John Wesley "Jack" Humke

April 19, 1929 - December 22, 2016

John Wesley "Jack" Humke, 87, passed away on Thurs., Dec. 22, 2016 at his home in Rapid City.

Jack was born on April 19, 1929 in Dubuque, Iowa to Wesley John and Gertrude Linn (Collings) Humke. He graduated from Dubuque High School in the Spring of 1947 and studied for two years at the University of Dubuque. He then attended the Aviation Cadet Training Program where he earned his wings as a radar navigator.

Jack then joined the U.S. Air Force in 1953, and was serving at RAF in Sculthrope, England, where he married Nancy Campbell on Sept. 1, 1955. He served our country in the Korean War and Vietnam War, and retired with the rank of Major from Ellsworth AFB on January 31, 1975, choosing to make Rapid City their permanent home.

He was a faithful member of First Congregational Church of Rapid City, where he was the choir director for 19 years, member of the bell choir and was still an active member of the choir; life member of Military Officers Association of America; 25 year member of Black Hills Chamber Music Society; life member of VFW Post 1273 of Rapid City; member of the Parkinson’s Group of Rapid City; and stayed physically active walking and swimming with the Senior Games out of the Minneluzahan Senior Center and Ellsworth AFB. Jack also did cardiac rehab three times a week since 1997.

Jack was always involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities and the art’s activities, but it became his passion after the passing of his wife in 1996. Jack also recently planned the annual B45 Bomber Reunion which was just held in Rapid City this October.

Jack is survived by his children and grandchildren, Wesley F. Humke of Rapid City; Virginia L. Humke of Rapid City (Nicholas Purcell and Davis Purcell); Kevin C. (Jacqueline) Humke of Sioux Falls (Emily (Noah) Smith, Pierce Humke, Elise (Dustin) LeBrun, Kieren Humke, Caleb Humke, and Luke Humke); and John A. Humke of Rapid City (Alec Humke); two great grandchildren, Lily Smith and Raymond Jack LeBrun; his brother-in-law, Ted Pape of Glendale, California; and by his loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brother, Thomas William Humke; and three sisters, Mary Elizabeth Fosbrink, Helen Eunice MacAskill, and Marjorie Ann Pape.