Stanford Mark Adelstein died Monday, nine days shy of his 95th birthday. Adelstein represented Rapid City’s District 32 in the South Dakota Legislature—two terms in the House, 2001–2004; three terms in the Senate, 2005–2006 and 2009–2013. Adelstein also served in the army, worked as an engineer and estimator, and was CEO of Northwestern Engineering Company for decades, but according to his obituary, Adelstein “often said representing the people of District 32 was the best job he ever had.”
Adelstein dedicated his life to serving his community:
Stan is well known for his charitable giving and leadership in civic and public service organizations including: The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, St. John’s McNamara Hospital, the Journey Museum, the Dahl Fine Arts Center, the Black Hills Symphony, the Black Hills Playhouse, Lutheran Social Services, the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City, the Club for Boys, and South Dakota Public Broadcasting among many other organizations. Stan continually asked the question, “how can I help?” He committed his time, money and expertise to friends and strangers alike, changing many lives for the better [obituary of Stanford Mark Adelstein, Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, retrieved 2026.08.13].
Adelstein was one of fewer than 800 Jews in South Dakota (the smallest population in any American state). Adelstein nonetheless very visibly promoted Judaism and Israel:
He was a national leader for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, American Jewish Committee, Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, and the Republican Jewish Coalition. He was often called upon to represent the Jewish community at public events, such as helping to establish the Hanukkah menorah at the State Capitol in Pierre. He spearheaded the move of The Synagogue of the Hills from Ellsworth Air Force Base to Rapid City where it found a permanent home in a building he donated [obituary, retrieved 2026.08.13].
In his political life, Adelstein registered and ran Republican, but Adelstein publicly endorsed multiple Democratic candidates for Governor and supported Libertarian Gary Johnson for President in 2016 over fascist Donald Trump. Adelstein also fearlessly challenged his party when Republican corruption threatened the public good. He opposed neighbor GOP wingnut legislator Phil Jensen, yet he put money behind equally wingnutty bull elephant legislator Stace Nelson.
In that cross-partisan spirit, Adelstein also provided financial support to this blog for many years. I am forever grateful for not only that cash but for a great public servant’s vote of confidence in the usefulness of my reporting and commentary to the state he loved.
Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home says Stanford Mark Adelstein’s funeral will take place Tuesday, August 18, at 1 p.m. at The Monument Fine Arts Theatre, 444 North Mt. Rushmore Road, Rapid City. The family says don’t send flowers; honor Stan by sending money to The Synagogue of the Hills, The Journey Museum, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and/or the The Club for Boys.