SIOUX FALLS, SD— South Dakota is mourning the loss of Rep. Richard Vasgaard, who died on Wednesday, August 27, following a farming accident. He was 75.
The news was confirmed in a statement from House Speaker Jon Hansen, who described Vasgaard as a steady and humble leader whose contributions to both the Legislature and agriculture community will not be forgotten. “Richard brought humility, wisdom, and a steady voice to our House chamber,” Hansen said. “His service was marked by an unwavering dedication to the citizens he represented, and to the agriculture industry he and his family worked in.”
Tributes have since poured in from colleagues across the state. Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems, who served alongside Vasgaard in District 16, called his death “an irreplaceable loss” for their community. “The perspective and experience he brought to Pierre will be missed,” Lems said, adding that her thoughts are with his family and neighbors in Turner County.
House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach also praised Vasgaard’s character, noting his deep love for farming and South Dakota. “He was liked and respected by everybody,” Odenbach said.
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson remembered Vasgaard as both a friend and a dedicated public servant. “Richard Vasgaard was a friend, a dedicated public servant, and a great South Dakotan,” Johnson said.
Vasgaard is survived by his wife, Joyce, and their two children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
