Roland Van Gerpen
Roland Van Gerpen | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives | |
| In office January 6, 1981 – July 13, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Nachtigal |
| Succeeded by | Louise Van Gerpen |
| Constituency |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Roland W. Van Gerpen August 3, 1926 Avon, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | July 13, 1983 (aged 56) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, including Bill |
| Relatives |
|
Roland W. Van Gerpen (August 3, 1926 – July 13, 1983) was an American politician and farmer from South Dakota. Born in Avon, he briefly served in the United States Air Force for one year after graduating high school. Van Gerpen served on the Avon Independent School Board from 1965 to 1975, and was its chairman from 1970 to 1975. He was also a member of the Bon Homme County School Board from 1965 to 1968. Van Gerpen was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1980 as a member of the Republican Party, narrowly defeating incumbent Ralph Nachtigal by 13 votes. Van Gerpen was re-elected in 1982, although he died on July 13, 1983, before his term ended. His wife, Louise Van Gerpen, was appointed as his successor by Governor Bill Janklow in October 1983.
Life and career
[edit]Roland W. Van Gerpen[1] was born on August 3, 1926, in Avon, South Dakota,[2]: 1132 to W. R. and Johanna Van Gerpen.[3] His grandfather, Herman W. Van Gerpen,[4] served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1922 to 1924. Two of Roland's cousins, Edward Van Gerpen and Harlan Van Gerpen, served in the South Dakota Legislature and Iowa Legislature, respectively.[2]: 1131 Roland graduated from Avon High School in 1944 and then began serving in the United States Air Force in 1945. After retiring the following year, he became a farmer.[2]: 1132 Roland married Louise Dykstra[5] on March 26, 1947, at the Avon Baptist Church;[6] together, they had three children: Bill, Danny, and Lorney.[2]: 1132
In 1965, Van Gerpen began serving on the Avon Independent School Board and the Bon Homme County School Board, retiring from the latter in 1968. He was selected as the chairman of the Avon Independent School Board in 1970 and served in the position and on the board until 1975.[2]: 1132 In September 1967, Van Gerpen was elected as an assistant instructor for Bible classes at the First Baptist Sunday School in Avon.[7] The following year, he was selected as a teacher.[8] He was last elected to the position in 1970.[9] He was a member of the South Dakota Republican Party Central Committee in 1977.[2]: 1132 He served as chairman of Bon Homme County from 1978 to 1980.[2]: 1132 In June 1980, Van Gerpen was appointed to the South Dakota–Nebraska Boundary Commission by Bill Janklow, the governor of South Dakota.[10]
By April 1980, Van Gerpen had filed to run as a candidate in that year's election to the South Dakota House of Representatives, seeking to represent the 16th district for the Republican Party.[11] In the Republican primary, held in June, Van Gerpen and Kenneth E. Kredit defeated Martin E. Drefs to become the Republican nominees.[12] Van Gerpen went on to win the general election, alongside Democrat Albert Kocer. Official canvass results showed Van Gerpen defeating incumbent Ralph Nachtigal by 13 votes.[13][14] Nachtigal successfully petitioned for a recount, but conceded the election after unofficial recount results widened the vote margin to 86.[15] Van Gerpen was inaugurated, alongside the rest of the 56th South Dakota Legislature, on January 6, 1981.[16][17] He was appointed to the local government committee.[18] In January 1981, Van Gerpen, alongside eight other Republican representatives, reversed their vote on a bill that would have held statewide elections for the South Dakota agricultural commissioner. Their reversal caused the bill to die in the House.[19] Van Gerpen was one of nine legislators to not sponsor any bills in the 1982 session of the legislature.[20] Van Gerpen announced his re-election campaign in April 1982 for the 14th district after redistricting was held.[21][22] He won the Republican primary and later the general election, both alongside Terry Miller.[23][24]
On July 13, 1983, while serving his second term in the House, Van Gerpen died at a hospital in Sioux Falls after suffering a heart attack the previous night. His funeral was held at the First Baptist Church in Avon on July 16.[25] On October 4, his wife Louise was appointed as his successor by Governor Janklow.[26]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roland Van Gerpen | 1,934 | 41.37% | |
| Republican | Kenneth E. Kredit | 1,812 | 38.76% | |
| Republican | Martin E. Drefs | 929 | 19.87% | |
| Total votes | 4,675 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Albert Kocer (incumbent) | 5,008 | 29.13% | |
| Republican | Roland Van Gerpen | 4,162 | 24.21% | |
| Democratic | Ralph Nachtigal (incumbent) | 4,149 | 24.13% | |
| Republican | Kenneth E. Kredit | 3,873 | 22.53% | |
| Total votes | 17,192 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Terry Miller | 2,644 | 45.25% | |
