Harold H. Brost

Harold H. Brost, 92, went to meet his Maker forever and forever on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 on Sunday January 19, at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, January 20, at St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fouche.

Burial will be held 9:00 am on Tuesday, January 21, at Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche with military honors.

The family requests memorials to the Compassion Cupboard in Belle Fourche.

Harold Herbert Brost was born on July 9, 1927, on a farm in North Dakota, the 4^th child of Otto and Pauline (Eckhardt) Brost. The Brost family moved to Butte County, South Dakota, when Harold was 4 years old, and he claimed Butte County as his home of record since that time. Harold attended one-room rural schools in Butte County, grades 1 through 8. After graduation from the 8^th grade when he was 12 years old, Harold worked with his father on a sugar beet farm on the Arpan Flats north of Nisland.

Harold enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January, 1943, and served for thirty-four years, retiring in 1977. He served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and (in his words) “all of the small scrapes in between”. During his long Naval career, Harold served on nine Naval ships (including the USS Enterprise), a Naval Aircraft Squadron, and five Naval Shore Billets. He received numerous commendations and medals, including three purple hearts, and was named Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy in 1964.

Although he never attended high school, Harold embarked on a second career as a high school teacher after his retirement from the Navy. He enrolled in Black Hills State College as a non-traditional student and earned a B.S. degree in Education in 3 years, graduating Summa Cum Laude.  He then accepted a position at Sturgis Brown High School, where he taught for seventeen years. During his tenure at Sturgis, Harold again enrolled in Black Hills State College as a non-traditional student, attending night school and summer school, and earned a M.S. degree in Secondary Education in 2 years.  After his seventeen years at Sturgis, Harold accepted a position teaching High School at the Texas State Prison for Men in Huntsville, Texas, where he taught for seven years until his final retirement.

After his retirement, Harold moved back to Belle Fourche. During his retirement years, Harold was awarded an Honorary Diploma from the Belle Fourche High School. Harold was very active in many veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion and VFW, serving in many offices over the years. His last, and most cherished, office was as the National Chaplain and Member of the Board of Directors to the All Three Wars Veterans of America, of which he was a founding member. Harold was honored to be named Veteran of the Year in 2008 by the Student Council of the Belle Fourche High School.

Harold was an inveterate volunteer, serving at the Belle Fourche Senior Citizens Center and the Belle Fourche Federal Credit Union, and also as a member of the Butte County Historical Society, the Tri State Museum, the Belle Fourche Compassion Cupboard, and the Belle Fouche Veterans’ Honor Guard.

Harold is survived by his son, Douglas (Judi) Brost of Belle Fourche; daughters, Carolyn (Bruce) Norquist of Aurora CO, Shirley Brost of Spearfish; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Yvonne (Bernie) Spencer of Prineville, OR and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death include his parents; son, Richard; daughter, Janet; grandson, Chad; 2 brothers, Irvin and Darrell; and 7 sisters, Viola, Ida, Edna, Irene, Betty, Donna, and Dolores; and very special friend, Alta Maclanahan.

Harold’s final request is that he be remembered as a Patriot who served his country to the best of his ability when called upon, not as a hero.

Celebration of Life Service

1:00 P.M. – Monday – January 20, 2020

St. James Lutheran Church

Belle Fourche, South Dakota

Officiant

Pastor Jean Helmer

Music

“Amazing Grace”

Debra Leverington, soloist

Paula Speidel, pianist

“The Navy Hymn”, “Why Me Lord”

(Recordings)

Honorary Casketbearers

Derek Cooper               Jack Cooper             Ryan McNally

Active Casketbearers

Blaine Anderson                                               Mike Cerney

Alex Brost                                                        Mark Reese

Sam Brost                                                      Clark Sowers

Interment

9:00 A.M. – Tuesday – January 21, 2020

Pine Slope Cemetery

Belle Fourche, South Dakota

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