Richard (Dick) Louis Taylor, 88, died Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born July 4, 1921 in Valentine, NE to Walter and Beryl (Kirschner) Taylor. The family moved from Harrington, SD to Rapid City, SD shortly after Richard was born. He graduated from high school in Rapid City and received a degree in civil engineering from SDSM&T. Richard married Pearl Sanders October 29, 1943. They briefly lived in Seattle during WWII while Richard worked for Boeing Company. They returned to the Black Hills where they ranched in partnership with Richard’s father and brother, the late Walt Taylor and the late Harold (Gene) Taylor, respectively. Richard was very active in the community for over fifty years: He was director from the Pennington County district for the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) for 26 years; president of the Board of Governors to administer the SDSGA scholarship fund to the Rapid City Boys Club; chairman of the SDSGA Land Use Committee; and the association’s representative on the National Cattlemen’s Association Public Lands Committee. He also served as the chairman of the South Dakota Public Lands Council for several years. Richard was the past director of the Black Hills Exposition and Central States Fair; director/president of the South Dakota Hereford Association; and director/president of the Black Hills Hereford Breeder’s Association for many years. He was the past director/chairman of the Western Junior Livestock Show and the Pennington County Extension Board; local school board chairman for fifteen years and a 4-H leader for more than twenty-five years. He was also the past president of the Pennington County 4-H Leaders Association. Richard and Pearl operated the Golden Rule Hereford Ranch in the Rapid Valley, Deerfield, and Pactola areas, before retiring to the Pactola ranch. From the mid-1950’s to mid -1970’s, Richard called for square and round dance clubs throughout the Black Hills and taught classes in both types of dancing. In 1995, Richard and Pearl were recipients of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce “Aggie Award” for their service to agriculture in South Dakota. He was also awarded the Tom Didier Pioneer Award in 2005. The Taylor’s dedication and involvement in the SDSGA, the Black Hills Stock Show, Central State’s Fair and other community committees rightfully earned them the spot in the 2005 Black Hills Stock Show Hall of Fame. Richard was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his great-grandchildren. He recently commented, “I’ve walked this earth for 88 years, so it can’t get any better than that.”Survivors include his wife, Pearl of 66 years; three daughters, Pamela (Curt) Johnson, Piedmont, Patricia (Jerrold) Vaughn, Pactola, and Susan (Gary) Thar, Gillette, Wyo.; his sister Florence (Darrel) Hansen, Hill City; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold Taylor, sister Constance Blair, sister Alice Sanders, and granddaughter Gina Thar.