Combining Entertainment and Education with Duane Reichert
South Dakota Hall of Fame 1991 Inductee Duane Reichert has become best known to rodeo fans all over the country as "Dr. Ben Krazy," the nut with the ersatz ambulance. Duane brought a wide variety of comedy to the sport’s spectators. He is highly visible throughout the rodeo with his animals, magic, excitement, and humor. Duane sat down with Hall of Fame Board Director Mike Cartney to discuss his legacy as a star of rodeo and his dedication to the youth of South Dakota through his educational program.
Duane grew up on a ranch in central Meade County and attended high school in Sturgis. This was a big change for him coming from a rural life. He shared more about his childhood and reflected on his journey to finding courage in the early years of his rodeo career.
“I was quiet, and I was shy [in school]. I hated having to get up in front of people,” said Duane. “But, when I was a senior, a friend and I decided to become rodeo clowns…and when I got out in front of the rodeo crowd, I liked it; I liked protecting the cowboys from the bulls.”
Duane’s career took off, and he eventually worked in 44 states, and four Canadian provinces, over his rodeo career that spanned more than 30 years. There was never a dull moment with Duane’s commitment to top-notch entertainment, as well as his commitment to safety and protection as a rodeo bullfighter. When he worked as a bullfighter, it was his job to protect the cowboy from bulls during their runs by distracting the animal so the cowboy could safely exit the ring.
Beyond rodeo, Duane pursued another passion in life and graduated from Black Hills State University in 1972 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. It had always been his desire to work with children. Though he saw immense success in his rodeo career, he valued the importance of education and the ideology of always be a student throughout life.
“I went back to get my degree in elementary education, and though I never taught, it helped me immensely,” said Duane.
Combining his two passions, Duane took his act to the classroom with a strong commitment to entertain and educate the youth of South Dakota through his assembly program: "Backstage with a Rodeo Clown." This work took Duane to thousands of schools across the state.
Through this work inside and out of the rodeo, Duane has made an immense impact on the youth of South Dakota.