Gerald E. Teachout (2017)

ALDREN, BROOKS NEWMAN, DALES, DALY, DUGGER, SWIGERT, TEACHOUT, THATCHER, WASHINGTON

Posted By: Shirley Keating
Date: 3/29/2024 at 16:50:57

Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home
Rapid City, South Dakota
November 2017

GERALD E. TEACHOUT
October 12, 1924 - November 26, 2017

Jerry Teachout took his final flight in the early morning hours of November 26, 2017. Born on a farm near Shenandoah, Iowa to Anna Mary (Brooks Newman) and Lowell F. Teachout on October 12, 1924, he first saw an airplane up close at the Omaha Municipal Airport when he was 14 years old. In his autobiography Jerry noted, "It was a North American Military AT-6 and none of our bunch had ever seen a plane, uniformed men, or a parachute like that, and when we saw that plane take off I was HOOKED! That experience of seeing my first airplane never left me, and my interest in anything and everything that had to do with flying became my dream." That hardscrabble farm kid had his eyes on the sky and there was no way anyone was going to keep him "down on the farm.” Jerry began working with planes at 16 and his dream of becoming a pilot was realized at 19. He went on to log more than 12,000 hours of flying time during a 28-year career in the USAF. His service in late WWII and the Korean, Vietnam and Cold Wars took him to all corners of the globe and he was awarded several medals for his military service.

Wherever the USAF sent him, Jerry would study the culture, the history, geology and geography of the area. He was a voracious and "hands on" learner and his driving curiosity was the key to his involvement in many hobbies. He did leather work, made guns, created silver and stone jewelry and played the organ. From an early age he loved working with wood and will be remembered for the wooden crosses he carved and the turkeys he created of wood and pines cones that he gave to friends and family. He designed and built several family homes and business structures. He loved hunting and fishing and had a great gun collection, but In his later years he chose to simply watch the deer and feed the turkeys that abounded in the yard.

After their retirement from the USAF, he and Darlene enjoyed traveling in their RV to see friends and family and attend reunions of his USAF squadrons. When they purchased the Timber of Ages (now Elk Creek Resort and Black Hills Petrified Forest and Campground), which they operated for 42 years, he delved into geology and built a rock shop and geology museum for the attraction. When they settled in Piedmont (he really didn’t know the word “retire”), they both became totally committed to their community, the state and its people. The organizations Jerry served are numerous, and he was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church for 55 years and co-founded the Piedmont Valley Lions Club. As a "rock hound" he was very involved with the Darton Geological Society and Northern Hills Archeological Society. Jerry was a pioneer in the area visitor industry, working with the Rapid City Hospitality and the Black Hills Badlands & Lakes Associations. He was inducted into the Black Hills Tourism Hall of Fame in 2005.

He was a co-founder of American Legion Post 311 in Piedmont and, after retirement from the USAF in 1971, he remained active in several military organizations, including the Rapid City VFW, Korean War Veterans Post 160, the Order of Daedalions (Military Pilots) and the Military Officers Association of America. He co-founded of the South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth EAFB in 1983 and served as board president for several years. He travelled with the SD Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2009 and was inducted into the SD Air Crew Memorial of the SD Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010. He was a member of the Black Hills Veterans Writing Group (now the SD Veterans Forum) and penned Give Me Wings: A Memoir of My Life as an Air Force Pilot, published in 2013.

Dad was gone a lot when we were growing up, and at the time we didn't understand where he was or why he was gone. We only knew that he wasn't home. His autobiography provided the intimate details of his work as an Air Force pilot. His story gave us a greater appreciation of, not only what our own father AND mother did, but of the sacrifices made by all of our veterans and military personnel and their families. In the end Jerry’s military service provided the foundation for the life he lived and he gave this advice to his children "1) live with integrity, 2) have respect for yourself and others, and 3) you are responsible for your actions and the consequences." Thank you, Dad, for your service and dedication and the legacy you leave by example.

Jerry leaves a family that includes daughter Anna Marie (Graham) Thatcher of Rapid City, sons Bruce (Nancy) of Yankton, Bryan (Lisa) of Rapid City and Brent (Lonie) of Piedmont; grandchildren Jessica (Jason) Washington, Robert (Anne), Joel, and Eric Teachout, Kristy (Todd) Aldren, and Sarah Daly; great-grandchildren Jilian and Jonah Aldren and Devin Washington; brothers Orlin (Connie) and Bryce (Mary), sisters in law Betty (Lloyd) Dales and Shirley Teachout and numerous extended family and friends. He is also survived by an exchange "daughter," Chie (Nori) Otsubo of Marugame, Kagawa, Japan, "grandson", Kazuhiro (Erina) and "great-grandaughter, Yuzu; and Isabel Herguera, his AFS "granddaughter" from San Sebastian, Spain. Jerry was preceded in death by Darlene, his wife of 70 years, sisters Ruth Swigart and Doris Dugger, brother Elvin, and his parents.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Pastor Karl Kroger and special friends, Sr. Susan Pohl and Rebeca Lyle, for their visits to Jerry, and also to the angels at Clarkson Health Care for providing such wonderful care during his residence there. Bless you all!

Family Visitation and Reception will be Wednesday, November 29, 5 to 7:00 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Services will be Thursday, November 30 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Piedmont, followed by lunch.

Burial with Military Honors is at 1:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery. Jerry requested that memorials be directed to the Grace United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, and condolences may be sent to 3213 West Main Street #272, Rapid City, SD 57702.
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Transcriber's Note: Gerald E. Teachout was married to Darlene M. Nelson in Winterset, Iowa, on June 29, 1947, as stated in Darlene's obituary on the Madison County Genealogical website.

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