Rick Knobe reminds us of a sad anniversary for South Dakota, but also recalls the bright light those men shared with us — The South Dakota Standard

A brilliant gentle commentary on a tragic anniversary for South Dakota. 

Please stick with me. Slightly historical past first. 

The disappointment first. On this date, April 19, 1993, Gov. George S. Mickelson, and 7 others died in a aircraft crash in Iowa. They had been all South Dakotans on a mission: Roland Dolly, Ron Reed, Angus Anson, Dave Birkeland, Roger Hainje and pilots Ron Becker and David Hansen.

They had been getting back from a gathering again east with house owners of John Morrell and Firm. Their goal was to persuade the house owners of the deserves of retaining the pork processing plant in Sioux Falls. 

Most South Dakotans over 45 will do not forget that day.

Many South Dakotans can truthfully say they knew a lot of the males on that doomed aircraft. That’s the fantastic thing about residing in a small state. I knew six of the eight. I thought-about one a private pal. 

I knew Gov. Mickelson. Throughout my radio profession, I had interviewed him quite a few occasions. 

He was a giant man. Tall. An interesting smile, and welcoming eyes. His aura crammed any room he was in. He was a Republican within the authentic model. Inclusive, an issue solver, not an issue creator. 

He was a really brilliant gentle. 

Rising up, we had been taught to respect these holding workplace. When it got here to George (seen above together with his spouse Linda in a photograph from South Dakota Public Broadcasting) , that was straightforward to do. I think most of us went past respecting him for his workplace. I revered him for his integrity, compassion, and talent to deliver individuals collectively. 

From my perspective, his brilliant gentle and the intense lights of the others should be remembered. 

Not due to the way in which they died, however due to the way in which they lived. Making the lives of ALL South Dakotans higher.

We have to discover individuals like George Mickelson and help them once they run for workplace. 

 Nowadays, discovering somebody like him is not going to be straightforward. Politics has gone to the gutter lately. 

You and I need to bear in mind the intense lights of those males, embrace what they and Gov. Mickelson represented and convey their brilliant lights again into our lives.

Rick Knobe is a former mayor of Sioux Falls and a longtime radio speak present host, now retired.