Gaiser

Edwin D. Gaiser, 89, of Rapid City, S.D., died Thursday at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Ed was born in Finleyville, Pa., May 13, 1919, the eldest son of Vance and Lorena Gaiser.

He attended two country schools in Butler County and graduated from Slippery Rock High School in 1938.

Following graduation, Ed worked for the W.J. Offutt Co. as an assistant manager and then for Consolidated Coal from 1940 to 1942 as a field engineer.

In July 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps. He was assigned to the Army Air Force Radio School in Sioux Falls, S.D., graduated in the top of his class and became an instructor. He was in the service for 42 months as an instructor in Sioux Falls, later transferred to Scott Field and then in training for B-29 radio operations in Pratt, Kan.

While in Sioux Falls, he met and married Priscilla Olson of Gayville, S.D., Nov. 1, 1944.

Over the next eight years, he attended night and extension classes at Penn State and Augustana College in Sioux Falls accumulating more than three years of college credits.

They moved to Rapid City in 1946 so he could attend the South Dakota School of Mines. He then worked for Staven Engineering for six months and in 1947 was offered a job with Quinn Construction Co. as a layout field engineer on the new Baroid Bentonite Plant west of Belle Fourche, S.D. He remained with Quinn Construction for 12 years becoming general manager and vice president.

Ed accepted a position with the Northwestern Engineering Co. in 1959 as an operations manager constructing highways, airfields and dams over most of the Western United States. In 1971, the company restructured, and Ed was placed in charge of the Hills Materials Co. Over the next 28 years, Ed served Hills Materials Co. as both vice president and president.

Ed was appointed to the South Dakota Cement Plant Commission in 1978 and served for 13 years, the last 11 as chairman; AGC of South Dakota director for 19 years, serving as president in 1974.

He supported these community activities: South Dakota Children's Aid Board of Directors, 1969-75; Fairyland Park Foundation, Storybook Island, president, board of directors 1971-77; United Way Board; Air Force Association; and the SDSM&T Hard Rock Club. He also was a member of the Rotary Club, the American Legion and a supporter of the Evangelical Free Church of Rapid City.

Ed Gaiser was a kind, caring, generous, humble man. He touched so many lives along his way and made a difference. He will be greatly missed by his family, community and the many friends he has left behind.

He is survived by his wife, Priscilla Gaiser of Rapid City; one daughter, Jan (Richard) Morehouse of Leesville, La.; a sister, Ruby Gaiser of Greenville, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Darrell and Richard "Dick" Gaiser; and a sister, Katherine Campbell.

<B>GAISER</B> - Graveside committal services for Edwin D. Gaiser, who died Thursday, April 16, 2009, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 23, at Black Hills National Cemetery, near Sturgis, with the Rev. David Greenhood officiating. Military honors will be provided by TREA Chapter 29 Honor Guard.Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23, at the Evangelical Free Church, 1124 Kansas City, Rapid City, with the Rev, David Greenhood officiating.Memorials have been established to the Hospice of the Hills, Storybook Island and the South Dakota School of Mines Scholarship Foundation.Family and friends may sign Ed's online guest book at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.