CAP Remembers Search 30 Years Ago
Civil Air Patrol’s Lookout Mountain Composite, Spearfish, held an open house and memorial service commemorating for family members of one of the men who died in an aircraft accident 30 years ago.
Eugene Sperber and Bill Christel, from Green Bay Wisconsin, crashed into a stock pond about 100 miles Northeast of Spearfish on May 2, 1994. CAP search teams from South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana searched for 10 days before finally locating the wreckage in deep water with only part of the tail sticking out. Weather was a major factor in the accident. After the search, the family provided a Memorial Marker and flagpole to the Squadron as well as a generous donation to the CAP Cadet Program.
Family members returned to Spearfish to mark the anniversary. CAP members who had been part of the search 30 years ago were also present. After a short memorial service, Lookout Mountain Composite held its first outdoor Barbeque for 2024 and fed almost 40 attendees.
“South Dakota Civil Air Patrol is dedicated to our Search and Rescue mission as well as our commitment to the Cadet Program,” said Lt. Col. Buck DeWeese. “They both work hand in hand in order to serve the people of South Dakota and visitors alike.”
