Officials are still investigating a plane crash that occurred early Monday morning about fifty miles east of Pierre. The crash took the lives of four South Dakotans. Those left behind are remembering those who died.
Funeral Homes confirmed the death of Donald Fischer, of Gettysburg, Brent Beitelspacher, of Bowdle and Logan Rau, of Java. Sullivan Supply confirmed the death of the fourth person, Nick Reimann, of Ree Heights. Officials with the FAA say the single-engine piper plane was heading to South Dakota from a Cattle Sale in Texas, when the plane crashed into a wind farm, killing all four on board.
The plane was registered to Donald Fischer. Fischer played football at South Dakota State from 2002 to 2005. SDSU Head Football Coach John Stiegelmeier says the team called him DJ. He says Fischer was a special piece to the Jackrabbit puzzle.
"He’s just a special guy and when I say that, go any direction you want, whether it was his effort, his loyalty to his teammates and coaches. His work ethic was unbelievable, without hesitation. His friendship, to especially his class, was something that we all hope to have in our lives," Stiegelmeier says.
Coach Stiegelmeier says Fischer was a role model for coaches and players.
"You know, we use the term picture, be a picture. A picture is worth a thousand words, DJ Fischer is a picture of a student athlete that guys want to grow up to be like," Stiegelmeier says.
The other three victims were South Dakota cattleman. Nick Reimann was a partner with Sullivan Supply. Sullivan Supply President John Sullivan says Reimann was a great person to be around and admire.
"I know he always had many many things going on, but he still had that personable touch, to kind of connect with people. He was one of the top, if not the top producers of show steers produced in the United States," Sullivan says.
Sullivan says Reimann's memory will live on through the lives of all who knew him.
