Walter John Bradsky Sr., 84, Rapid City, was welcomed into Eternal Life on Sunday, March 12, 2017.

"Walt" Bradsky, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, was born   May 10, 1932 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Charles and Vilma (aka Wilma) Bradsky. He  attended Cathedral High School. He then completed college (pre-law) at Marquette University in Milwaukee, with his 4th year also serving as his 1st year in Law School. He transferred to and graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School with the degree of Bachelor of Laws on June 4, 1956 and received his license to practice law from the Supreme Court of South Dakota  on June 6, 1956. He later received a gaming license from the South Dakota Commission on  Gaming on June 28, 2001. While receiving multiple awards and commendations over the years, Walt was especially proud of the Tom Didier Excellence in Family Business Award received in 2011.

While attending Marquette University in Milwaukee, he met the love of his life, Elizabeth   "Betty" Martens.        On August 20, 1955 he married Betty at Holy Family Catholic Church in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. To this union were born 7 children: John, Thomas, David, Elizabeth, Richard, Paul, and Sandra.

Walt joined the United States Air Force in 1957 and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana, and served as a military attorney designated as a Judge Advocate. He served as trial counsel on many courts-martial, where it was said that his legal aptitude, personality, ethics, preparation, and appearance instilled great confidence in him. At the time, it was reported that his "was the best work accomplished by any Judge Advocate in the Fifteenth  Air Force." He was honorably discharged as a Captain after serving for 3 years.

Walt then returned to Rapid City working with Attorney Jim Brennen in his private law practice. Seeking further opportunity, he applied for and was offered a job with Northrop as a Contract Administrator for the Minuteman  Missile  Silos----this,  even though he had no contract experience and even though 26 other attorneys with contract experience applied for the job. For those who knew him, you can appreciate that his Air Force evaluations and efficiency ratings    were that stellar!  Always prepared, he studied complex manuals and negotiated huge multi­   million dollar contracts.   Since Northrop was the prime subcontractor  for Martin Marietta (a major contractor for Air Force installations), Martin Marietta witnessed Walt's aptitude and work ethic first-hand,  and hired  Walt "on the  spot" as soon as they received  his job  application.   He and his wife, Betty, were off to Denver, Colorado. Northrop wanted him back and offered to let  him "write his own ticket" as their head contract administrator.  He would have had to move to  India but God had other plans....

Walt and Betty wanted a family, and Walt wanted to be back in his hometown of Rapid City. He was hired by Bangs McCullen Law Firm and continued to work there for 18 years, eventually founding Bradsky Law Office. From there, Walt's entrepreneurial zeal inherited from his father really kicked in. He founded or was invested in over a dozen companies. 2 of his 5 sons joined his law practice, which then became Bradsky, Bradsky & Bradsky, P.C. 2 grandchildren have since joined the firm-so far! With his never-failing advice, support and financial assistance, the