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Dr Thomas Randolph Kilian

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Birth	:	23 Mar 1924 Vilas, Miner County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	26 Apr 2014 Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	West Nidaros Lutheran Church Cemetery, Crooks, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.7027300, -96.7926200
Description	:	Dr. Thomas Randolph Kilian, South Dakota educator, author, and founder of Kilian Community College, passed away at his Sioux Falls home on Saturday, April 26, 2014. A memorial service to celebrate his 90 years of life will be on Wednesday, May 7, 11:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls. Interment will be at the West Nidaros Lutheran Church, Crooks, SD. He was born on March 23, 1924 in Vilas, SD to Ward and Mabel Kilian. Growing up in rural South Dakota, he described his childhood, "I grew up a barefoot kid on the prairie, chasing gophers and listening... Read More	Dr. Thomas Randolph Kilian, South Dakota educator, author, and founder of Kilian Community College, passed away at his Sioux Falls home on Saturday, April 26, 2014. A memorial service to celebrate his 90 years of life will be on Wednesday, May 7, 11:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls. Interment will be at the West Nidaros Lutheran Church, Crooks, SD. He was born on March 23, 1924 in Vilas, SD to Ward and Mabel Kilian. Growing up in rural South Dakota, he described his childhood, "I grew up a barefoot kid on the prairie, chasing gophers and listening to meadowlarks." He was a graduate of Howard, SD High School. He graduated from Augustana College, Sioux Falls; Boston University (MS), Boston, MA and Michigan State University (Ph.D.) at Lansing. He attended the Harvard University Graduate School of Business in 1971. While at Augustana, he met Lorna J. Pearson, Brandon, SD. They were married August 27, 1949. He began his lifelong career in higher education at Waldorf College, Forest City, IA. In 1952, he began working for Augustana College as Director of Public Relations and Admissions; Vice President of Development, 1961-74; and Executive Vice President until 1982. He served the college for over thirty years. In 1974, Governor Richard F. Kneip appointed him South Dakota Secretary of Education and Cultural Affairs. In 1976 he began developing a community college program, the forerunner of Kilian Community College, Sioux Falls. He founded the Rural Initiative Center, a consultation and educational resource center, in 1987. Dr. Kilian served with over 100 local, state, regional and national service-based organizations. Notable service accomplishments include: President, SD State Historical Society; co-founder, the Center for Western Studies (Augustana College); co-founder, South Dakota Public Television; Minnehaha Century Fund; Sioux Falls Beautiful; South Dakota Future Society; vice-president, First Lutheran Church (Sioux Falls); director, Sioux Falls Symphony Association and the SD Library Association. He is a member of the South Dakota Hall of Fame. He received the Augustana Alumni College Achievement Award and is listed in Who's Who in the Midwest and Who's Who in America. An avid historian, amateur archaeologist and conservationist, Dr. Kilian was a consultant to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and a member of the Badlands Natural History Association, The Wilderness Society, and the American Association for Indian Affairs. He was instrumental in the establishment of South Dakota's newest state park at Blood Run. He was a noted authority on the history of South Dakota and the Great Plains. He served in the U.S Army from 1942-1946 in Iceland and the South Pacific. He fought in the Battle of Okinawa as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 96th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Bronze Star (Valor). After the war, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and served with the Philippine Scouts battling Communist land reform forces. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Tom is survived by his wife Lorna, four children, James (Vicky), Sioux Falls; Peter (Tari), Aberdeen, SD; Mary Kilian Gaul (Hans), Carlsberg, Germany; Susan Kilian, Sioux Falls; and four grand children, Katherine Kilian; Thomas Gaul; Philipp Gaul; and Anna Gaul. He was preceded in death by his daughter Anne; parents, Ward and Mabel Kilian; and his brother, Austin, Palm Desert, CA. The family suggests that memorials may be sent to Kilian Community College; The Center for Western Studies, Augustana College; the South Dakota State Historical Society; or the First Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Dr Thomas Randolph Kilian's memorial?
Dr Thomas Randolph Kilian's memorial is located at: West Nidaros Lutheran Church Cemetery, Crooks, Minnehaha County, USA.
When did Dr Thomas Randolph Kilian death?
Dr Thomas Randolph Kilian death on 26 Apr 2014 in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Dr Thomas Randolph Kilian's memorial?
Latitude: 43.7027300
Longitude: -96.7926200

Family Members:

Parent

Ward V Kilian

(1896 - 1978)

Mabel A Kilian

(1899 - 1993)

Siblings

Austin Farland Kilian

(1920 - 2012)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. West Nidaros Lutheran Church Cemetery
Crooks, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7027300, -96.7926200

2. Dalemoe Cemetery
Crooks, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6698000, -96.7715600

3. Pioneer Cemetery
Sverdrup Township, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7050018, -96.7406006

4. Lyons Cemetery
Crooks, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6893997, -96.8561020

5. Benton Lutheran Cemetery
Crooks, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6603600, -96.8548470

6. Peterson Cemetery
Renner, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6403900, -96.7534300

7. East Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery
Baltic, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7321500, -96.6994100

8. Saint Olaf Cemetery
Baltic, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7689018, -96.7296982

9. Willow Creek Lutheran Cemetery
Dell Rapids, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7905500, -96.8120600

10. Berg Cemetery
Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6122017, -96.7514038

11. Stordahl Cemetery
Dell Rapids, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7927440, -96.7195240

12. Minnehaha Cemetery
Colton, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7751200, -96.9107500

13. South Dakota Veterans Cemetery
Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6228800, -96.6776300

14. Bethel Cemetery
Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5872002, -96.8107986

15. Minnehaha County Cemetery
Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6025009, -96.7003021

16. Saint Pauls Cemetery
Garretson, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7318200, -96.6297480

17. Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Colton, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7829700, -96.9205700

18. Colton Cemetery
Colton, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7840980, -96.9207950

19. Saint Ansgar Cemetery
Colton, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8078003, -96.8906021

20. Burk Cemetery
Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8300018, -96.8103027

21. Hartford Cemetery
Hartford, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6227989, -96.9308014

22. Swedona Covenant Cemetery
Brandon, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6394100, -96.6311500

23. Saint George Cemetery
Hartford, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6189003, -96.9408035

24. Saint Michael Catholic Cemetery
Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5786018, -96.7117004