Lives Lost

Subject

The Rapid City Flood Memorial, located within Memorial Park, stands as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic flood June 9, 1972. Each name listed on the memorial is recorded here, along with a brief description and a photo if available.

The total number of people who perished in the flood was 238, including 5 missing. That number also includes three National Guardsmen, three firefighters, seven airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, one police reserve officer, and other rescuers.

We need your help - we would like to have a photo of each flood victim. If you have one available for digitization please see the Contact Us page for more information.

Description

Digital Memorial Wall for those lost in the 1972 flood.

Collection Items

Albers, William

William Albers, 54. Employed by the Black Hills Pack Plant at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and four children. Buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Albright, William Dean

William Dean Albright, 13. A student from West Junior High School. He was survived by his parents, two brothers and four sisters. Buried in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Alcott, Russell W.

Russell W. Alcott, 9. He was survived by his mother and one brother. Buried in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Allen, Susan Carol Williamson

Susan Carol Allen, 22. New Underwood, SD. She was survived by her husband and a one-year-old daughter. Buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Atkins, James C.

James C. Atkins, 94. Had been a farmer and then a Carpenter in Rapid City. He was survived by three daughters and three sons. Buried in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Atwater, Clara (Knutson)

Clara Atwater, 89. She was a resident of Clarkson Mt. View Rest Home at the time of her death. She was survived by six sons. Buried in the Pine Lawn Cemetery.

Back, Raymond Sebastian

Raymond Back was born 23 Sept 1904 in Chicago Illinois, to Joseph and Margaret (Prosser) Back.

He was raised in Redwood, MN and came to Rapid City in 1925 from Douglas, Wyoming where his family lived. He married Verna Minton September 19,1928 in…

Baldwin, James Howard Sr.

James H. Baldwin, Sr., 76. He owned and operated a locker plant. He lived on Canyon Lake Drive at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and one son. Buried in the Pine Lawn Cemetery.

Balsley, Mary Blanche (Criveau)

Mary Blanch Criveau Balsley was born 20 May 1908 at East Grand Forks Polk County MN to John Cariveau and Clarise Clara Bouschee Cariveau.

She was married to Herman Balsley 12 July 1926 in North Dakota. They lived for a time in the early 1930's in…

Barber, Daisy E.

Daisy E. Barber, 82, a widow from Wicksville, SD. She was visiting her sister in the Braeburn Addition where she perished. She was survived by three sons and two daughters. Buried in the Wicksville Lakeside Cemetery.

Bauch, Henry Andrew

Henry A. Bauch, Jr., 27. He was employed by a Vending Machine Company. He arrived in Rapid City from Burkburnett, TX, one year before the flood. He with his wife, Valerie, perished when hit by a wall of water while in their car. He was survived by…

Bauch, Valerie Jean (Weddington)

Valerie (Weddington) Bauch, 26. She arrived in Rapid City with her husband one year before the flood. She perished with her husband, Henry, by being swept away in their car after being hit by a wall of water. She was survived by one son, one…

Baumberger, Roland Babe

Roland J. Baumberger, 50. He owned and operated Flowers by Leroy until his death. He was survived by his wife and one son, David. Buried in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Beberger, Henry K.

Henry K. Beberger, 87, Montrose, SD. He was residing in a Rapid City nursing home at the time of his death. He was survived by a number of nephews and nieces from Montrose area. Buried in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Montrose, SD.

Bendert, Elmer Leonard

Elmer Bendert, 66. He was employed as a carpenter at the Robbins and Sterns Lumber Co. He lived in Jackson Park and he and others went to higher ground for safety, but perished when he went back to his house to answer a ringing phone. He was survived…