Fredrick G. "Fritz" Kroetch, age 74 of Philip, South Dakota, died Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Fredrick G. “Fritz” Kroetch was born on March 24, 1937, on his parents’ homestead in the Hilland area, north of Philip, the son of Fredrick M. and Lydia Pearl (Boyce) Kroetch. He grew up on the homestead and attended Elbon Rural School and later Philip High School. As a young man he worked with his parents on the homestead.

James R. Pearson, 87 of Spearfish died Monday, January 16, 2012, at the Belle Fourche Healthcare.
James was born March 16, 1924, in Philip, S.D., to Axel and Lenne (Miles) Pearson. He was raised in Philip and after the eighth grade he started working on the family ranch.
James married Lola Miller on March 9, 1965, in Rapid City. He worked various jobs throughout his life including construction, railroad and at the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs, he retired from the State Veterans Home after 13 years of service. James and Lola made their home in Spearfish since 1995.

Robert H. “Bob” Heckert, age 76 of Philip, S.D., died Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at his home in Philip.
Robert Harry Heckert was born May 25, 1935, in VanTassel, Wyo., the son of Harry and Grace (Messropian) Heckert. Later the family moved to Scottsbluff, Neb., where Bob attended school.
After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force in 1955. He was honorably discharged in 1958. He moved to Englewood, Colo., and did various jobs before working for the city of Englewood.

Billie Hancock, age 90, of Philip, S.D., died Friday, January 27, 2012, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Beulah B. “Billie” Rockwell was born January 31, 1921, in Grand Junction, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest and Anna (Jackson) Rockwell. She grew up in the Bayard area where she graduated from Bayard Consolidated School in 1938.
Following graduation she came to Martin to help her sister on a ranch. There she met Dale Hancock.

“What bullies don’t like is ... themselves. They want to see what kind of angry bird you really are. Just be a red bird. If you do nothing, they will usually leave you alone. If not, go see the big kids, the teachers,” said Ron Anglin.
Anglin gave such advice and involved the Philip elementary students, all while he clowned around and juggled. He handled everything from yo-yos, soap bubbles, plates, clubs, bean bags to balls. He is a motivational speaker who performed during a Philip elementary assembly in the Philip gymnasium, Wednesday, January 25.