Richard "Dick" Elmore

Richard G. Elmore, 81, of Newell, South Dakota, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Richard "Dick" Glenn Elmore was born on February 27th, 1942 to Clifford and Flora Belle Elmore at home on his family's ranch in Ekalaka, and raised alongside his three siblings Bob, Donnie, and Agnes.

Dick married Joann Sterns and from that union, they were blessed with three children, Debbie, Jeff, and Linda. In 1969, Dick met and married his second wife and the love of his life Barbara (Hutton) Elmore. Dick asked Barb out on a date and a short time later during a trip to buy new cowboy boots for Dick they took a detour and got married instead. The next morning, they had just enough money to share a can of soda and a candy bar to celebrate their wedding.

They grew their family by leaps and bounds by having 10 more children who are Richard Todd, Cassie, Scott, Lisa (Big), Stacey, Mitchell, Michael, Tiffany, Nadine, and Lisa (Little).

Dick wore a lot of hats in his life, starting out as an Army medic and owning a hotel, managing a cafe and movie theater in Ekalaka in the 70s to being a rancher in both Ekalaka and Newell, South Dakota. He had a career in law enforcement working in Montana and South Dakota and was very proud to wear a badge. In the 80s, he graduated first in his class from Colorado Aero Tech and owned and operated Gillette Air. He owned three planes that he would lease out for private flights. Dick loved not only to work on planes but to pilot them as well and was in the middle of rebuilding a new two-seater plane when he passed away. Dick and his family moved to Newell in 1987. They moved to Alkali for a few years before moving back, as Newell was his home up until his passing.

Dick's biggest job and the one that he was best at was being a husband, Dad, and Grandpa. He loved all his family very much and was proud of them all. He was a hero to all of his children. The stories that can be told about him are never-ending.

Dick was stubborn, quick-witted and had quite a sense of humor. But, he was also as soft as a teddy bear when it came to the ones he loved. He lovingly gave his kids, grandkids, and especially Barb nicknames. His nicknames were clever, witty, funny, and even sometimes inappropriate and we all loved them. You knew when he had accepted you into the family if you got a nickname from him.

Dick loved being outdoors and was already talking about getting the camper ready for the season. He couldn't wait to go camping every year with his family, which provided him with endless pleasure.

Dick taught us all so much. He taught his kids how to hunt, work on machinery, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing and was always there to help us when we needed him. He would go above and beyond to do things for anyone in his family. He loved his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law like his own kids. He was truly one of a kind and can never be replaced. We were blessed to have him in our lives.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Barb along with his children Jeff (Martha), Debbie (Terry), Linda (Jim), Richard (Jodi), Cassie (John), Scott (JoConda), Lisa (Ricky), Stacey, Mitchell, Michael, Tiffany (AJ), Nadine, Lisa (Joey), 31 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren not to mention many nieces and nephews. Also, his beloved puppies Wowie and Spencer.

Please come help us celebrate Dick's life on Friday, May 12th at 1 p.m. at the Newell Evangelical Church in Newell, South Dakota. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery, Newell.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at http://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com