Governor Mickelson Promoted Rails-to-Trails
by Duke Doering
Tragedy struck the state of South Dakota on April 19, 1993 when Governor George Mickelson, along with the pilots and a group of civic and busines leaders, were killed in a plane crash in Iowa.
Gov. George S. Mickelson, who followed his father’s career path from a rural law practice to the state’s highest office, died in a plane crash in Iowa.
He was 52. Governor Mickelson was one of eight people killed in the crash about 15 miles southwest of Dubuque as they were returning from a trip to Cincinnati to promote economic development in the state. A Republican, Mr. Mickelson was first elected in 1986 and won another four-year term in 1990. He also served six years in the South Dakota House, where he was Speaker in 1979-80.
When National Guard units are not under federal control, the governor is the commander-in-chief of the units of his or her respective state. Former Adjutant General, Major General Phil Killey, expressed his sentiment of Mickelson when he stated, “Everybody loved him, even the Democrats”.
Mickelson was a strong supporter of the rails-to-trails program which was in the process of converting the 109 miles railroad bed from Edgemont to Deadwood into a bike and recreational path. He urged the South Dakota National Guard to participate in completion of the trail, which they did, by completing 42 miles of gravel haul and final grading. The Engineer units also built three bridges and replaced decking and handrails on many more.
After Mickelson’s death, South Dakota National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dick Lee, who was one of the original organizers of the rails-to-trails foundation, requested the state re-name the project the Mickelson Trail. Officials agreed with Lee and the name Mickelson Trail was approved in 1993.
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