“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a Ride!’”
— Hunter S. Thompson
Kirby Lee Oswald lived exactly that way—full throttle, heart wide open, and always up for the next adventure. He turned 65 and a day, and on that extra day, he did what he loved most: rock hunting. Under a wide-open sky, surrounded by the beauty of nature, he left this world in the best way possible—doing what made him happiest.
A rockhound extraordinaire. A jack of all trades. A son, a little brother to three, a father of two, and a proud grandfather of three. A friend to many, with a heart bigger than most.
Always helping, always giving, and if you knew him, you knew—there is such a thing as
Kirby time.
Born on February 22, 1960, in Eureka, South Dakota, to Oliver and Norma Oswald, Kirby was raised on a farm alongside his three older siblings. That’s where his love for rocks began. His mom taught him how to spot the good ones—fossils, arrowheads, or just plain pretty. That passion stayed with him for life.
Kirby graduated from Eureka High School in 1978. After high school, he worked in the oil fields of Dickinson, North Dakota, where he met Patricia Bernhardt. The two married in the Black Hills in 1982 before settling on the family farm in Eureka, where they farmed side by side and raised their daughters, Kassandra and Kymberly.
Taking over for his father, Kirby ran the farm for the next 22 years, raising cattle and tending to the land. Over the years, he wore many hats—literally and figuratively. He operated a guided pheasant hunting company, Campbell County Pheasant Busters, welcoming hunters from across the country. With a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and history, he took on the restoration of many aging barns in the area, and his tree business, Kutters Tree Service, not only kept him busy but introduced him to countless people who became lifelong friends.
After his daughters moved to Rapid City following high school, Kirby and Patricia soon followed, settling in the Black Hawk area. As his daughters moved on to new places, Kirby found himself migrating around the Hills, taking on different jobs, meeting new people, and, of course, discovering all the best rocks.
Whether it was farming, tree work, or fixing just about anything, Kirby never met a challenge he didn’t take on. But beyond the work, it was his passions that defined him—riding motorcycles in the Hills, making the annual pilgrimage to Sturgis, fishing, hunting, and, of course, rock hunting. More than anything, though, he lived to help others, never hesitating to lend a hand when needed.
Kirby now joins those who went before him: his dad, Oliver (2017), his brother, Clyde (2022), and his mom, Norma (2023).
He is survived by his daughters, Kassandra (Will) Hubbard, with grandchildren Anika and Tobin, and Kymberly (Ray) Allen, with granddaughter Olivia. He also leaves behind his sisters, Sherry Oswald (Robb Rasmussen) and Bev (Terry) Dye, as well as many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.
Kirby’s story wasn’t one of quiet moments and playing it safe. He lived fully, gave generously, and left us all with a reminder to chase what we love, help when we can, and never take life too seriously. His ride may have ended, but what a ride it was.
