07/26/2026
PLEASE JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL OCCASION
The Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the Rapid Valley Fire Protection District will be doing a memorial dedication in front of our fire station on Sunday Afternoon August 2, 2026, from 4:00PM - 5:00 PM. On this day we will be honoring one of our charter members who help start the Rapid Valley Fire Department in 1966 with the unveiling of this new memorial that will be a permanent fixture in front of our fire station. Don " Kobie" Kobes was not only a charter member of this fire department, but he also served as its Fire Chief from 1972 to 1992 and remained as the Fire Marshall for the department up until his death on August 7, 2016. After his work retirement he spent some time working for the South Dakota Wildland Fire's aviation division SEAT program, filling SEAT planes and slurry planes for wildland fires throughout the region.
The Rapid Valley Fire Department and the Rapid Valley Fire District have been working on the idea for a memorial since his passing. A committee was formed about three years ago to help come up with a meaningful way to honor his service to the Rapid Valley community and over the last few years we have been working with fire department members, a local sculpture and the Kobes family to put together a plan for a memorial. After several meetings and input from the members of the fire department and the Kobes family, we proceeded in having a sculpture made by local South Dakota sculpture, James Van Nuy. Many of you have seen James's work displayed on the corners of Rapid City's downtown. We also had the help of Erin and Kristy Wood of Wood Builders, Jay Mendal of Mendal Masonry, Steve Orth and the crew with Kilowatt Electric and Hebron Brick in helping us get this across the finish line.
Don was not only a beloved member of the Rapid Valley Fire Volunteer Department, but he was also known throughout the entire Black Hills. Having been involved in many capacities over the years to help many within the fire department community in West River South Dakota.
Rapid Valley Fire Department Chaplin, Brent Woodard as official speaker leading up to the unveiling for the Kobes family and the Rapid Valley Community. On behalf of the Rapid Valley Fire Department and the Rapid Valley Fire Protection, please consider joining us for this special occasion. We would love to see the Black Hills fire community there. Your yellow (wildland fire) attire is encouraged.
