Richard Dick Ziegler was born at home on the family farm April 10, 1930, in rural Volga, SD. He was the fourth of ten children and the first son of Richard J. and Mamie (Waage) Ziegler. He was raised on the farm including one long winter (1941) after their home burned to the ground. That winter his parents along with 8 children lived in 2 garages. It is from these humble beginnings that much of Dicks strengths and dedication to the welfare of others were formed.

Dick graduated from Volga High School in 1948 and went on to college at South Dakota State University. He participated in the ROTC/Air Force program and graduated in 1952 at which time he served in the Air Force. He was in training to be a pilot and was stationed at many places around the USA. When the presidential administration changed, he was offered an early out to teach, so he took it. Dicks first teaching job was at Chester, SD, where he taught Agriculture. This is also where he met Carol (Erickson) and made the best choice of his life! They were married May 20, 1955. They lived in Madison while Dick continued to teach in Chester. In 1957, he accepted a position in DeSmet, SD to teach Agriculture and Animal Science. Later, Dick accepted a position with the Arlington High School as Principal and Science Teacher.

While working hard, raising a family and continuing to help on his fathers farm, Dick still managed to get his Masters Degree from SDSU and an additional 30+ hours at schools in Colorado and SD. While Dick would attend summer school, the family would go along and vacation. It created wonderful memories. The family also took vacations until the children were too busy working summer jobs. Some of the familys favorite trips were to Nashville, TN; Boulder, CO; Yellowstone Park, and Northern Canada by way of North Dakota.

In 1968, Dick accepted an opportunity to help develop the educational program for Mitchell Vo-Tech and to be their first Coordinator of Student Activities. This is when the family moved to Mitchell. Dick took his responsibilities very seriously. Under his leadership, the new school opened in 1968 with 200+ students and grew to more than 800. He knew every students name, which class they were in (he helped many determine which career path to take), and also helped bring in employers to hire the students. He was an advocate for each and every student. Dick held this position for 21 years. In 1989, Dick was transferred to Springfield where he fully embraced his responsibilities as director of education for the inmates. He was always proud to help those who wanted to help themselves. He retired in 1995.

Dick was first elected to be Davison County Commissioner in 1996 to begin his term January 1, 1997. November 4, 2008, he was re-elected for his fourth term. Dick campaigned on the fact that he was an involved, experienced qualified trusted leader with proven results. He was all that and more, as he had been in every endeavor throughout his life. Dick served as Chairman of the county commissioners three times, was on the Planning and Zoning Committee, and served as the county liaison to the city.

When Dick was told he had cancer last December, he put on his brave face and dealt with it head-on. After surgery in March, he planned to be back at work in 2 to 3 weeks. However, there were complications which led to several trips to Rochester/Mayo Clinic and one final trip to Mitchell. His final trip home to God was July 1, 2009. He died with a peaceful look on his face-knowing he had accomplished a lot by helping many people.

Dick loved being a teacher and an administrator. He enjoyed learning almost as much as teaching. In later years, most of his teaching was through informal mentoring. He was a people-person who had the best memory of anyone we knew! He was handsome with brilliant blue eyes. Dick was very pro-education- you were either going to go to school after high school graduation or, you were going to go to school!!. Dick always gave 100% and expected others to do the same.

Dick was a member of First Lutheran Church since 1968; where he held many positions including Trustee, member of the Long-Range Planning Committee and the Call Committee. He was a member of the Mitchell Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award; Perfect Attendance 41 years; served as District Governor, Chairman of MD-5 Council of Governors, and many other offices; last Lions accomplishment: sold the most tickets for the Pancake Breakfast this March (2009). Dick was also involved in the Chamber of Commerce; the Drug and Alcohol Committee; the United Way; the FFA Advisory Board; the District IV Planning Committee.

Survivors include: Carol, wife of 54 years; Children and Grandchildren: Peggy (Jerry) Letcher, Aberdeen, SD and their 2 children, Todd and his wife, Amber and Kristen; Rick (Sharon) Ziegler, Mooreton, ND and their 9 children, Andrea, Elizabeth , John, Anna, Joseph, Rebecca, Sarah, Sophia and Lydia; Barbara (Jim) Hemmah, Mitchell, SD and their 2 children, Catlin and Eric; Brenda Ziegler (Uncle Steve Hopkins), Gresham, OR, Scott Ziegler, Mitchell, SD; Dicks siblings: Aline (Everett) Luckou, Everett, Sac City, IA, Evelyn (Ed) Scharn, Lytton, IA, Clarice Wells, Lennox, SD; Gerald (Marilyn) Ziegler, Frankland, TN, VerDell (Bob) Wiles, Fairfax, VA, Arlys (Leonard) Eilts, St.Paul, MN, Beverly (Bruce) Wosje, Brookings, SD and Larry Ziegler, Volga, SD; Aunt Jeanette Waage; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Very important in Dicks life were some special honorary grandchildren: Ryan Waage, Lori and Chad Goldammer, Ashley and John Hubregtze, and Seth and Jaden Dueter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and his wife, Ron and Judy; one brother-in-law, George Wells; and two grandchildren, Breta and David Ziegler.