We lost a Tiger, Trail Blazer, Dream Catcher, Competitor, Friend, and Big Brother


Richard E. "Dick" Lee, born on November 13, 1941, a Lawrence County resident for 30+ years, "slipped the surly bonds of earth" (High Flight) on April 17, 2014. Memorial celebrations are being planned for the week of The Mickelson Trail Fall Trail Trek.


Dick was a Navy A-4 Skyhawk, carrier-based fighter pilot, going on to fly both fixed and rotary wing aircraft for 20+ yrs. with the SD Army National Guard (SDANG), retired. He received the Meritorious Service Medal for extraordinary efforts towards a smooth and successful transition as Chief Warrant Officer pilot/commander, of the OH-58 and C-23 Units. He flew civilian aircraft (firefighting and long line operations), taught others to fly, helped Harrison Ford hone his helicopter skills, and he flew Kevin Costner to recon locations for Dances with Wolves. He owned/operated a business, flying skydivers, promoting an international skydiving team, and giving glider flight instruction, commercial rides, and charter flights. He was granted a Master Aviation Safety Award for 2,829 accident-free hrs. Dick was a member of the Guard Biathlon team, which finished 9th in the 1995 National Guard Biathlon Championships.


28 years ago, he started blazing what became The Mickelson Trail, known as the "Crown Jewel" of the Rails to Trails System. Along the path of and soaring with the eagles over the 114 miles of The Mickelson Trail, his work lives on, partnered with a Guy; a gal; 3 Governors; a Game, Fish & Parks visionary; the Forest Service; the Rails to Trails Foundation; and the Guard. He went to D.C., with the founder of the Colorado Trail to lobby the legislature. He wrote the forward of a guide book on the trail to teach us that we too should become no less than dream catchers. On the 10th anniversary of the George S. Mickelson Trail's Dedication, he and two other partnering, pioneering trail blazers were presented the Dream to Reality Award in recognition of the instrumental roles they each played in bringing public awareness to the potential for making the abandoned Burlington Northern Railroad bed into a multi-use trail.


As an Eagle Cliff Ski Association member, Dick's voice helped find a balance between various user groups, to preserve trails developed and maintained many years by Dick Fort, a friend, neighbor, and Association President. Cross country skiers, snowshoers, mountain bikers, and hikers now share these trails promoting year round use. Dick was so honored to be associated with people whom he spoke of as givers not takers.


Survivors include his sister, Carolyn Whitlock, in NC, Aunt Verna Ritter, in KS, and many cousins. Dick was a loving son and found a home for his mother, Trudy Lee, who enjoyed her life at Hickory House, in Spearfish, SD.


Dick once celebrated an admired aviator, "A tiger is a fighter pilot possessing unusual skill and judgment. We lost
one of these last week. He was a fighter pilot, but he was much more." So was Dick Lee, a fighter pilot, and he too was so much more. Using your own words, Tricky, "So long Tiger. You own the sky."


Donations in Dick's name to the Save the Children Foundation or an entity giving to children that you trust was his stated wish.

Online memories/condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com or www.rapidcityjournal.com/obits