Funeral services for 88-year old Harlan Tyndall of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Alliance and Chadron, NE, are Friday, Feb 16, 2024 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron, NE.
Graveside services will follow at the Alliance Cemetery in Alliance, NE. The family encourages everyone to please dress casually for both services..
The family also requests memorials be given to the donor’s choice of charity In-lieu of flowers…
Harlan J Tyndall was born in Rosebud, SD on Feb. 15, 1935 to Jack and Dorothy Tyndall. He passed away peacefully on Feb. 8th, 2024 surrounded by his loved ones in Rapid City.
At birth,Harlan joined his two older sisters Vurene and Vera in the home and later became the proud older brother to Jeanie. At the age of 7, he moved with his family to Alliance, a place he would call home for nearly 50 years.
Harlan graduated from Alliance High School in the spring of 1953 and shortly after graduation married the love of his life Betty Barrett. They exchanged vows on April 10, 1955 and were happily married nearly 69 years before his death. To their union were added 3 children: Jim, Bobi Jo and Debi.
Harlan was a driven, passionate, and hard-working man who was an entrepreneur at heart and enjoyed seeking out new opportunities. Along the way Harlan worked for Safeway from 1953-55, alongside his dad at Jack Tyndall Plumbing from 1955-57, and the BIA from 1957-61 when he worked on the missile sites in Kimball, NE.
Harlan was a member of the Plumber’s Union Union and in 1964 proudly became the first businessman to own a backhoe in Alliance, which opened up many new opportunities. Ultimately led him to buyi his parent’s plumbing business, which then became “Tyndall Plumbing and Heating”
Harlan and Betty closed the plumbing shop in 1982, only to embark upon a new adventure by turning the building into The Outpost, a convenience store. (If you ask Harlan’s 4 grandkids, it wasn’t so much a convenience store as their personal candy, pop, and trading card shop to which Grandpa could never tell them “No”).
Harlan and Betty owned and operated the store until 1991, when they sold it and retired, moving to their own personal oasis “Lenders Lodge” just outside of Chadron State Park.
Harlan was civic-minded and believed in giving back to the community, serving on various boards and committees over the years, including: the school Advisory Board, City Code Committee, President of Rotary Club, and President of the local JCs. He even ran for County Commissioner along the way.
Harlan had an adventurous side and decided he would like to try flying an airplane and enrolled.in pilot ground school, but with his business kicking into high gear, he was unable to complete the course.
Harlan also enjoyed golfing, their home away from home in Chadron State Park, and especially hunting with his son and friends for many years. Harlan and Betty enjoyed remodeling homes and bought, remodeled, and sold 29 homes over the course of 50 years – living in 5 of those at some time or another.
Harlan is survived by his wife Betty; son Jim of Rapid City, SD; daughters Bobi Jo (Dennis) Bailey of Alliance, NE and Debi (Bob) Allen (Bob) of Piedmont, SD. grandchildren and great-grandchildren Jeff Burback (Addalai and Brogan) of Sioux City, IA, Brian and Brittany Burback (Reagan and Rowan) of Buckeye, AZ, Dodi and Derek Megli (Reese and Rhett) of Alliance, NE and Holly and Antonio Vargas (Louie and Conrad) of Denver, CO; sister Jeanie Gaspers, several special nieces and nephews, and special friend Bob Hardy. And not to be forgotten are 3 grand-fur-babies: Bubba, Molly and Jax.
Harlan was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Dorothy Tyndall; sisters Vurene Garcee and Vera (Larry) Carter; father-and mother-in-law Louie and Mildred Barrett, and sister-in-law Sally (Wayne) Walker.