Vernon A. Tate, age 90, of Huron, peacefully passed away Thursday, April 9, 2020, at his home.

A private graveside service will be held in the Butler Cemetery, Letcher.

A celebration of life for Coach Vern Tate will be held on Saturday, August 15th from 4-7 PM at Prospect Park in Huron.  It is a come-and-go format.  Pay your respects and stay for as long as you like. There will be also be an opportunity to share stories.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Beadle County Human Society or Huron Regional Medical Center Hospice.

Vernon Aubrey Tate was born to Vernon F. and Jenny (Lewis) Tate on December 11, 1929, at Independence, Iowa. He grew up at Waterloo and graduated from West Waterloo High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1948, and was honorably discharged in 1950. Anxious to get a college education, Vern graduated from Western State at Gunnison, Colorado, receiving his BA degree in 1954. From there, he went on to get his Master's Degree at Adams State at Alamosa, Colorado. In the following years, he would receive additional education from Colorado State College, Ball State University and South Dakota State University.

He began his teaching and coaching career at Ordway, Colorado. From there, he went to Holly, Colorado, then to Alamosa, Colorado. He taught history and coached wrestling and football in all three locations. In 1967, then athletic director, Gil Peterson, hired Vern as head wrestling coach for Huron College. For 31 years, Vern taught physical education and history. He was chairman of the history department for many years. He also served as athletic director, was assistant football coach and his most noted position, head wrestling coach.

Vern was passionate about the career he had chosen and it was evident because of the lifelong friendships and admiration he acquired from his students, athletes, coaches and colleagues. Many of his student athletes would have taken a wrong path in life without the guidance of Coach Tate. He built a successful wrestling program year after year that was recognized nationally as one of the best in the nation. His accomplishments as Tribe wrestling mentor included 12 SDIC team titles, 7 national Top 20 finishes, 3 individual NAIA national champions, and 31 All-American honorees. Vern was voted Wrestling Coach of the Year for District 12 (1971, 73, 75); South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year (1980 thru 86); South Dakota Sportswriters Coach of the Year (1973); N.A.I.A. Wrestling Coach of the Year (1973, 80); inducted into the National (N.A.I.A.) Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999, into the S.D.I.C. Hall of Fame in 1991 and into the Huron College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. He received recognition for his 100th dual win in 1977, and for the 200th dual win in 1991. Vern was also voted Huron University Teacher of the Year (1990, 93, 94). His understanding of history and the interesting way he brought it to life was the admiration of all his students.

Vern loved being around people and each day involved social time with friends. One of his favorite destinations was his beloved cabin at West Whitlock Resort on Lake Oahe. He and his wife, Bonnie, along with family and friends, enjoyed many memorable years fishing and relaxing. After retirement, Vern continued to enjoy sporting events, with his wife and friends. He was a life-long member of the Elks Lodge and a member of the Beadle County Sportsmen's Club.

Vern is survived by his wife of 39 years, Bonnie; his sons, Dave (Patty) Tate and Andy (Hallie) Tate; his step-children, Todd (Diane) Larimer and Tracy (Jim) Beckwith; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; his brother, Brad (Susan) Tate; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Freese (Dave Thompson); his brothers-in-law, Gary (Janet)  Stach and Kenny (Lila) Stach; plus several nieces, nephews and cousins.