The family asks that memorials in Hal's name be made to Veteran's Honored Interment (c/o The Michael J. Fitzmaurice SD Veterans Home; 2500 Minnekahta Ave. Hot Springs, SD 57747) They are a not-for-profit organization supported entirely through donations. The program builds burial vessels (both urns and caskets) for fellow veterans and their spouses.

Harold Bertus "Hal" Ross, 95, of Rapid City, South Dakota, peacefully transitioned into the Kingdom of Heaven at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, April 17th at the Ft. Meade VA Hospital Hospice "E" Ward in Sturgis, South Dakota, cradled in the arms of his nurses.

Hal is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 28 years, Elnora Lyke-Ross; former wife, Velma (Morrill) Austin (Charles) of Tacoma, WA and mother of children Michael Ross (Sheryl) of Rapid City, SD; Meryl Pelletier of Raymond, NH; Martine Roth (Terry) of Tacoma, WA; and Maria Corkern of Alpharetta, GA; stepsons Richard Lyke (Patricia) of Lebanon, OH and Michael Lyke of Rapid City, SD; 11 grandchildren and six step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.

He was preceded in death by parents Lola Dell (Parker) Ross and Arthur Irving Ross; siblings Alice (Ross) Smith (Bud), Floyd Ross (Elsie), Walter Ross (Martha), Lois (Ross) Heil (Arthur); former wife Charlotte (Skerke) Ward (James), mother of sons Ronald H. Ross, Sr. and Jerry C. Ross; and daughters-in-law Karen (Redal-Martin) Ross and Rita (Schorsch) Ross; as well as many of his friends.

The youngest of five children, Harold was born and raised in Mobridge, South Dakota.  He graduated in 1942 from Mobridge High School, being crowned Homecoming King by his classmates. He also was on the basketball team.  Pearl Harbor was attacked on his 18 ^th birthday, so after graduating, he enlisted in the US Navy as a member of The Greatest Generation.  After serving his country, he was honorably discharged.  Hal then worked at the Ft. Meade VA hospital as a personnel clerk in Building 55 which, ironically, was just a few blocks from where he passed away. (That building is now the Ft. Meade Museum.) It appealed to him that his life had come full-circle.  He then enlisted in the US Army in 1948 and retired after 22 total years of service with the rank of Major in 1965 at Ft. Lewis Army & McChord Air Force Bases, WA.  He then joined the Retired Major Ordinance Corps and Retired Reserves.

During his dedicated service to our country, Hal proudly served overseas in countries such as China, South Korea, Germany and France.  He attended Northwestern University, graduated from the US Army Ordinance and Signal Schools, and was proud that he successfully completed a total of 8 years of courses throughout his long military career.

As an operations officer, Harold had 10 years of nuclear weapons and missiles field experience associated with both the guided-missiles and heavy-rockets programs.  He also ran technical proficiency inspection teams throughout that 10-year period, inspecting units for proper assemblage, storage, and handling of nuclear weapons and missile components, being held responsible for classified documents as a special weapons officer.  Even to the end, he wouldn't divulge the government information he was privy to at that time.

During his career, Hal was acknowledged time and time again for his integrity, dedication, and attention to detail.  Harold's awards and commendations include:  Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and the National Defense Service Medal.  His military career spanned from radio and radar repair to missile fueling and firing systems capable of launching nuclear weapons, as well as being a commanding officer of one company in South Korea and another in France.  After retiring in 1965, Harold was a Farmers Insurance agent for several years in Tacoma and Sequim, WA.

Hal never thought he was too old to enjoy life.  He loved to drive and would travel the country visiting his family.  He was dancing into his '60s and '70s; learned how to play the keyboard which led to playing and singing for local senior citizen dances in his '80s (he had a beautifully rich baritone voice); and into his '90s, he still drove, golfed, and gambled in Deadwood.  He also bought nearly as many cars in his lifetime as his age. He used to joke that he'd trade in a car before its first oil change, and in later years was happy if his golf score was under his age!

Gracefully aging and having a great sense of humor to the end, telling jokes and corny puns, Hal might quip, "I'm so old, I don't buy green bananas anymore."  He also liberally gave advice to anyone who knew him well.  His favorite phrases were: "Slow down; what's your rush?" Or, "Take one day at a time." And, "Don't sweat the small stuff; it's all small stuff."  His recipe for a long life was his love of faith, family, and friends; having a sense of humor and a daily purpose; eating and drinking in moderation; plus enjoying coffee in the morning and ice cream at night (chocolate-chip mint was his favorite).  If you ever want to feel the essence of Hal, just play some Big Band Era music and ballads from the 1940s and '50s, and maybe enjoy a slice of homemade lemon-meringue pie.

A faithful Christian and servant, Harold was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He also belonged to Meadowbrook Golf Course and regularly enjoyed playing golf in good weather, as well as cards at other times with his many friends.

The family asks that memorials in Harold's name be made to Veteran's Honored Interment (c/o The Michael J. Fitzmaurice SD Veterans Home; 2500 Minnekahta Ave., Hot Springs, SD 57747). They are a not-for-profit organization supported entirely through donations. The program builds burial vessels (both urns and caskets) for fellow veterans and their spouses.  Hal liked the idea of his casket being handmade by a veteran for a veteran.

Harold Ross's passing leaves a void in many of our hearts and lives, but as Christians, we have faith that we'll one day be reunited.  He would be greatly honored and deeply humbled by your presence here today.  "Until we meet again…"

Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. with full military honors rendered by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the VFW Post 1273 Honor Guard.