The South Dakota Pilots Association promotes the active support of the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame through the SDPA newsletter.

The SD Aviation Hall of Fame is a non-profit South Dakota corporation with federal tax-exempt status, established to honor the pioneers and contributors to South Dakota aviation. Their history, accomplishment, impact on South Dakota, and memorabilia will be on display and available for inspection in the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame building to be located on the Black Hills Airport / Clyde Ice Field, Spearfish, SD.

If you know of someone from South Dakota who you believe would be a good nominee for the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame, please complete and submit the appropriate Nominee Application or contact Ted Miller at 605-642-0277.

• The Inductees
• The Home
• Building Fund
• Contacts
• Raffle
• Donated Aircraft
• Inductees in the Aviation Hall of Fame and the Combat Air Crew Memorial
• List of all Aviation Hall of Fame Inductees
• List of all Combat Air Crew Memorial Members
• Application Forms
  • South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame nominee form
  • Combat Air Crew Memorial nominee form
• Articles of Incorporation of South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame [PDF]
• Bylaws of the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame [PDF] 

The Inductees

Famous inductees such as Clyde Ice, Joe Foss, Duane Corning, Nellie Willhite, Charles Gemar, and more have been honored by the SD Aviation Hall of Fame.

Over 200 combat aircrew members have been inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame, and were residents of South Dakota who served their country with honor while flying combat tours in the many wars of the United States, from World War I to the present.

The Home

Presently, the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame, Inc. has an exhibit of Aviation Hall of Fame members and combat aircrew members at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, SD.

A new home (shown right, drawn by Claudette Miller) is planned in the future at the Black Hills / Clyde Ice Field, Spearfish, SD, to house the exhibit, aircraft, and memorabilia of the Hall of Fame members for future generations.

Building Fund

A building fund has been established and donations are solicited for this unique South Dakota institution. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. A contribution wall will be constructed and consist of plaques showing the donor’s name and section.

Building Fund Contributions

Contacts

South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame
Black Hills / Clyde Ice Field
424 Aviation Place
Spearfish, SD 57783
Phone 605-642-0277 (days)

President
Ted Miller
Black Hills Aero
424 Aviation Place
Spearfish, SD 57783
605-642-0277 (days)
Email: bha@mato.com

Vice President
Rich Krogstad
320 N. Tinton Road
Spearfish, SD 57783
Home 605-642-5385
Email: c21rich@mato.com

Board of Directors
Ted Miller, Spearfish
 Rich Krogstad, Spearfish
Pearl Gulbranson, Spearfish
Tami Schroeder, Brookings
Bobbie Potts, Gettysburg

Selection Committee
Ted Miller, Spearfish
Rich Krogstad, Spearfish
Bruce Bowen, Sturgis
Dwayne LaFave, DeSmet
Grove Rathbun, Rapid City
Denny Martens, Vermillion
Ken McGirr, Sturgis
Bobbie Potts, Gettysburg

Raffle
The SD Aviation Hall of Fame is searching for a “Light Sport Plane” to use in a fund-raising raffle.  If you know of a light sport plane like a J-3 Cub or PA-11, PLEASE contact Rich Krogstad at 605-642-5385 or email c21rich@mato.com, or Ted Miller at 605-642-0277 or email bha@mato.com -- at your earliest opportunity!! 

Once a plane has been secured for a Raffle, flyers about the raffle will be mailed through out the state and advertised in the newsletter of the South Dakota Pilots Association. 

Tentatively, a Raffle drawing will be held in mid-September.  Raffle tickets will probably cost $50 each.  MORE DETAILS LATER.  Make checks payable to the SD Aviation Hall of Fame, and mail to SD Aviation Hall of Fame, 424 Aviation Way, Spearfish, SD 57783.  Your raffle ticket will be mailed to you.  Need not be present to win.  Proceeds to the SD Aviation Hall of Fame, non-profit 503-C.

Donated Aircraft
If you have artifacts or an aircraft to donate to the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame, please contact Ted Miller.

Make & Model: Stits Playmate built by Henry Conrad Balcer
Year: 1968
N number: N6515
Donator: Charlotte Andersen, MD, Badger, SD
Location: Black Hills Aero, Black Hills Airport / Clyde Ice Field, Spearfish, SD

When my Dad started welding chromoly steel in our one-car garage, my 6 year-old eyes were wide with excitement -- this pile of metal was going to be our airplane?  I spent every evening with him "working" on the airplane.  I really could help with some things, like stitching the Dacron covered wings, but I'm sure he put up with my assistance, hoping that I would love it as much as he did.

It worked.

