George Leonard Minard, long-time resident of Philip and the pharmacist of the Philip Pharmacy for over a quarter of the 20th century, has died at the age of 93.

George Leonard Minard was born June 11, 1908 on a homestead near Midland. George was the third of four sons born to Dr. Ralph Minard and his wife, the former Alice Walker. George spent his childhood and youth in Midland, and graduated from Midland High School in 1926. From there, he continued his education at what is now South Dakota State University in Brookings, graduating in 1930 with both a B.S. in Pharmacy and a teaching certificate.

In the era of the Great Depression, a teacher was paid more than a pharmacist, so George secured employment in Redfield, teaching high school chemistry. It was during his years there that he met and courted a second-grade teacher named Vivian Hetland.

They were united in marriage on June 6, 1936 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

After their marriage they moved to the Minneapolis area where George worked for two major drug companies, Parke-Davis and Lederle. This is also where their two daughters, Janet and Julie were born.

In the spring of 1949, dissatisfied with being a traveling drug salesman and wanting to get established in the profession he was educated for, George quit his job with Lederle. That summer, on a vacation to Washington State, the family visited in the Midland and Philip area. George learned that Deane Hackett, the owner of the Philip Pharmacy, had decided to sell his store. George was definitely interested and the deal was made. So around Labor Day 1949, the four Minards began residence in Philip.

During the years he was at the helm of the Philip Pharmacy, Philip went from a two-drugstore to a one-drugstore town, so if you were a Haakon County resident and needed prescription filled or wanted to buy some over-the-counter medicine and were looking for advice about the taking of the medicine, you most certainly came to know George and rely on his help and instructions. He often remarked on how much he loved his work. He was an active member of the South Dakota Pharmaceutical Association, and looked forward to attending their annual conventions. He was proud of being chosen Honorary President of the Association on April 28, 1968. After he retired in 1975, he often pinched-hit for Milo Zeeb, the current pharmacist-owner of what is now called Zeeb Pharmacy.

During the years, George was very active in community affairs. He was a long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club. He was once a member of the Volunteer Fire Department and was on the Draft Board. He was Vice President of the Original Board of Directors of the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in 1956, one of many seeing to it that after Dr. Mangulis came to practice in Philip, the dream of a modern hospital would become a reality. Recently, he was one of the honorary co-chairmen (along with Harvey Madsen of Midland, a life-long friend) of the hospital’s Capital Campaign.

George and his family enjoyed traveling, and during his lifetime, he visited all fifty states. His favorite place was Alaska, which he visited twice; on a hunting trip with some buddies by private car in 1963, and a sightseeing bus tour with Vivian.

After he retired, he and Vivian continued to travel, visiting their daughter on the west coast, and touring Ireland and Japan. Until the last few years, they joined the many American snowbirds who winter in Arizona. No matter where he traveled, he always encountered people with whom he struck up a conversation. Often these folks would hail from South Dakota or he related to or friends of South Dakotans! Even when there was no obvious connection, he would find some common thread between them.

Once in the late 1940;s when the Minard family lived in Minneapolis, George took Vivian and the little girls on an Easter Sunday drive. They were driving around the area where former Minneapolis Laker great George Mikan lived, and were able to see the basketball star himself, standing outside his house. Janet recently asked Julie if she remembered George talking to Mr. Mikan. Julie replied, "I don’t really remember, but if there was any opportunity to engage George Mikan in conversation, I’m sure Dad grabbed it!"

When George was taken by helicopter to Rapid City just two days before he died, Julie was told by one of the medical people on the flight that George had been sitting up, chatting with them and pointing out the sights!

But over and above his work, community involvement, traveling, and socializing, George’s favorite interest was playing golf, a game he learned in college and continued playing until he was over 90 years old. Over the years he won tournaments and trophies. In his life, he had three holes-in-one, the third when he was 90. His passion for the game inspired his son-in-law, Bob to revise his own opinion that golf was a stupid game and to start learning how to play himself when he was well into his forties. George and Bob spent many hours in each other’s company, enjoying "the game." Bob and his pals were amazed that in his 80’s, George could hit the ball farther than they, who were in their 60’s!

Over the years, George’s daughters tried to persuade Vivian and him to move to California to be closer to them. He said, "Forget it! Too many people. I’m staying in God’s country!" He loved South Dakota, despite it being (as he said it) "the only state in the union where you can stand knee-deep in gumbo and still have dust blowing in your face!"

George was preceded in death by his parents, and his three brothers, Warren, Aldace, and Ralph.

George was survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, Vivian of Philip; his daughters, Julie and Janet and Janet’s husband, Robert Schnyder; and a grandson Erik, all whom live in California.

Funeral services for George Minard, age 93, of Philip were held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at the Presbyterian Church in Philip, with Pastor Don Lagge officiating.

Visitation was from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 27, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, South Dakota.

A memorial is established.

MUSIC
Marilyn Millage – Organist
Elvera Moos - Vocalist
"Amazing Grace"
Congregational Hymn
"I'll Fly Away"

USHERS
Tiana Fitch - Tylissa Fitch

PALLBEARERS
Bob Fugate - Norm Payne
Joe Gittings - Burjes Fitch
Tom Husband - Jerry Carley
Charles Ekstrum - Corky Thorson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Milo Zeeb - Jack Burns
Eddie Baye - Hans Hanson
Glenn Ferley - Harvey Madsen
Dr. George Mangulis - Howard Hawkins
Art Kroetch