PIERRE, SD –

CRAIG D. SMITH, 89, passed away on October 31, 2023, in Pierre, SD at Avera St. Mary’s with his wife and family by his side. A visitation will be held from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Sunday, November 5 at Isburg Funeral Chapel with a prayer service starting at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Monday, November 6 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Pierre. For those unable to attend the services they will be live streamed on this page the day of the service.

Craig was born on October 22,1934 in Park Falls, WI, the son of Tell and Mary (Organist) Smith. While growing up his family lived in Park Falls and Ashland WI, as well as Yale and Plankinton, SD. He graduated from Kennebec High School in 1952. He was a very good athlete in baseball and basketball, scoring 34 points in one game. Craig also represented the school at Boy’s State.

He worked for the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) after high school graduation while attending South Dakota State University on the quarter system. He graduated in 1960 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering with no school debt. He moved to Pierre in 1960 and started working for SDDOT Highways in the Road Way Design Section.

In June of 1960, Craig asked a girl who was new in Pierre if she would like to attend a baseball game at Four Corners. Her name was Dorothy Varilek. She agreed and went to watch him play. He later became her softball coach. On August 5th, 1961, Dorothy and Craig joined in Holy Matrimony. They celebrated 62 years of marriage in 2023. He always called her the very pretty, smart, and special Dorothy.

His first duty with SDDOT was the responsibility for design of portion of the Interstate highway and design of sections of highways in certain cities. Craig obtained his Professional Engineer’s License by examination in 1970.

After 18 years with SDDOT Design, Craig accepted the position of Airport Engineer with the Department of Aeronautics, SDDOT. He was responsible for approval of all airport construction plans within the state of South Dakota. Craig had to review and approve all plans submitted by consultant engineers prior to submittal for advertising and construction. Craig also reviewed, for approval, the project after construction to ensure the project was constructed as per plans. Craig was not afraid to require the project contractor to make any changes in the construction to meet the requirement as per plans. His attention to detail and ethics earned Craig a sterling reputation that endures to this day. He was pleased to have worked with Consultant Engineers, FAA officials, and contractors to ensure projects were constructed as per plans which were an asset to the Airport Owners.

Craig was the President of the Regional Engineering Society, a member of the Conference for Bituminous Construction in Highways. He received the Knight of the Year Award from the Knights of Columbus in 2003. This is an honored award as only one Knight is chosen statewide. Craig was a member of Engine Company #2 of the Pierre Volunteer Fire Department and obtained his pilot’s license prior to an airplane crash in 1977, in which he was injured, along with pilot Howard Ice, and co-workers Dale Russell and Dean Gretschman. It slowed him down but did not stop him from enjoying an active life.

Craig and 5 others were responsible for getting Little League Baseball started in Pierre, South Dakota. Craig also was responsible for starting a Boy Scout Troup and Basketball team for 8th grade boys at St. Peter & Paul’s Church. He enjoyed coaching as much as playing. He coached baseball, softball, and basketball. Craig also enjoyed introducing others to the game of golf. He and Dorothy travelled South Dakota with a group of friends, playing golf and enjoying life. Craig had not one, but two, holes-in-one at Hillsview golf course. For years, Craig was the first person to buy a season pass to Hillsview.

His greatest treasures in life were his wife Dorothy, daughter Lisa (Darren) Larson, sons Brian (Kim), Jeff (Jamie), and Kevin (Lonna), 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandsons.

He was able to hunt with his sons and watch his daughter play golf from 8th grade thru high school. This was just a few of the many events Craig and wife Dorothy were able to watch involving their sons and daughter and grandchildren.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Tell, his sisters Karen, Gloria, Shirley, and Lacarda and brothers David, James, and John.

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