The SDABA Commission lost one of our own on Friday. Vice President Bob Altenburg passed away early Friday morning.

A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at 2 PM, Thursday, February 12, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wagner. Inurnment will be in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Armour at a later date. Visitation with family will be at the church on Thursday from 12:30 to 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, PO Box 80, Lake Norden, SD 57248.

Robert Charles “Bob” Altenburg, age 78, of Pickstown, SD, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at the Avera Hospice House in Yankton, SD.

Robert was born to Charles and June Altenburg and lived a life defined by service, leadership, and an enduring love for family and baseball. Known to most as Bob, he was a steady and dependable presence—reliable, dedicated, and always willing to step forward when others needed him.

A lifelong lover of the game, Bob devoted much of his life to baseball. The most enjoyment Bob had in baseball besides playing, was coaching the Teener Teams in Lyman and Gregory in the 1980’s and 1990’s.  He loved those players and appreciated all the community support. Bob also served South Dakota Amateur Baseball for many years as District Commissioner and later as Vice President during a 30-year span. One of Bob’s greatest honors was also his induction into the SD Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame alongside his lifelong friend Herb Sundall in 2009.  Bob was honored as Amateur Baseball Man of the Year in 2018.  Bob’s starting and maintaining of “Friends of Amateur Baseball” has raised over $110,000 during its 13-year existence. Those efforts greatly helped South Dakota Amateur Baseball in their past and future endeavors.   He gave countless hours to players, teams, and communities across the state. His impact reached far beyond the field, shaping young athletes through mentorship, sportsmanship, and fairness.

Bob was deeply committed to the communities he called home, including Armour, Reliance, Pierre, Presho, Gregory, Winner, and Pickstown, South Dakota. Throughout his life, he served in numerous civic and volunteer roles, including Baseball Coach, City Board Chair in Pickstown, Commercial Club member, Jaycees member, Lions Club member, Volunteer Firefighter, EMT, and Church Elder and Elder Chair at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gregory. In recognition of his service, Bob was also named South Dakota EMT of the Year in 1984.

In addition to his volunteer service, Bob proudly served as Chief of Police in Presho. Later, he worked as a District Representative for Thrivent Financial, where he found great fulfillment partnering with Kevin Meiners of Winner. His professional roles reflected his strong sense of responsibility and lifelong commitment to helping others.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Pam Altenburg; his brother, Jerry with wife Cheri Altenburg; nephews Jim and Chris; his children, Tanya, Dan, and Ryan; and his stepchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, and Jackie.

He was a proud grandfather to: Charles, Jack, Calvin, and Evie June Altenburg; Devin and Maura Javers; Tanner, Carley, and Maverick Miller; Aiyanna and Brooke Reddest; Kaitlyn and Danica Valentine; and Collin, Cameron, Caleb, Cohen, and Cambria Zahrbock. Each of whom brought him immense joy and pride.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and June Altenburg; his son, Chad Miller; his ex-wife Joanne Altenburg, and his in-laws Larry and Barb Wuestewald.

Bob will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to family, his deep love of baseball, and the countless lives he touched through service, leadership, and quiet generosity. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

President Dale Weber has called the Annual Meeting of the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association for Sunday, February 15, 2026 at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell, SD. The Center is located off the east Mitchell I—90 exit between the Hampton Inn and the Comfort Inn & Suites.

12:00 NOON MEAL - At the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell is FREE to all league officers, team managers, umpires, fans, sportswriters and radio and TV sportscasters.

ANNUAL MEETING - following the noon meal:

• Review of the 93rd year's activities
• Financial reports
• Election of officers
• New business

LEAGUE PRESIDENTS — Your presence is of utmost importance not only to the Association, but to the managers and teams you have been elected to represent. Please make every effort to be present on February 15. You will be paid per diem and mileage. A proxy form is enclosed should you find it absolutely impossible to attend. This completed and signed proxy form must be given or mailed to either your District Commissioner or Chris Braley, Secretary-Treasurer, PO Box 803, Parkston SD 57366 in time for them to have it at the meeting. Please contact Chris Braley at 605-505-1960 with any questions or concerns.

ATTENTION EVERYONE - DOOR PRIZES — In order to encourage attendance, the SDABA will have a drawing for everyone registering at the annual meeting. The door prizes, sponsored by the SDABA. You must be present to win, so please attend and register at the door.

COMMISSIONERS - Officers and commissioners will meet Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m., February 14, 2026 at the Comfort Inn & Suites, Mitchell SD.