David Padgett

David LeRoy Padgett was born to Gerald and Gladys Padgett March 25, 1934, in Bowman, N.D. Dave was their second child, following his big sister Irene, who was three years older.
Unfortunately, his Dad passed from illness when Dave was 7. In 1948 Gladys was remarried to Knute Erickson, and the family grew with three stepbrothers—Duane, Marion and Myron and a few years later, a half brother, Knute Jr.
Dave attended high school in Bowman where he met his future wife, Connie Brooks. He attended college at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and graduated with a degree in civil engineering.
In 1956, he married his high school sweetheart and was drafted into the Army.  He and Connie were off to San Francisco, Calif., where Dave was stationed at Fort Winfield Scott at the Presidio. Dave and Connie had their first son, Del, born in 1958. Their second son, Todd, arrived four years later.  
After fulfilling his service to the Army Dave was offered a job as the assistant engineer for the city of Pierre, S.D., and was honored to enlist his work ethic and dedication. He advanced to the position of city engineer and was eventually the director of public works, in charge of all the city’s departments.
After retiring from the city, Connie and Dave moved to their retirement home outside of Custer, S.D. In 1995, Dave and Connie purchased Calamity Peak Lodge, a 10-unit motel. They sold the motel in 2005 but kept busy volunteering at the Custer Senior Center, museum, Pringle United Methodist Church and enjoyed snowmobiling and hiking.
Dave passed away peacefully Dec. 19, 2023. He was 89.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Connie; sons, Del (Denise) and Todd (Ginny); and his two granddaughters, Delaney (Bill) Manning and Emily Padgett.