Meeting new people and experiencing a new perspective is one of life’s pleasures, according to Bob Rademacher. He loves exploring the world in his red pickup truck.
Bob Rademacher is a lifelong South Dakotan who has been visiting Lawrence the past weeks. Bob has lived in the small city of Huron, SD, for over 40 years. He and Rotarian Kate Campbell met while both were serving on the Huron Chamber of Commerce board. They stayed in touch over the years and became good friends as Bob served as one of Kate’s business mentors.
Bob shared some of his observations as a newcomer to the Lawrence community. He appreciates the numerous walking trails in the city and finds remarkable the number of banks, churches and restaurants. Roundabouts are somewhat puzzling, and he wonders how people can get through a winter without a four-wheel drive pickup. Bob commented on the numerous Kansas University promotional stickers and signs that he sees and the great number of mask wearers. He has also become conscious of his South Dakota accent.
Huron has about 12,000 people and is largely Democratic, a rarity in South Dakota. The big industry in town is a turkey processing plant with a diverse work force. Bob was raised on a farm, taught high school math for a few years and worked for many years as the manager of Dakota Energy Rural Electric Cooperative. Bob was instrumental in merging several small RECs to gain efficiencies.
Bob has an interest in politics and commented on the ambitions of the present Governor of South Dakota who makes frequent appearances on Fox News. He thinks the de-population of rural America is not going to be reversed any time soon.
Bob is a coin collector, loves hunting, fishing and golf. He is a NASCAR fan and restores old automobiles. Bob reports that puzzles and old movies helped pass the time during the pandemic. It was a pleasure to meet Bob, learn about his South Dakota roots, and hear his impression of Lawrence.
