Navy Vet Who Had Jaw Torn off by Bear Emotionally Thanks Public for 'Overwhelming Kindness'
Rudy Noorlander wrote down answers to questions during a press conference, sharing, “Only by the hands of God am I here”
Megan Nielsen/The Deseret News via AP
Rudy Noorlander gives two thumbs up at a press conference with his daughter, Ashley Noorlander, left, and surgeon to speak about his recovery from a grizzly bear attack at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.A Navy veteran who survived a horrific bear attack in Montana last month said he’s grateful for the “overwhelming kindness” he received from the public.
Rudy Noorlander, 61 — who was joined by his daughters, Ashley Noorlander and KateLynn Norlander-Davis, and surgeon Hilary McCray — wrote down answers to questions during a press conference posted to Facebook by University of Utah Health on Friday.
“Only by the hands of God am I here,” Noorlander wrote. “I’ve had a lot of inspirations and I felt the need to share my story with others and, believe it or not, I believe that this attack was an answer to my prayers and that it could potentially help somebody else going through something similar.”
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“My first bear encounter was when I was ten,” he wrote, noting that he has a mangled left knee from that experience. "I will win round two.”
After the bear attack, Noorlander was taken to University of Utah Health, where he had three surgeries — including a “complete jaw reconstruction” — over the course of five weeks, the Salt Lake City-based research and academic hospital posted to Facebook.
“Rudy’s accident has attracted interest and well-wishes from around the world,” the post continued. “Through perseverance and positivity, he is now on the road to recovery and will soon head back home to family and his dog, Sully, in Montana. Rudy, his daughters, and his care team will share more details about the attack, his healing journey, and his plans for the future.”
Courtesy KateLynn Davis
Rudy Noorlander in the hospital following a surgery on his jaw.On Sept. 6, a member of the hunting party assisted by Noorlander called 911 just after 1:45 p.m. local time. They told Madison County Dispatch that "an individual had been attacked by a grizzly bear while tracking a deer" on the Yellow Mule Trail, according to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team's (GCSSAR) news release.
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In a GoFundMe campaign that has collected almost $64,000 for her father’s recovery, KateLynn said that the hunting party hired Noorlander’s company, Alpine Adventures in Big Sky, "to rent out some of his ATVs.”
"After hearing that the hunters killed but were unable to find a deer, Rudy being the Good Samaritan that he is decided to help them search for it," his daughter wrote. "He had tracked a deer but it turns out it was not the deer the hunters had shot."
Megan Nielsen/The Deseret News via AP
Rudy Noorlander is joined by his daughters Ashley Noorlander, left, and KateLynn Noorlander Davis, right, and his surgeon Hilary McCrary as they speak about Noorlander's recovery from a grizzly bear attack at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.Noorlander encountered a 10-foot-tall grizzly bear after trying to scare away another adult bear, KateLynn shared. After his gun misfired, the second bear, which was “far more aggressive” than the first, “lunged” at him, according to the post.
KateLynn said that her father attempted to hit the bear "in hopes of slowing it down,” but the animal overpowered the veteran.
Noorlander suffered multiple wounds from the attack, including “a large scratch down his right chest,” and bites to his limbs. His lower jaw was ripped off following what he later described as “the most disgusting french kiss of his life,” per the GoFundMe page.
Go Fund Me
Rudy Noorlander attacked by grizzly bear in Montana.KateLynn wrote that "the hunters were there to scare the bear away" before calling for help. Noorlander stayed on the ground for two hours "while still fully conscious" until emergency personnel arrived.
GCSSAR said in the press release that he was transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center via Life Flight Helicopter.
Noorlander underwent “an initial surgery” before traveling to University of Utah Hospital, per the GoFundMe page. Katelynn added in the fundraiser that her father is the "bravest and strongest man I know."
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