Richard Doud

Richard Doud, age 94, of Midland, South Dakota, died on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Scotchman Living Center in Philip.
Richard Henry Doud was born October 23, 1928, in Midland, SD to Ralph and Grace (Whisler) Doud. He grew up in Midland, where he also attended school and graduated in 1948.
Richard started working at a very young age. His first job was working after school in the local grocery store, where one of his jobs was sorting potatoes in the root cellar. As a teenager, he started his career in farming and ranching as a hired hand for several families across the state, including a family in Raymond and in Midland for Kruse Madsen and later for Ralph and Faye Jones.
During high school, Richard excelled in basketball. People came from miles around to watch him play. His movements around the court with his long legs and arms earned him the nickname, “Spider,” which stuck with him his whole life. He was given an opportunity to play basketball in college, but family commitments kept him close to home.
After high school, Richard rode bareback in rodeos around the state. Friends and family tell stories of famous rodeo cowboys seeing Richard’s talent and encouraging him to become professional. His response to their offers was, “You can’t raise a family on the road.” Richard never entirely gave up rodeo because years later he and his sons built their own rodeo arena. They hosted Play Days on Sunday afternoons and neighbor kids came to rope, and ride broncs.
Richard and Celia (Koehler) were united in marriage on September 1, 1951. They lived in Midland briefly before moving eight miles north into Stanley County, to begin ranching and farming on their own land. Richard and Celia were blessed with three children. Richard Lee, Ronald George, and Connie Gen. With their faith in God and hard work, they grew their farming and ranching operation over the next sixty years. Rich had the joy of seeing his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren working on the same place.
Church and community remained high priorities throughout Richard’s life. He was an active member of the Midland Open Bible Church, and he served with Gideons International for many years. He was a member of the Farm Credit Board and the Second Century Club. In his later years, he volunteered his time and labor at the Midland Museum, always taking pride in his community.
Richard avoided retirement well into his 80’s. Post retirement, he enjoyed building sheds and cabins, and doing woodworking projects in his garage--building many beautiful pieces of furniture and treasure chests for family and friends. He also enjoyed restoring old horse-drawn wagons, some of which are displayed on Midland’s Main Street.
Richard and Celia celebrated 71 years of marriage on September 1, 2022.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Celia; sons, Rick (Marlis) and Ron (Shirley); seven grandchildren: Jennifer (Patrick) Hallan, Tia (Josh) Johnson, Allison (Ryan) Crago, Lindsy (Chad) Reagle, Casey (Krystle) Doud, Heidi (Kent) Sybesma, and Jared Doud; and seventeen great-grandchildren; sister, Natalie Schied; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Connie, brothers: Ralph Doud Jr. and his wife Doris, Edward Doud and his wife Dorothy, sisters: Koral Doud, Irene Stelting and her husband Eddie, Grace Audrey Torres and her husband John, nephews: LeRoy Doud and Jim Woods, and brother-in-law, Dick Schied.
Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Open Bible Church in Midland with Pastor Randy Brock officiating.
Interment will follow at the Midland Cemetery.
 Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.