Our precious husband, father, grandfather, and brother left us to meet his savior, Jesus Christ, on January 1, 2024.
Richard D. (Dick) Schaffan, 78, of Summerset, SD, passed away at Monument Health Rapid City.
Dick was born to Clifford (Tip) Schaffan and BeDelia (Portermain) Schaffan on June 28, 1945 in Milaca, MN. He was raised on the farm in Princeton, MN, for the first 7&1/2 years of his life. The family moved to Jamestown, ND, where Dick enjoyed horse ranch life until they moved to Aladdin, WY, where the family continued horse operations. In 1955, the family moved to Whitewood where Dick remained through high school.
Dick excelled in athletics while attending Sturgis High School where he played football and achieved all-state status as an (AP) offensive halfback and a (UPI) defensive halfback. He also played basketball on a 3rd place team at state. Dick was on a school record breaking 880-yard relay team and competed at the state tournament in the Sprint Medley relay.
Dick graduated in 1964, and spent a year playing football at Black Hills State with one of his best friends, Larry Burditt, who later became his brother-in-law. He then joined the Air Force in 1965 and was stationed for 3 years at Amarillo, TX, with another best friend and eventual cousin by marriage, Jim Wiswell. He spent a year in Viet Nam, where he was exposed to Agent Orange. Upon his return, Dick completed a bachelor’s degree in education at Black Hills State College. He married and had 2 sons, Bryan and Monty. That marriage ended in divorce.
He worked for a pro sports marketing group throughout Texas, OK, and the east coast. Upon his return to Deadwood to work at Saloon #10, he met the love of his life Carole Jeffery. Dick and Carole married in April of 1977 and welcomed four children, Cristy, Richard, Jodi, and William into their lives.
Dick entered the field of education as a teacher and coach when he accepted a job in Zeeland, ND. He ended his career as a School Superintendent, serving several schools in that role. His health forced him into retirement in 2017.
Dick is survived by his wife, Carole; daughters, Cristy (Casey) Davis, and Jodi (Mike)Brandt; 4 sons, Bryan and Monty Schaffan, Richard (Carmen) Schaffan, and William (Samantha) Schaffan; 2 sisters and 1 brother. He has eight grandchildren that he will miss dearly; Bryan, Bella, Jaxon, Kingston, Gabby, William, Ryan & Stevie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, 2 infant grandsons, 2 sisters and a brother.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Folds of Honor.
Memorial services will be held Friday, January 5, 2024, 1:00 p.m., at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis, SD. Inurnment, with military honors, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
