Richard Vasgaard, a second-term Republican state representative from Turner County, died yesterday in a farming accident.
As I said online, South Dakota’s citizen legislature works because of leaders like Richard Vasgaard. He was a good legislator and a very good man. The state legislature relies on the varied expertise and life experience of its members, and as a lifelong farmer, Richard brought a wealth of knowledge about South Dakota’s largest industry.
State legislators are invited to attend a huge variety of events, and Richard attended many of them – always wearing his SDSU Jackrabbits cap, and usually accompanied by his wife, Joyce.
Rep. Vasgaard is the first state legislator to die in office since Rep. Bob Glanzer of Huron, who was one of the first South Dakotans to died of Covid in April 2020. Vasgaard’s death has brought an outpouring from his legislative colleagues, among whom he was a well-liked and respected friend. His obituary will be posted here.
SoDak Governors 