Walter P. Best, 79, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Thursday, February 20, 2014. He was born on August 28, 1934, in Beaver Township, Pennsylvania to Harry and Margaret (Weaver) Best. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1954 and served through the Korean and Vietnam Wars as a radio operator aboard EC-135 and KC-135's. He retired in 1974 as a Tech Sergeant after serving all over the world with SAC, including, New York, Mississippi, Montana, Morocco, Georgia, England, Florida, Vietnam, Minot and Ellsworth. After his retirement, Walt worked on the planes at the Air & Space Museum for years. After traveling up the ladder of Rushmore Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1273, he served as Commander from 1994-95, earning a prestigious White Hat. He sat all the chairs in District 10 and was an outstanding Commander 2001-02. Walt served many chairmanships in the VFW, including but not limited to VFW Booster for several years, bringing in many new members each year, he also served as Blood Drive Chairman, Youth Chairman and Voice of Democracy Chairman. Walt was active in the Military Order of the Cootie, the Honored Degree of the VFW, serving in all positions in Pup Tent #20 in Rapid City including Seam Squirrel. He was active in the Cootie Grand of South Dakota and in District 9 nationally. Walt never missed a VFW or Cootie meeting if he could avoid it, traveling many miles to help Veterans, including delivering day old donuts to the Veterans at Ft. Meade for years. He was also active in the DAV. He enjoyed camping and fishing when the family was growing up, and they survived the 1972 Flood while camping below Pactola Dam near McGee siding. Survivors include 3 sons, Chris (Susan) Best, Omaha, Neb., Mitchel Best, Rapid City and David Best, Rapid City and 2 granddaughters, Pamela (Matthew) Rauen, Northfield, Minn. and Stephanie (Joseph) Bristol, Omaha. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Grace in 2005 and a son, Ronald in 1974 and several siblings. Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with Chaplain H. B. Cleveland officiating. Inurnment, with military honors rendered by Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard and Rushmore VFW Post 1273, will be at 12 noon at Black Hills National Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Rushmore VFW Post 1273, 402 Main Street, Rapid City. Memorials may be directed to Rushmore VFW Post 1273, 402 Main St., Rapid City, SD 57701.