| Republican | Roland Van Gerpen | 2,325 | 39.79% | |
| Republican | Phil Trieb | 874 | 14.96% | |
| Total votes | 5,843 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roland Van Gerpen (incumbent) | 5,966 | 38.15% | |
| Republican | Terry Miller (incumbent) | 5,640 | 36.07% | |
| Democratic | Paul E. Zeeb | 4,032 | 25.78% | |
| Total votes | 15,638 | 100.00% | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "[Billy Van Gerpen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland W. Van Gerpen, Avon, ...]". Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota. March 1, 1971. p. 14. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g South Dakota Legislative Research Council, ed. (1989). Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature, 1889–1989. Vol. 2, L–Z. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ 100 Years of God with Us: Emmanuel Reformed Church, Springfield, South Dakota, 1888–1988. Pine Hill Press. 1988. p. 24. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ South Dakota Legislative Research Council, ed. (1989). Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature, 1889–1989: Errata. p. 12. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ "Avon Grads Hold Reunion". Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota. August 14, 1969. p. 8. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Louise Van Gerpen". Mitchell Daily Republic. November 16, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ "Elect Officers At Avon Adult Bible Classes". Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota. September 30, 1967. p. 6. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Avon Groups Elect Officers". Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota. September 24, 1968. p. 3. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Church Groups Elect at Avon". Mitchell Daily Republic. Mitchell, South Dakota. October 1, 1970. p. 12. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Janklow appoints 26 to state posts". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. Associated Press. June 10, 1980. p. 2. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Legislative candidates file". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Associated Press. April 3, 1980. p. 4D. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Kundert, Alice (ed.). Official Election Returns and Registration Figures for South Dakota—Primary Election: June 3, 1980 (PDF). p. 10. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Kundert, Alice (ed.). Official Election Returns and Registration Figures for South Dakota—General Election: November 4, 1980 (PDF). p. 13. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ Egner, David (November 19, 1980). "Recount sought after state canvass completed". Lead Daily Call. Lead, South Dakota. Associated Press. p. 1. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nachtigal, Carlson lose recounts". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. December 3, 1980. p. 4C. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Swenson, Rob (January 6, 1981). "56th S.D. Legislature convenes today". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1C. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "PUC supports Janklow plan to cut state debt to utilities". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. January 7, 1981. p. 1C. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Committee appointments". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. January 7, 1981. p. 9. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ag commissioner election measure dies in House". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. Associated Press. January 29, 1981. p. 12. Retrieved October 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Haraldson, Tena (February 3, 1982). "Gregerson, Volesky sponsor the most bills". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. Associated Press. p. 15. Retrieved October 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Van Gerpen announces candidacy". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. April 23, 1982. p. 4C. Retrieved October 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Redistricting forces candidates to think". Lead Daily Call. Lead, South Dakota. Associated Press. March 8, 1982. p. 2. Retrieved October 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Kundert, Alice (ed.). Official Election Returns and Registration Figures for South Dakota—Primary Election: June 1, 1982 (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Kundert, Alice (ed.). Official Election Returns and Registration Figures for South Dakota—General Election: November 2, 1982 (PDF). p. 18. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ "Roland VanGerpen, state legislator, dies". Lead Daily Call. Lead, South Dakota. Associated Press. July 14, 1983. p. 2. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Widow appointed to replace husband in state House". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. Associated Press. October 5, 1983. p. 20. Retrieved October 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
