Ted was born in Deadwood, SD and grew up in Aladdin Wyoming on a ranch with Mother, Flora (Wheeler) and his Dad, (Ben).  He was the youngest of three children and was quite the "Miracle Baby" as his Mom miscarried his twin brother one month before they realized there was another baby to be born—that child was Ted.

He was an exceptionally curious boy intrigued with finding out how things worked.  At a young age, he built his own riding contraptions and gadgets.  At the same time, he was discovering, he was learning great life lessons on the ranch—to work hard even when you have no gas, to play hard because that is when your mind works the best, and to always be humble.

In 1966 Ted graduated from Sundance High School.  It seemed a natural pathway to everyone that he go to college and study engineering so fittingly he took off for Lowell, Wyoming.  While at college though, he discovered he would much rather go to Flight School than finish his engineering degree.  He went home told his folks and he said they always thought they knew that day would come as he soloed for the first time long before he graduated from high school.  He financed his flight lessons in high school by selling chickens and eggs raised on their ranch ! He graduated in1968 from Ag Aviation Academy at Stead Airport, Reno with his commercial pilot's license.

He arrived in Viet Nam just in time to take part in the infamous Tet Offensive.  As a sergeant, one of his comrades and best friends said that Ted was the leader they could trust and never doubt his decisions and always relied on them.  "The faith and respect he had in his soldiers created in them having the faith in him to do what was right".  He was two months from finishing his tour when he was shot leading his platoon out of Cambodia back into Vietnam.  It was a long recovery for Ted seeing many return trips to Fitz Simmons hospital in Denver, Colorado.

Ted never lost sight of his dream and eventually saw clear to live it.  In 1973 Ted became the first airport manager of Black Hills Airport and stayed for the next 20 years.  During that time he founded the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame in 1991.   He initiated fundraisers such as the famous Pork Chop on a stick food booth at the Art Festival, fly-ins, and the annual induction ceremonies.

In 1993 Ted built Black Hills Aero--FBO and continued all of his activities, work and flying till present day.  Sadly, he died on 9-11-2022—a True Hero.

Ted left behind his loving wife, Pearl; his children, Charity Baptista (Cash), Shannon Gulbranson (Marijo), Shawna Witt (Eric), Becky Hansen (Bill) and Stephanie Badwound (Sean); and special Family member, Duke (Shawn); Bob and Corrine Miller (brother), his loving nieces and nephews and many, many good and loving friends.

Ted will be profoundly missed by his loving Grandchildren who he has tried to teach how to work hard, play hard and always be humble, Seth, Wyatt, Katelyn, Grady, Gavin, Brynn, Sean, Bradley, Riley, Olivia, Brady, Bailey, and Sydney; Great Grandchildren, Jocelyn, Drake, Drew and Brooks. We love you and will always miss you.

Ted was predeceased by his folks, sister and son, Travis in 1994.

Graveside services with military honors will be Friday, September 16, 2022, 10:30 a.m., at Black Hills National Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 17, 2022, 10:00 a.m., at Black Hills Aero, Clyde Ice Field, Spearfish, SD.

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