ND; sister, Doris Rohde, Garland, Texas; sister-in-law Sandra Rath, Bismarck, ND; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Mitchell Rath; his parents, William and Marie Rath; and brothers, Roy Rath and Elmer Rath.

Memorials may be given to Hope Lutheran Church Foundation, Wellspring for the World, and Hospice of the Red River Valley

Darold's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm