Celebrating Norm McKie – A Dear Friend and Inspiring Ambassador to South Dakota and all of the Black Hills

Celebrating Norm McKie – A Dear Friend and Inspiring Ambassador to South Dakota and all of Black Hills

I first met Norm McKie around 2001, introduced through the vibrant network of Rapid City’s local legends—folks like Bob Knecht, Bruce Lien (who was like a stepdad to me), and Mike Derby. Norm reached out with an invitation to visit his Johnson Siding project, a magical place where he was transforming a creekside cabin into a fairytale-like wonderland called Eagle Cliff.

Even in its early stages, the vision was breathtaking. Norm walked me through his dream, sharing plans for a stunning house rebuild and whimsical outdoor features, including a 200-foot waterfall he could turn on and off—a true spectacle. His passion for creating something extraordinary was infectious, and every conversation sparked inspiration, blending his life stories with artistic ideas for his dreamscape.

Over time, Norm and I grew close, bonded by our shared walks and talks. His storytelling was vivid, his ideas synergistic, and his positivity boundless. He welcomed me to family gatherings at Johnson Siding, moments I cherish deeply and miss dearly.

Though life pulled us in different directions—Norm enjoying retirement and travel, me relocating to the Rubicon—we stayed connected by his uplifting spirit. I regret not making more time to nurture our friendship, but knowing Norm is still out there gives me hope we can reconnect.

Norm selected me to etch his lasting legacy into the stones on the land he loved.

I truly felt blessed not to just meet Norm at this time in our lives but having an opportunity to be an actual part of it. We both knew at the time what every we did it was going to last longer than us.

Whether the rock picked the verse or Norm chose the rock we will never know.

However, we both thought this was perfect for this rock! A lasting memory for all humanity!

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why, then, oh, why can’t I?

  The Wizard of Oz (1939)

       Over The Rainbow

I followed Norm’s lead, but he often gave me artistic license to accomplish is vision however possible. So, I spent days designing, cutting and sandblasting away.

Sometimes we’d just stop by one of his favorite stones and visit and share stories and either him or I would come up with an idea and with in a few days, he’d say. Fantastic! And we’d take another walk.

I rember this day where we both sat down on this very large rock and Norm said this was his favorite place to come and think. You could see the waterfall from Eagle Cliff and he said he liked to think of where he has been and where he’s going in life. I said, then this needs a great big huge rose compass etched into it with maybe a whole in the center to stick a stick into it to mark time of the direction you plan on going. He loved it!

Norm’s legacy as an ambassador for South Dakota and the Black Hills shines through his tireless dedication to conservation and community. His work to preserve Rapid Creek, including a quarter-mile restoration to improve fish habitat, reflects his commitment to protecting the area’s natural beauty. As a major donor and lead for the West River Game Fish and Parks Outdoor Campus aquarium, Norm championed environmental causes with heart. His generosity extends to countless organizations—Trinity Lutheran Church, Rapid City YMCA, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and more. In 2014, Norm and Eunabel McKie gifted the Dignity Statue to South Dakota, a powerful tribute unveiled in 2016 to mark the state’s 125th anniversary.

I never had anything to do with this creation, however it shows Norm’s love, compassion and true South Dakota spirit for all humanity to see. It’s absolutely incredible! (Me visiting Dignity 2020)

A fifth-generation South Dakotan, Norm’s roots run deep, with his great-grandparents arriving in Gary, South Dakota, in 1898. He and Eunabel raised three children—Mark, Faye, and Tammy—and are proud grandparents to seven. Norm’s life is a testament to sharing success, preserving beauty, and uplifting those around him. Here’s to Norm McKie—a dear friend, a visionary, and a true South Dakota treasure. I look forward to the day we can catch up and walk through his fairytale world once more.

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