North Dakota
Randy Schobinger
December 15, 1969 – August 13, 2024
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Randy Schobinger, a cherished son, brother, uncle, friend, and dedicated public servant, who left us on August 13, 2024, at the age of 54. He passed peacefully at his home in Delano, Tennessee.
Randy was born on December 15, 1969, in Minot, North Dakota. He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1988, where he played football and baseball, showcasing his love for sports and competitive spirit. He continued his education at Minot State University, earning a degree in Economics.
For 15 years, Randy worked with dedication in the family moving and storage business in Minot North Dakota. In 2007, he moved to Arizona to join his brother and enjoy playing softball together – winning the Chandler, AZ city championship once and Tempe city championship twice. In 2009 he moved to East Tennessee where he settled into a new career in the insurance industry, where his hard work and commitment led to great success.
Randy was a passionate Tennessee Volunteers fan, a loyalty that began in the early 1990s. He celebrated their football national championship in 1998 and was thrilled to see their baseball team win the national championship in 2024. He rarely missed a game on TV, sharing his enthusiasm with those around him. Go Vols!
Randy’s political career was as dynamic as his personality. In 1994, while juggling two jobs and college, he turned a 1972 Toyota into a campaign vehicle and, against the odds, became the youngest State Senator in North Dakota’s history. He served in the Senate from 1994 to 2006, where he worked for lower taxes and to secure funding for important community projects. In 2016, he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, serving until 2024. Known for his innovative and spirited campaigning, Randy brought a unique energy to his public service.
Outside of his professional and political life, Randy’s adventurous spirit shone brightly in his participation in the famed “Tough Mudder” competitions. These challenging obstacle courses tested his physical and mental limits, but he embraced them with enthusiasm, inspiring others with his determination and resilience.
While everything written above were the things that served him to find professional success, it was his love of “porch sitting” with his sweet darlin’ Jenny, his dogs, family, and friends where he was content. He simply couldn’t get enough of old-time country music, and that spectacular view of Chilhowee Mountain from his front porch.
Randy is survived by his parents Charlotte Dempsey (John) and Jack Schobinger (Myra), his significant other Jenny Sauer, his siblings, Jay Schobinger (Sandra), Nancy Klatt (Delvin), Pat Schobinger (Terri), TJ Dempsey (Eunice), Tiffany Gaydos (Rob), Tara Johansen (Spencer), and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was a devoted family member, always ready with a smile and a helping hand. He was a fun-loving beacon of knowledge, passion, and principles to all that knew him.
The family will plan a celebration of Randy’s life at a later date, where family and friends will gather to honor his memory and share stories of his remarkable journey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a cause close to Randy’s heart.
Randy Schobinger’s legacy is one of service, determination, and a love for life. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all who knew him.
“I did what I said I would do.” – Randy Schobinger
North Dakota
North Dakota voters to decide single-subject requirement for future constitutional amendments on June 9
North Dakota
And he’s off
BRECKENRIDGE — Coaches, teammates, friends and family gathered in the south parking lot of Breckenridge High School for another state tournament sendoff.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
This year, it was Troy Berndt taking the ceremonial convertible ride. He is headed to St. Michael-Albertville High School for the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet on June 4-6.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
He will be running in the third heat of the 400-meter prelims, scheduled for 4:52 p.m. June 4. There are seven athletes in each heat, 21 total, and nine will advance to the finals at 6:20 p.m. June 5.
The top two finishers in each heat advance, along with the next three best times. Berndt’s personal best time of 50.67 has him seeded 13th, but the 10th-, 11th- and 12th-seeded runners are less than five hundredths of a second ahead of him. The eighth- and ninth-seeded runners are also close, at 50.33 and 50.39, respectively.
Berndt dropped nearly seven-tenths of a second from his previous personal best at the Section 6A West Subsection Meet on May 21, running 51.35, and shaved another 0.68 seconds off at the Section 6A Championships on May 28 with a time of 50.67. If he keeps lowering his time, he will have a shot at reaching the podium against the best runners in Class A.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
Results and photos will be available online immediately following the race June 4 and in the June 10 print edition of the Wahpeton Daily News.
Corbin Lee is a sports reporter for the Wahpeton Daily News and Richland County News-Monitor. Corbin can be reached by calling (701) 291-3551 or emailing corbin.lee@wahpetondailynews.com.
North Dakota
Today in History, 1971: Rugby repeats as North Dakota sand greens golf champion
On this day in 1971, Rugby repeated as North Dakota’s high school sand greens golf champion behind medalist Dwight Stempson’s winning performance.
Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:
Rugby Repeats As Sand Greens Golf Champion
RUGBY, N. D. — Rugby repeated as North Dakota high school sand greens golf champion here Wednesday, posting a four-man total of 293 strokes for 18 holes.
Led by medalist Dwight Stempson’s medalist 36-35 — 71, the Panthers were eight strokes ahead of runnerup Stanley, which had a 301. Following were Garrison 311, Beulah 315, Leeds 322, Ashley 323, Bottineau 328, Pembina 329, Tioga 332, Parshall 341 and Hettinger 342.
Stempson and teammate Bruce Carlson each had one-under par 71s, but Carlson was unable to be at the regional and wasn’t qualified for individual honors.
Rounding out the Rugby totals were Delwin Wilson 40-37 — 77 and Dennett Hutchinson 35-39 — 74. Gary Kirchoffner, 41-39 — 80, was Rugby’s fifth entrant with the best four-of-five scores counted.
Runnerup Stanley was led by Steve Springan’s 34-38 — 72 and Joe Springan’s 36-38 — 74. Their two-man total of 146 strokes was good enough for the doubles title. Two strokes back with a 148 was the duo of Stempson and Wilson. Stan Saathoff and Mike Stepina of Garrison each had 76s for a 152 total and the Ashley combo of Steve Maier (76) and Dave Kretschmar (78) was fourth with a 154.
Stempson was the driving contest winner with a distance of 280 yards. Chris Knutson of Garrison headed the pitch and putt competition.
Kate Almquist is the social media manager for InForum. After working as an intern, she joined The Forum full time starting in January 2022. Readers can reach her at kalmquist@forumcomm.com.
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