Ronald Clinton Eilefson, 75, passed away on September 29, 2024, in Rapid City, South Dakota, after a long battle with esophageal cancer. Ron was a longtime resident of the Hayward/Keystone area.
Born on October 3, 1948, Ron graduated from Rapid City High School and continued his education at Black Hills State College. He went on to dedicate much of his life to the National Park Service, retiring in 2009 after 24 years of service at both Wind Cave and Mount Rushmore National Parks. Even in retirement, Ron remained deeply committed to conservation, volunteering at numerous national parks and wildlife refuges across the country. He often spoke fondly of the people he met along the way, especially those at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.
Ron was a man who found joy in the simplicity of life. He loved being outdoors and was happiest surrounded by nature. His travels took him to countless wild places where he hiked with his beloved dogs Bandit and Pepe and shared stories of his adventures with others. Whether volunteering or simply admiring the world around him, Ron embraced every opportunity to protect and celebrate the natural world.
He is lovingly remembered by his sisters Cindy and Deanna; brother-in-law Larry; nephew Nick; niece Kimberly; and best friends Serge and Lynn. He was preceded in death by his mother Reba, father Clint, stepfather Lee, and his dogs Bandit and Pepe.
A memorial service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Keystone, SD, on October 2, 2025, at 3 p.m.
In honor of Ron’s passion for conservation, a memorial donation may be made to The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/plant-a-billion/.
May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and inspiration to all who cherish the wild places he held dear.