My Dad finished the Stits Playmate in just under 2 1/2 years, the fastest time to date for one to be finished.  N6515 was the first to fly after Ray Stits flew the prototype.  The Playmate made its first trip to Rockford, Illinois in 1969, coming home with a trophy. 

My Dad and I flew many more years to Oshkosh.  We had the airplane in parades, in malls, almost anywhere anyone invited us.  The folding-wing design made it easy for it to be transported as well as allowing it access to places where many other aircraft cannot go.

It had the engine updated early on to the Lycoming 150 hp, which gave it more power, and makes it quite a peppy little craft to fly.

Dad and I rebuilt the Playmate in 1990, giving it all new fabric, new interior, and new avionics.  This time I could participate much more fully, and my Dad and I had a wonderful time doing it together.   What a joy it was to receive the first Paul Poberezny Founders Award for classic custom homebuilt in Oshkosh in 1991. 

While flying with my Dad all those years, I got my license, graduated from medical school, completed my psychiatry residency, got a Skyhawk, and missed Oshkosh only twice in all those years.  I then married the most wonderful man, Art, a pilot, who lives in Badger...on SD19. 

My Dad died in 2002, and I want a place for the Playmate to live forever. 

Charlotte Andersen, M.D.
Badger, SD

Make & Model:  “Jeep” was designed & built by Ralph Burton
Year: 1941
N number:  N41664
Donator:  Burton family
Location:  stored in Rob Burton’s hangar at Custer County Airport

Information from Rob Burton (Hill City, SD) September 2008:  The “Jeep” was designed and built by Ralph Burton in 1941 at the old Alliance Airport, Alliance, NE.  Ralph was killed in the crash of a Beech Staggerwing near Philips, SD, on March 27, 1944, while carrying airmail between Cheyenne, Pierre, and Rapid City.  The plane was lashed to the top of a car and moved by Ivan Ellis from Alliance to Spearfish, SD.  The single seat plane had a Continental A-40-4 engine (salvaged from a wrecked Taylorcraft), 18-foot wingspan, and 12-foot overall length.  The parasol wing was adapted from a Taylorcraft airfoil and had modified Friese ailerons.  Newspaper accounts from 1941 report, “The plane takeoffs and lands at 55 miles per hour [and has reached speeds as high as 120 miles per hour].  Its cockpit is so small that the instrument panel is only a few inches from the pilot’s face, and the seat is recessed to permit the pilot to wear a parachute.”  The plane was called the “Jeep” after a popular air racer built by Art Chester.  Rob Burton (nephew of Ralph Burton) stored the dismantled plane in a garage for many years.  The plane was rebuilt for static display by Ivan Ellis in 1998-1999, and displayed at Black Hills Aero on Spearfish Airport in August 2002 at the time of the induction of Ralph Burton into the SD Aviation Hall of Fame.  

Inductees in the Aviation Hall of Fame and the Combat Air Crew Memorial

Two people were inducted into the SD Aviation Hall of Fame during ceremonies held at Black Hills Airport / Clyde Ice Field on September 8, 2012.

    Earle R. Geide was born on November 12, 1919, and grew up on the family farm near Canistota, SD. Following his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945, Earle purchased a Taylorcraft and soloed on November 27, 1945. In 1950, he purchased 160 acres of land near Hartford, SD, and carved out a portion of an alfalfa field as an east-west runway. Earle continues to fly from the farm strip in its same location today. From this farm for the next 62 years, Earle has been an advocate and leader in South Dakota agricultural aviation. In 1955, Earle and his wife Connie joined the South Dakota Flying Farmers and Ranchers as charter members. This brought affiliation with the International Flying Farmers and Ranchers and a 57-year history of representation and leadership in the organization. As well as an advocate for ag aviation, Earle was an early sponsor and mentor for South Dakota Flying Farmer teens in their pursuit of an aviation career. Through his 67 years of aviation in South Dakota, Earle has touched many lives in farming, ranching and aviation. He has been a teacher, a mentor, a servant leader, and an advocate for so many in agricultural aviation within the state. His inspiration and support of young people in their quest for a flying career has been profound. Earle Geide leaves a legacy of support for agricul¬tural aviation in South Dakota.
    Earle R. Geide was inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame, September 8, 2012, at Black Hills Airport / Clyde Ice Field.

