South Dakota Hall of Fame 2021 In Memoriam
At the South Dakota Hall of Fame, our mission is to honor and share the legacies of South Dakotans who have championed a culture of excellence in our state. The beauty of a legacy is it has the power to live on and inspire future generations.
Some amazing Inductees passed in 2021, but if there is one thing we are sure of, it is that their legacies will continue on and inspire generations of South Dakotans to come, and we are proud to share their stories with you.
In Memoriam
Ronald Backer
Worthing, SD | Arts & Entertainment
1922–2021
Ronald Backer grew up on a farm in southeastern South Dakota, a land rich in historical events that left its mark on the Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery. His artistic bent was nurtured along the way as a professional photographer and motion picture editor. In his paintings, Ron’s roots kept tugging at him, and through them, he found the artistic muse; painting the historical events of the Lewis and Clark expedition, that not only took place in the land of his formative years but in the rest of our nation. By reliving the exciting events and scenes of our past Ron hoped to leave for our future generations an appreciation of our historical legacy.
Msgr. James Doyle
Lennox, SD | General
1931–2021
Msgr. James Doyle was a priest in the Diocese of Sioux Falls for decades and the former chair of the Religious Studies department at the University of South Dakota. Add those accomplishments to his skill at interacting with others, and at times, it could feel like he knew everyone. In Msgr. Doyle’s estimation, three accomplishments gave him the greatest satisfaction. The first is bringing university students through the Vietnam era and teaching them through an academic and faith-based approach that the church is not irrelevant. The second is founding St. Michael Parish in Sioux Falls, the largest church of any denomination in South Dakota, and the third- establishing with other denominations an ecumenical outreach to the poor.
Frank Farrar
Britton, SD | Professional
1929–2021
After graduating from the University of South Dakota Frank Farrar served two years in the Korean Conflict, the U.S. Army Reserve, then performed as an Internal Revenue Agent, a judge, States Attorney for Marshall County, Attorney General for three terms, and served one term as Governor for the State of South Dakota. Driven by a diagnosis of terminal cancer, Frank participated in the Senior Olympics as well as completed 24 Ironman competitions, all after turning 65. Everything Frank Farrar did, large or small, was accomplished through hard work and determination. He gave credit for the successes in his life to the support, encouragement, and sacrifice of his wife, Patricia, who has done so much for the family.
Glenna Fouberg
Aberdeen, SD | General
1942–2021
Glenna Fouberg was known in the state as “Mrs. Education,” an innovative educator with a firm commitment to helping students on the margins of the state’s education system. She evolved Aberdeen’s Alternative Learning Center, where she changed the trajectories of hundreds of lives. Glenna extended the ALC to middle school, the Juvenile Detention Center, and the New Beginnings Center (a home for at-risk youth). She mentored other school districts on creating alternative education programs. South Dakota recognized her as Teacher of the Year in 1994. In 1998 she was appointed to the State Board of Education where she served 19 years, four as president.
Dr. Richard Gowen
Rapid City, SD | Professional
1935–2021
Richard Gowen graduated in 1962 with the first Ph.D. in the nation in the new research area of biomedical engineering. Dick was elected into the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow in recognition of his significant contributions to space research and education. In 1984 he was appointed as President to Dakota State College which is ranked nationally as one of the best technological universities in the nation, to provide computer-based and integrated information management programs for Citibank and other organizations. In 1987, he became the President of SD Mines that included the development of a nationally-recognized Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Production and the school’s first capital campaign of over $20 million raised.
Glenn Jorgenson
Hayti, SD | Professional
1930–2021
Glenn Jorgenson, a successful businessman, and former state government cabinet member had more than his share of good ideas in his life. Some good and some brilliant, but this one topped them all. People’s ideas about alcoholism have changed because of Jorgenson. He helped start River Park’s first chemical dependency treatment center in Pierre in 1970 and was the Director of the center for much of his career. The Hayti native started River Park after he had received treatment for a problem with alcohol and other chemicals. At that time, the only chemical dependency treatment centers in the state were at Fort Meade for Veterans and the Human Service Center in Yankton.
Marcella LeBeau
Promise, SD | Professional
1919–2021
Marcella Rose LeBeau, an Army nurse who was honored for her service during World War II and leadership in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Her daughter, Gerri Lebeau, said the matriarch of her family demonstrated fortitude, as well as an ability to seek healing, as she overcame the abuses she faced at an Indian boarding school during her youth. She went on to treat frontline soldiers as an Army nurse in Europe during the Allied invasion of Normandy. After returning home, she became an outspoken advocate for health in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. “She was the foundation of our family,” said her grandson Ryman LeBeau. “She had a lifetime of good things that she had accomplished.”
Carveth Thompson
Faith, SD | Professional
1932–2021
Carveth “Carv” Thompson was very active in community affairs in Faith SD. In 1965, Les Kleven, owner of KBHB Radio in Sturgis, convinced Carv to start a Faith Area News radio program. It was heard for 10 minutes Monday through Friday morning at 10:00 on KBHB and was heard in five states. Carv broadcast the program daily and occasionally from all over the country, for 28 years. The program carried local news, weather, sports, market reports, community happenings, school news, interviews, and local politics. Carv donated over 10,000 hours of his time to this community service project which in its 28 years raised thousands of dollars and millions of smiles for worthy causes and really “put Faith on the map”. The program continues today broadcast by other volunteers.
To learn more about these and other Inductees of the South Dakota Hall of Fame, you can visit our Inductee directory here.