Craig Tieszen

LIFETIME DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE

1949–2017 • CATEGORY

GENERAL • HOMETOWN

RAPID CITY, SD • NOMINATED BY

DEBRA TIESZEN Craig John Tieszen was born October 24, 1949, the son of John and Catherine Tieszen. The oldest of three kids, brother Reed and sister Jan, he grew up on the family farm in Canistota, SD. He went to country school for the first 6 years before finishing his early education in town school.

His character was defined by his rural roots and family, with honesty, kindness, courage, compassion, and unparalleled integrity and civility.

He went on to graduate with Honors from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a degree in chemical engineering. While in college, he began what became a life-long commitment with the Rapid City Club for Boys, a non-profit aimed at providing support and guidance for at-risk youth. With the lure of adventure and opportunity to serve his country, in the summer of 1971, Craig enlisted in the Peace Corps and moved to Kenya. He worked as a high school teacher in science and math and applied his engineering background on school breaks to help build and repair water systems for rural villages. This two-year commitment turned into four and started a lifetime passion for community engagement and service leadership.

After the Peace Corps, he joined the Rapid City Police Department as a patrolman. He loved being immersed in the community, and this on-the-ground experience inspired him to revive the Adopt-a-Cop program, a local partnership between elementary schools and the police department. After rotating through nearly every division in the department, Craig was appointed as Chief of Police in 2000.

He was proud of the work he did to advance the formal education of young officers and strengthened relationships between the police department and the Native American community. He was a graduate of the FBI academy and led by example to hold public agencies to high standards in public service. In 2012 he was recognized for his work with an honorary doctorate from the SD School of Mines and Technology.

Following a 32 year career in law enforcement, Craig was elected to the South Dakota State Senate representing District 34. His political compass was driven by a desire to improve the lives of all South Dakotans. In Pierre, he was known for his intellectual curiosity and civil, measured response. He was a great listener fiercely committed to the legislative process. He sponsored progressive legislation for adult and juvenile criminal justice reform, working to expand the definition of domestic abuse to allow more victims to access assistance programs and developed rehabilitation programs for offenders. He also served on a Blue Ribbon Task Force to advance education across the state.

Craig loved to stay active and enjoy the beautiful Black Hills. He initiated the Mickelson Trail Bike Ride with the Rapid City Club for Boys, where he led groups of boys on a 3-day, 109 mile bike ride to encourage them to experience and appreciate nature. During the winter months, he worked as an official for youth, YMCA, high school girls, and boys basketball. Craig was not only a cornerstone in the community but was a dedicated family man who was the cornerstone of his family. He married his wife Debra in 1980 and was deeply proud of his two daughters, Leslie and Laura, and their families, who shared his enthusiasm for exploring the world and service to others. A lifelong learner, Craig saw traveling as a way to connect and understand the diversity of the world and loved sharing his global experiences once he got back home.

The influence of Craig’s life can still be felt on the streets of Rapid City, across South Dakota, and around the world.