| | | |
| |
Presented to
Dennis "Doc" Casey
Pauline Casey, wife of the late Dennis "Doc"
Casey,
and family accept the 2004 Ben Black Elk Award
from Gov. Mike Rounds.
The Ben Black Elk Award is presented annually to an individual or group whose passion and enthusiasm has greatly influenced South Dakota’s visitor industry. This year’s recipient founded one of the most well-known attractions in the state, Bear Country USA.
Dennis "Doc" Casey was an innovator. His contribution to the visitor industry was an effort very different from the work he practiced for 30 years. Still, he had a passion to provide his local community with an opportunity to get up close and personal with nature. Since 1972, that opportunity has grown to entertain not only local guests but also visitors from across the country and around the world.
The Ben Black Elk Award is given to someone whose energy and enthusiasm benefits our state’s entire visitor industry. Together with his family, Doc Casey developed, marketed and continued to improve and advance an attraction that is on thousands of visitor itineraries each year. Visitors aren’t the only ones who sit up and take notice of this attraction. The film industry and even zoologists are served by this man’s dream.
Although Doc Casey left us in 2000, his family carries out his legacy. Recently, they offered land to expand Wind Cave National Park, something that is sure to benefit the visitor industry for years to come.
The winner of the 2004 Ben Black Elk Award is Dennis “Doc” Casey who, along with his wife Pauline, created Bear Country USA. Present at the conference to accept the award were seven members of the Casey family, including Doc’s wife, Pauline, and six of their children: Mike, Dennis, Shannon, Kevin, Brenden and Sean.
| |
| | | |
