Leo R. Splinter age 86, of Rapid City passed away on October 14, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society, New Underwood, SD.

Leo was born in New Ulm, MN on August 21, 1930 to Robert W. and Alice N. Splinter.  He was an only child.  Leo attended country school for his younger years and graduated from high school in Madelia, MN in 1947.  After high school graduation, he farmed with his parents for a few years before volunteering for the draft in 1953.  He joined the Army and served in Korea during the Korean War.  He was honorably discharged and returned home to Minnesota to continue farming.  He married Phyllis Frisvold on December 20, 1955.  Together, they raised 3 sons, Milton, Robert, and George.  Leo and Phyllis farmed until 1970 at which time they moved to Pemberton, MN where Leo worked as a farm implement mechanic.

He retired in 1985 and he and Phyllis moved to Hill City, SD.  They lived in Hill City until 2000 and moved to Rapid City.  Leo had a lifelong love of riding motorcycles. He started riding in 1946 on a Cushman scooter and in 1952 he purchased his pride and joy, a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow.  The Vincent Black Shadow was the world's fastest standard motorcycle of its day.  The motorcycle is on display at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.  Leo professionally raced motorcycles from 1954-1963 until he went into a cloud of dust at 85 mph and came out 25 feet in the air with no parachute resulting in a compound fracture of his leg.  Leo never lost his love for motorcycles and loved to talk about them to anyone who would listen. Leo and Phyllis used to go to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and tell visitors stories about the Vincent. Leo is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis Splinter, sons, Robert of Rapid City, SD and George (Lori) of Waseca, MN, grandchildren Sarah, Amy, Luke, Jennifer, Shannon, Emily and Jonathan, and 8 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Milton.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, November 4th, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with Chaplain H.B. Cleveland officiating.

Burial, with military honors rendered by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota A.R.N.G. , will be at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.