Dr. Gordon Kay Magnusson, a longtime resident of Rapid City, passed away peacefully on Jan. 19, 2016, with his family by his side.

He was born May 24, 1929, in Ithaca, NE, to his second generation Swedish and Danish parents, Frans Conrad and Bertha (Nissen) Magnusson. His childhood took place in small Nebraska farm towns where his father was School Superintendent. In 10th grade, the family settled in Wahoo, NE, where Dad graduated from high school. Never an especially strong athlete, he weighed a robust 115 pounds in his Junior year. He fondly told the story of how he decided to go out for football at that time. Unfortunately, in the only game he played, he found himself as the one thing between the opposing linebacker and the goal line. He recalls the other boy grinning evilly at him and knocking him head-over-heels in a complete somersault. He was carried off the field and went into track and band instead. Many will remember his beautiful, strong baritone voice, and he sang and played the trumpet in many competitions and choirs with top honors.

After he graduated high school at the tender age of 16, he attended two years at Luther College in Wahoo, which he described as the happiest of his life. Next he attended the University of Nebraska on a Regent Scholarship for both undergraduate and graduate studies. During this time, he played first trumpet in a University Dance Band and was President of the Student Choir. He graduated with his Dental Degree (DDS) in 1952, at the age of 23. In his undergraduate Junior year he was commissioned as an Ensign, HP, and upon graduation, reported to active duty in the Navy Reserve. Eventually, he served as a Lieutenant and provided dental care to soldiers in a MASH unit in Korea under the same conditions one sees on the television show.

Upon his return, he met and married Elizabeth Taylor Prior at the Memphis, TN, Naval Base, and from this union, three children were born. Dad returned to Nebraska to obtain his Masters in Orthodontics and graduated in 1957, the University's first class of orthodontists, as the youngest man in his class. During college, he had spent several summers bell hopping at Sylvan Lake Lodge, and he simply adored the Hills. Inspired by his love of the area, he moved his young family to Rapid and set up shop with 47-year-old equipment in downtown Rapid City.

Gordon loved what he did. At one point he traveled to eight satellite offices in various states and communities. He said orthodontics was "happy dentistry," and many people in our area will remember him as their orthodontist and attribute their smile to him. He was stern and did not tolerate noncompliance, but he was also very kind and quietly gave out a lot of free care. During this time he had the privilege to work professionally with several orthodontists who included Dr. Pev Evans and Dr. George Pendo. He served as President of the Black Hills District Dental Society, President of the South Dakota Orthodontic Society, Director of the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists, Director of the Begg Society of Orthodontists, on the Board of Delta Dental, and as Regional VP of the Flying Dentists Association (dentists who were private pilots). He was also appointed by Bill Janklow for 10 years to the South Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners. In 2009, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Dakota Dental Association.

His many hobbies included hunting, singing, cars, telling extremely long jokes, and behaving in an oft-time eccentric manner. For years he was spotted charging around town in his Studebaker Avantis, sometimes pulling people over to tell them to slow down. In 1981, he won a chance to conduct the Rapid City symphony. He wanted to play his favorite song, "Home on the Range," but was told the "Stars and Stripes Forever" was more appropriate. He practiced for the big day sitting in his dental chair conducting with a mouth mirror.

As a 12-year Reserve Police Officer, his one goal was to catch a robbery in progress, and one night he was called to Gibson's to do so. He crept the dark aisles with his gun out, his heart was pounding as he crept around the place. He turned a corner, and bam! There was a man pointing a gun straight at him! He about had a heart attack, until he (thankfully) realized it was a full length mirror and he was looking at himself.

He obtained his pilot's license in 1959 and flew his Mooneys all over the nation. He sang with the Rapid City Municipal Chorus, Barbershop, and Congregational Church Choirs. He loved his Volvos, and may he go down in infamy as the person who talked the Police Department in buying Volvos for their squad cars. He was a crack shot, and at the age of 75, he shot in rapid succession five pheasant cocks with five shots. It might have been over the limit, but who can blame a guy. Lastly, for Halloween in 1972, he dressed up as a frightening biker and terrorized the town. He went into Landstrom's and started to walk out with jewelry. When recognized, he was called a certain name. He went to Seeley's and walked out with suits. He was called a similar name. He went to his attorney's office, where the frightened man had his hand on his gun in his desk. Lastly, to the chagrin of his children, he visited the office of South Junior High.

Most of all, he was a beloved husband, son, uncle, father and grandfather. He married Helen Nelson in 1989 and spent 22 of his happiest years with her before her passing. His children and grandchildren remember him as a disciplinarian, but affectionate, smart as a whip, generous, loving, and simply hilarious. We will always remember him, and we are so proud of his accomplishments and "smile" legacy.

Gordon is survived by his three children, Bill (Mary) Magnusson of Erie, CO, Eric Magnusson of Los Angeles, and Leslie Magnusson Hildyard of Rapid City; four grandchildren, Patrick and Allen Magnusson, Brock and Carly Hildyard; and six nieces and nephews, Reed Baldwin, Kathy Baldwin, Pam Garrido, Robin Baldwin, Sue and Danny Radcliff.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery in Keystone, with Rev. Ted Huffman officiating. Military honors will be rendered by Rushmore VFW Post 1273.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.