Neil Clyde Hultman (94) was born February 19, 1929, to Clyde and Leota Hultman in Highmore, South Dakota. Ever the loving and strong husband, Neil remained protective of his wife of 70 years, Ramona, until her passing on December 20, 2023. His work done here on earth, Neil passed peacefully on January 27, 2024, reuniting with Ramona just five weeks after her death.

Neil's mother died when he was just a child, but he was blessed to be raised by his Aunt Clara and Uncle Charlie Hultman in Holabird. Neil completed high school in Highmore prior to moving to Sturgis, which became his forever home.

Neil was "Sturgis" long before Sturgis was cool. Neil was just 18 years old in 1947 when he bought his first motorcycle, a new Indian Chief, from Pappy Hoel, the father of what was to become the Sturgis Rally. Neil and a high school buddy had agreed to buy motorcycles, and Neil kept his end of the bargain by purchasing his Indian Chief for $900.

In 1947, the rally focused mainly on the races hosted by the Jackpine Gypsies, but tours from Sturgis to Mount Rushmore were added as an additional attraction. Neil was selected to be the club's first road captain leading the tours that are still a tradition today. A young Fort Meade Hospital nurse named Ramona Nelson volunteered as medical assistance for that first Mount Rushmore tour. The beautiful young nurse caught Neil's eye. It was appropriate an event that would become an integral part of the Hultman family would be what first brought Ramona and Neil together.

Neil's involvement with the Rally was only interrupted by his military service and the Korean War. Neil joined the army in 1947 and served in Korea through 1951. He was a medic, serving in a forward aid station and mobile army surgical hospital, popularly known as a MASH unit. Following his discharge from the army, Neil worked 37 years as a lab technician at the Fort Meade Hospital. After his retirement, Neil worked for the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce organizing the Rally for the city when they first took it over in the late 1980's.

Indian motorcycles were central to Neil's life, but his main love was for his wife of almost 70 years, Ramona and his family. Neil and Ramona were married, lived, and worked on the grounds of Fort Meade, and raised their four children there. It was no wonder Neil enjoyed bowling and swimming as both were available on the grounds. Neil and Ramona balanced schedules by Neil working days and Ramona working the swing shift. This meant many meals were prepared by Neil, leading him to be a good cook making the best lasagna.

Neil will be dearly remembered as a fun and ice cream loving grandfather. He enjoyed fishing and had many adventures on the Missouri River, Deerfield Lake, and in Canada with his fishing buddies, sons and grandsons. His passion for motorcycles has been passed on not only to his children but also to his grandchildren, Riley and Brody. Neil's daughter-in-law, once publicly proclaimed, "my child will not own a motorcycle before the age of 18." The Easter Bunny (aka Papa Neil) bought Riley his first motorcycle when he was only 4 years old, and Riley started racing the Peewee 50 that same year. Said daughter-in-law loved Neil dearly despite this. Brody currently works for Polaris, the manufacturer of Indian motorcycles.

Neil was proceeded in death by his parents Clyde and Leota Hultman, wife, Clara "Romona" Hultman, aunt, Clara Hultman, uncle, Charlie Hultman, sister, Charlotte Cotton, sister, Shirley Cole, and sister, Judy Hultman.

He is survived by brother, Tony Hultman; sister, Kay Rogers; daughter, Cheri Hultman; sons, Rick Hultman, Brian (Marcia) Hultman, and Greg Hultman; grandsons, Riley Hultman, and Brody Hultman.

A memorial has been established for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

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