Alain "Frenchie" Gerard Ferdinand, 68, of Spearfish, SD, died January 21, 2013 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY.

Alain was born February 8, 1944 in Paris, France. He was educated in Paris and as a young man, served in the French Foreign Legion as a paratrooper. An avid soccer and volleyball player, he played international professional volleyball. He owned and operated a furniture store in Paris. At age 31, he came to the United States to see his sister, Ginette Weickum, and decided to make America his home. He was married to Sheryl Winters in Seguin, Texas. They moved to Spearfish, where he was employed by Homestake Mining for 22 years. He became known as "Frenchie" to many Spearfish residents. He was a passionate soccer coach for the Spearfish Youth City League, his team earned several state championships. He took great pleasure in fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and motorcycle riding.

Alain is survived by two sons, Ryan, Anchorage, AK, Reynold, Spearfish; nephew, Terry Weickum; two nieces, Collette Swan and Yvette Fitzgerald; two cousins, Lisa and T.J. Weickum, and an untold number of friends. He took great pride in caring for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henri and Paulette, Paris, France; sister, Danielle Proust, Lacheny, France; sister, Ginette Weickum, and brother-in-law, Victor Weickum, Wewela, SD.

A public graveside memorial service, in honor and gratitude of Alain's life, will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at the Rose Garden in Rose Hill Cemetery, Spearfish, SD.