Remembering 2024 Inductee Hugh Ingalls and His Wife Eleanor
Hugh and Eleanor Ingalls
Hugh Ingalls (1929-2025) a 2024 South Dakota Hall of Fame Inductee, and his wife Eleanor Ingalls (1930-2025), both passed away in February 2025, just 8 days apart. They were married for 75 years, and together had six children.
We are deeply saddened to hear of their passing and extend our condolences to their family and friends at this time. Hugh Ingalls' impact on South Dakota ranching, and his and Eleanor’s collective impact on their community will endure for generations to come. Hugh’s legacy of hard work, leadership, and generosity serves as an inspiration to all who strive to make a difference. This was all accomplished with Eleanor by his side.
Hugh Ingalls faced numerous hardships throughout his 94 years living on the beautiful but sometimes harsh prairie of South Dakota. As a child of the Depression and the second of five siblings who lost their mother at an early age, Hugh grew up shouldering responsibilities beyond his years. His family and his faith in God instilled in him the values of honesty, hard work, perseverance, and a striving for excellence, which enabled him to let hardships shape him into an effective and inspiring leader and a kind and generous person.
Few individuals contributed more to South Dakota’s cattle industry than Hugh Ingalls. He was widely recognized in the state cattle industry and nationally as a “true stockman” who volunteered to promote the cattle industry and the Angus breed. Cattlemen across the state sought his leadership in local and state organizations, respecting his honesty, integrity, calm disposition, and skill in handling challenges. His willingness to lead and serve, including more than 40 years as a delegate to the National Angus Convention, had a lasting impact on the beef industry.
Hugh also had a positive impact on his community, reflected in his many years of service on school boards, as a 4-H leader, and in his local church. Hugh and Eleanor, his wife of 75 years, together built a legacy of hospitality and excellence. They strove to instill these same values in their six children.
“It is always rewarding to work with other ranchers toward a common goal.” – Hugh
Through the years, Hugh influenced many South Dakota ranchers to produce better cattle by using performance testing. In 1956, at only 26 years old, he began keeping production records to improve the quality of his herd and was among the first in the state to do so. This early leadership earned him the title of 1960 Outstanding Young Farmer. In the early 1980s, cattle geneticists from South Dakota State University recognized the value Hugh was breeding into his cattle, and a 30+ year research relationship was formed, with SDSU purchasing Hugh’s steer calves each year for use in nationally recognized research.
SDSU professor Dr. Robbi Pritchard collaborated with Hugh on over 20 research projects. According to Pritchard, Hugh provided the biggest and most productive research herd resource for SDSU’s Animal Science Department. “I am not aware of anywhere else in the USA where someone has made that kind of a contribution to land grant university research on such a large scale,” Pritchard said.
In 2004, Hugh was chosen by SDSU for the “Friend of the Beef Industry” award, and in 2016 as “Eminent Rancher.” He received numerous other awards for his contributions to agriculture and the beef industry, including being an American Angus Association Heritage Foundation inductee.
One of Hugh’s most impactful contributions to the livestock community was his years of service to the Central States Fair and the Black Hills Stock Show. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Hugh helped lead the Livestock Committee for 20 years, acting as “Livestock Ambassador” to thousands of cattlemen. He was recognized in 1995 as BHSS Stockman of the Year for his involvement in the cattle industry and received the BHSS Hall of Fame Silver Spur Award in 2010 for his commitment to the Central States Fair and Black Hills Stock Show.
“My faith has given me purpose in life and direction.” – Hugh
Through droughts, blizzards, hail, and grasshopper infestations, Hugh persevered with a strong faith in God and generosity to help his fellow cattlemen. Following the 2013 Storm Atlas, he offered to loan cows to young ranchers to help them recover from devastating livestock losses even though he had lost a substantial percentage of his own herd.
Hugh’s legacy as a cattleman is summed up well in the words of Dr. Pritchard: “Hugh represents the dignity, integrity, determination, willingness to learn, and the sense of adventure that inspires. He has lived as an example of what we imagine when we tell others what is good about South Dakota ranching. I haven’t met anyone involved in the state’s cattle industry who is more widely known and respected.”