Creater and Benefactor
of the Sam F Weller Family Foundation
Richard Franklin Weller (Dick), who was born and raised in Mitchell SD, established a private foundation in October 2014 to honor the legacy of his father, Sam F Weller and his family. Sam was a well-known figure in the Mitchell area in the mid-1900’s and was heavily involved in civic activities and community improvement. Sam would be pleased to see the support and commitment to the Mitchell area continue in the name of the Sam F. Weller Family Foundation. As Dick would say, the foundation was the goose that laid the golden egg and would perpetually reward the community that helped the Weller family succeed.
Dick was born September 28, 1932, and graduated from Mitchell High School. He attended Stanford University and the University of Nebraska, where he joined the SAE fraternity. He earned his MBA at Wharton Business School in one year.
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In 1955, Dick married Beverly Beal and moved to Roswell, NM to fulfill his ROTC commitment. In 1957, they moved to Mitchell and joined The Weller Company with his father Sam F. Weller, to sell real estate and insurance. They had three children: Lucinda, Steven, and Jason. In 1969, his career pivoted, and he developed and managed the Mitchell Holiday Inn with a partner. He later developed the Spearfish Holiday Inn, as well as several other hospitality ventures. He moved to Rapid City SD and married Derrolynn McCardle in 1974.
After the death of Derrolynn in June 2022, Dick, his sharp mind still intact, returned to Mitchell, residing at Countryside Living until his death on September 5, 2022.