Richard George Vasgaard was born March 18, 1950 to John and Patricia Vasgaard in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  He died following a farming accident on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at the age of 75 years.

He was baptized at West Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Lennox and graduated from Centerville High School in 1968.  He attended South Dakota State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy.  After college, Richard returned to the family farm and was proud to continue the family's tradition of farming in Turner County for over 125 years.

Richard married Joyce Nygaard on June 4, 1972 and lived on the family farm.  He spent the next 50 years devoted to his passion of farming.  Richard displayed a love of working with nature, a desire to provide for the community, a commitment to sustainability, and a connection to family heritage and tradition.  Throughout the years, he displayed a deep-seated desire to further the development of agriculture.  This was evident by his service on numerous boards and committees committed to these goals.

Richard had the privilege of representing the good people of District 17 in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2021 to 2022 and District 16 in 2025.  He was deeply committed to serving his district as well as all people across South Dakota.

Richard is survived by his wife Joyce and two children, Thomas of Centerville, SD and Lisa (John) Scott of Hayfield, MN; 6 grandchildren, Madelyn, Henry, Kathrine, Abraham, Skyler, and Montana; his mother, Patricia; brothers, Chuck (Joan), Jeff, and James (Pam); and sister, Barb (Joe) Kippes.  He is preceded in death by his father, John Vasgaard; and nephew, Dr. Joel Vasgaard.

Funeral services will be 10:30AM Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Scandia Lutheran Church, 251 Broadway St., Centerville. Visitation will be at the church 3-7PM Monday with a 7PM prayer service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Feeding South Dakota in memory of Richard Vasgaard.