Gary Tschetter, age 64, of Rapid City and formerly of Huron, died Thursday, January 5, 2017, after a brave fight with brain cancer, at Hospice House in Rapid City. His funeral service washeld at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 14th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. A celebration of life and burial will be held this coming summer in Silver City, SD. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Rapid City Young Life and the Silver City Historical Society, to be sent to 4202 Timothy Street, Rapid City, SD 57702.
Gary Eugene Tschetter was born on June 6, 1952 in Huron, South Dakota, to Menno and Betty Jean Tschetter. He spent his formative years in Huron with his older brother Neil and younger brother Bruce. Gary graduated from Huron High School in 1971. Through all of his life, Gary loved adventure and travel, calling many places home, from Silver City, South Dakota to Naples, Forida. He spent much of his time on Staniel Cay in the Bahamas entertaining family, friends, and the locals.
Gary was a loyal friend, and the glue that held everyone together with his exceptional enthusiasm for life and infectious laugh. He had an incredible knack for making close, life-long friends who will miss him dearly. Gary always maintained a positive attitude, lived for the day, and was fearless in checking items off his bucket list with his "No Worries" frame of mind. His favorite activities included boating, downhill skiing (especially in Jackson Hole), "entertaining" (aka partying), hiking and biking, riding his Harley, and blaring rock songs as loud as the speakers could handle. On his more daring days he took on heliskiing, paragliding, scuba diving and swimming with sharks. He was also a true entrepreneur who started numerous successful businesses over the years.
He was preceded in death by his father, Menno Tschetter of Huron.
Gary is survived by his daughter, Allison Caster and grandson, Quintin of Arvada, Colorado; his step-daughter Melissa (Travis) White of Las Vegas and their children; his mother, Betty Tschetter of Huron; his brothers, Neil (Peggy) Tschetter of Rapid City and Bruce (Nancy) Tschetter of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his nephews and nieces, Rob (Stacie) Tschetter of Rapid City, Patrick Tschetter of Seattle, Washington, Sarah (Kirk) Tschetter of Casper, Wyoming, Joe (Jamie) Tschetter of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Nick Tschetter of Los Angeles, California; and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
As Gary liked to say: "Enjoy the journeyGod's got this!"