   James Linsy Riggs was born August 20, 1937. His first solo was in October, 1953, at age 16, in a Cessna 140 in Pierre, SD, at Cecil Ice Flying School. At age 17 he bought his first airplane -- a Cessna 140. Jim received his private certificate at age 17, his commercial certificate at 18 as well as his instructor rating. In 1956 he was the flight instructor at South Dakota State College in Brookings, SD, as well as being the instructor for the ROTC program. In 1957 Jim completed the AG Spray School at SDSC. During his time as instructor at SDSC he logged 802.5 hours as instructor and soloed 30 students, of that total 22 were ROTC and earned Private Pilot certificates. The summer of 1957 he flew gliders in Switzerland.
     At age 21 Jim entered the military service where he logged 3,392 hours of flight time in various military aircraft.  During his military career he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and 19 Air Medals. After his military career in 1978, he retired as Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Marines.  
     Jim’s airline career started with Air West Airlines in 1969, in 1971 he flew for Remote Sensing in Brookings, SD, and in 1973 he was involved in Aerial Photography.  He retired from United Airlines in 1997.
     55 years after his first flight in Pierre, SD, his last flight took place in Pierre in his own Piper PA 28-181.      
     James Linsy Riggs was inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame September 8, 2012, at Black Hills Airport / Clyde Ice Field.

Nine people were inducted into the Combat Air Crew Memorial section of the SD Aviation Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Black Hills Airport / Clyde Ice Field, Spearfish, on September 8, 2012.

    Captain Donald G. Allen: Donald earned his pilot certificate while in ROTC at Colorado State College, Greeley, CO, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He flew 100 missions in the RF-4C Phantom II in Vietnam. He earned the Air Medal with seven oak clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
     Corporal Frank M. Higgins: Frank enlisted in June 17, 1943. In Sept 1944, he was sent to New Guinea where he flew seven missions as a top turret gunner in an A-2 attach bomber. On his last mission, his plane was shot down over Wewak, New Guinea on Nov 8, 1944, just after his 26th birthday. His plane was found in 1950 and his remained buried at Fort Snelling, MN.
     Captain Howard “Hod” R. Nielsen: Hod quit college and learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program at Yankton, SD, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in October 1941. He was a member of the First Reconnaissance Squadron and flew unarmed P-38s, unescorted, on photographic missions over occupied Europe prior to the invasion on D-Day. He was returned to the U.S. prior to the invasion and was debriefed at various “war rooms” located around the U.S. He earned the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
     1st Lieutenant Niels Robert “Bob” Nielsen, Jr.: Bob quit college and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps – going to flight school in Arizona in 1943 and earning his wings in early 1944. He lost his life in a bombing mission over the Ruhr Valley in Germany on Oct 3, 1944, just two days after his 22nd birthday. He earned the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster.
     Captain Roy Nielsen: Roy graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1941 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He earned his wings in Feb 1942, and in June 1942 he flew one of the first 12 B-17 bombers on a raid over Germany. In fall 1942 while on a bombing mission in North Africa Invasion, he lost his entire crew in the Sahara Desert, but survived and returned to the U.S.
     Captain Donald G. Smith: Don was born in Oldham, SD. He was a pilot of a B-25 medium bombers in the “Doolittle’s Raiders” on April 18, 1942. The flyers launched a lightning raid on Tokyo and other Japanese cities. The bombing was considered a psychological victory as it lifted the spirits of American forces after they were bombed at Pearl Harbor and were driven from the Philippines. The B-25s took off from the aircraft carrier Hornet 600 miles from Japan. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in the bombing of Japan. Captain Smith arrived in England on September 26, 1942, and served there for less than two months when he was killed in an air crash in England on November 12, 1942.
     Brigadier General Iver O. Tufty: Iver enlisted in the military in early 1941 and was discharged in 1946. He flew many missions as a B-27 pilot over Europe and earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three clusters, Purple Heart, and eight period awards and four Battle Stars. In 1946 he was a charter member of the South Dakota Air National Guard and remained in the guard until retirement in 1973.
     Commander John C. Waldron: John was born in Fort Pierre, SD, and was a United States Navy aviator who led a squadron of torpedo bombers in World War II. He and most of his squadron perished in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. Waldron led the first carrier attack group to approach the Japanese carriers, and without fighter cover, committed “Torpedo 8” to battle. All of the Hornet's Torpedo 8 planes soon fell. Of the 30 men who set out that morning, only one, Ens. George H. Gay, Jr., USNR, survived. Torpedo 8 earned the Presidential Unit Citation (US); Lt. Comdr. Waldron received the Navy Cross posthumously.
     Sergeant Ralph W. Walters: Ralph was from Spearfish and entered the U.S. Army Air Force in August 1943. He flew 25 to 30 missions in B-25s as a radio operator in the European-Africa-Mid-East Campaigns and was discharged from the military in March 1946.

List of all South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame Inductees

List of all Combat Air Crew Memorial Members