Wyman Babby

Wyman Dennis Babby was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota on May 3, 1935, the first of Dennis and Alvina Babby's four children. He passed away from cancer in Billings, Montana on April 4, 2016, at the age of 80. An enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Wyman grew up on the Pine Ridge, Fort Peck, Umatilla, and Fort Hall Reservations. He was an accomplished high school athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track. In 1953, Wyman graduated from Blackfoot High School, married his first wife, Karen Gardiner, and joined the Air Force. He served in Japan during the Korean War, receiving 4 medals for his service. He and Karen had one daughter, Beth Ann. Wyman later attended the South Dakota School of Mines, the University of Wyoming, and Eastern Montana College. He met Donna Ulrich in Billings and they married in July 1961. The couple moved to the Colville Reservation in Oregon, where he began his civilian career in Indian affairs. He and Donna had three girls, Elaine, Angela and Lorna. His career advanced and the family moved frequently, from coast to coast and to numerous places in between. In 2011, Wyman and Donna celebrated their 50th anniversary in Fallon, Montana with family and friends. Wyman was deeply committed to his work – a strong advocate of both tribal self-determination and the fulfillment of the federal government's treaty and statutory obligations to tribes – and his career in Indian affairs spanned over 35 years. He was also dedicated to the support and professional development of the many promising young Native men and women he encountered throughout his career. The qualities that exemplified Wyman were respect and compassion for others, integrity, hard work, discipline, and humility. Wyman was proud of his origins, and spent many hours researching and documenting family history. He was a gifted writer, and his favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, reading, and being with family. Most of all he loved the beauty and solitude of the wide open prairies of Montana and South Dakota. Wyman's legacy will live on in Indian Country and with his family. Wyman is preceded in death by his much loved parents, Dennis and Alvina. He is survived by his wife Donna; children Beth Ann Gary (Scott), Elaine Babby (Blair), Angela Babby (Jon), and Lorna Babby (Marvin); siblings Lloyd Babby (Pat), Lavonne Hoselton, and Joyce Peterson (Bruce); five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. A special thank you to Dr. David Christianson, Miletta and the rest of the staff at St. Vincent Frontier Cancer Center. A memorial service will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Friday at 10:00 am . Other services will be held in Martin, SD at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Red Cloud Indian School.