October 19, 1929 – September 27, 2026
“To put in one more horseback day and have one more chance
To take her hand and hold her close and waltz across a floor
Before the time to join the ranks of men who ride no more.”
— Joel Nelson, “The Men Who Ride No More”
Donald Eugene Knapp was born in Rapid City, South Dakota to Delmar and Mildred (Hughes) Knapp on October 19th, 1929 and passed away on September 27th, 2026.
He is survived by Maxine (Miner) Knapp, his devoted and loving wife of seventy-seven years and the absolute love of his life.
He leaves behind three children: daughter Nancy and her children Troy (Tasha), Jake (Carrie), and Tyler; son Bob (Sheila) and their children Chad (Leslee), Amber (Adam), Jeremy (Amy); and son Dick and his child Ryan. He is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, his sister Norma, his brother Ken (Pam), and his brother-in-law Bert. His sister, Evelyn, recently passed away. He was always interested in and deeply cared for his many nieces and nephews.
When Don was five years old, the family farm south of New Underwood was repossessed by the government due to crop failures. They only had a milk cow and a team of horses to start over, so his family moved to Rapid City. These were hard years. It was the great depression. Finding work to put food on the table and pay for a rundown shack was a daily struggle.
Don worked at a very young age to help his family as much as possible. The work ethic that Don learned as a child has passed to all succeeding generations.
Because of these difficult times, Don learned to never throw anything away. If it was broken, you fixed it. You didn’t have to always buy a new one. You could figure out how to make it work. He was a perfectionist who believed if you were fixing something, you better fix it right. Because of these beliefs, Don became an amazing mechanic.
In 1948, when Don was a senior at Rapid City High School, he joined the US Navy. After Basic Training, he was assigned as a Communications Specialist to a hospital ship in the Pacific Ocean. Before he shipped out, he came home to marry his high school sweetheart, Maxine Miner. For the next three years, they were stationed at several Navy bases in California. After an honorable discharge, they returned to Rapid City.
Don was hired by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company because of his expertise in communications systems and worked for them for thirty-one years. During that time, he was involved in many projects that helped propel South Dakota into the information age. He installed phone systems in many Black Hills towns for the first time. He also helped television come to western South Dakota by installing the first Microwave Tower near Hermosa.
Later in Don’s career, as the “Communication Installation Supervisor”, he was responsible for the communication aspects of all of the Minuteman Missile Sites west of the Missouri River. When the first missile was tested near Newell, South Dakota, Don set up direct communication between Ellsworth Air Force Base and the test site for one person whom he referred to as the “Big General from DC”. Because there weren’t satellite communications at that time, he had to create a line of sight system so the general could monitor the test safely from Ellsworth.
In 1954, Don and Maxine bought a small ranch on Highway 36 near Custer State Park. In later years, on a second HWY 36 property, they built a campground named Restway Travel Park while he was still working full time with Northwestern Bell. Don and Maxine added a 9-hole golf course, trail rides, and a swimming pool. Don and Maxine built a campground that quickly became a place known for bringing the local community together by hosting events such as reunions, birthday parties, and local ice cream socials.
Don always used to say that when he retired from the Telephone Company, he was going to start his real career. When he retired in 1970, he did just that by selling the Highway 36 properties and then purchasing the Stenger Ranch, five miles east of Hermosa. Don was a proud steward of this historic 100+ year old ranch, running 250 head of cattle on the 2500 acres and always focusing on what was best for the land. He also farmed, mostly grain crops, receiving awards for his cultivation programs. The dream to keep the ranch in the family has been realized.
He loved horses. When he was young, he would find colts that were no longer wanted, take them home, train them, and sell them so that he could contribute to the family income. Over the years, he purchased many horses. In recent years, he enjoyed buying horses on the internet both from private owners and large sales. His family was always telling him, “Don’t buy another horse”. Unfortunately, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Don was deeply committed to serving his community. As a Founding Member, Don recently received a sixty year membership pin and was honored by the American Legion Battle Creek Post #303. He was a member of the Battle River Masonic Lodge No. 92 A.F. & A.M. for over sixty-five years. He was a lifetime member of the Custer County Fair Board.
He served on the Black Hills Electric Coop Board for twenty-four years. He was a member of the Farm Credit Board for twelve years. He served several times on local school and church boards.
He loved being a rancher. He loved his cows and horses. He could still rope a calf at age ninety-three. He always helped his neighbors. He helped young people get their start in the ag business. He showed people from all over the world what ranch life was and introduced them to the way of life he loved. He enjoyed his cookies and coffee every morning at ten just like he had to have his breakfast at seven, his lunch at noon, and supper at six.
Any memorials will be gifted to American Legion Battle Creek Post #303.
Services were held Friday, Oct. 2, at the Hermosa School in Hermosa, South Dakota. Military honors were rendered by Battle Creek Legion Post 303 and the US Navy, and were held Friday, at Black Hills National Cemetery.
Please join the family in honoring Don by enjoying a cup of coffee and a cookie sometime soon.