Theophilus Marcus Rizzi

Theophilus (Ted) Marcus Rizzi Born October 7, 1917 Died January 10, 2005 Ted was born in Lead, South Dakota. He was the third of five children. His parents, Peter and Teresa Rizzi, immigrated to the United States from the Val di Non area of Northern Italy. Ted graduated from Lead High School in May 1935. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in March 1952. Homestake Mining Company from April 1952 to December 1982 employed Ted full-time as a Geologist. Ted first began working for Homestake in 1934, at the age of 17, as a student laborer. In 1935, he began working as a surface laborer. In 1939, he worked as a Geological Assistant, participating in both surface and underground geologic activities. Ted worked as a Geological Assistant until November 1941, when he became an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps. In June 1948, he returned to work at Homestake Mining Company as a Geological Assistant. In September of that same year, Ted was re-activated to duty in the United States Air Force as a pilot for the Berlin Airlift. Ted returned once again to Homestake Mining Company in April 1952, upon his graduation from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Ted participated in various geological capacities, ranging from Mine Geologist to Exploration Geologist to various geologic management positions, until his formal retirement in 1982. He continued to work as a Consultant Geologist/Landman for Homestake Mining Company, both in domestic and foreign territories, until December 1991. Ted dreamed of becoming a pilot ever since he was a little boy. In 1941, his dream was realized when he became an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps. He received his flight training in Texas, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May 1942. Ted was a pilot for the United States Air force between May 1942 and August 1946. He participated in the Southeast Theatre of Operations during World War II. He was headquartered at Kahuka Air Force Based, Oahu, Hawaii. He flew photo-combat missions, as part of the 86th Combat Mapping Squadron, out of the Navy Base located on Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands. He participated in the first daylight air attack on the Japanese-held island of Truk. The furthest point West that the 86th Combat Mapping Squadron reached was the island of Guam. In September 1948, Ted was reactivated to duty in the United States Air Force as a Four-Engine Pilot for the Berlin Airlift, or Operations Vittles. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in March 1964. His rank at the time of discharge was Major. Ted married Maudie Marie Pitts on December 28, 1962, in Nashville, Tennessee. They moved to Salem, Missouri after they were married, and remained there for almost a year. They then moved to Denver, where their daughter, Teresa Nellie Marie Rizzi, was born on August 8, 1964. Ted and Marie were happily married for almost forty years, until Marie passed away on April 19, 2002. Ted enjoyed fishing and hunting in his youth, as well as flying B-25s, B-17s, B-24s, and B-29s. He loved the outdoors, which was why he so enjoyed being a geologist, especially when his geological duties required fieldwork. As Ted got older, he enjoyed gardening, rock collecting, and completing crossword puzzles and cryptograms on a daily basis. During the last six months of his life, he enjoyed spending time, and playing, with his grandson, Brice Eric Gillespie, born June 17, 2004. Ted is survived by his daughter, Teresa, his son-in '""law, Eric William Gillespie, his grandson, Brice, his older brother, Joseph, his older sister, Mary, his younger sister, Terry, and two nieces and nephews. He lived an honorable life, and he was dearly loved. He is now reunited with the love of his life, his wife, Marie, and with his mother, father, and younger brother, Leo.