John Prodan, 83, Rapid City, died Saturday, May10, 2008 in Rochester, Minnesota as a result of complications following surgery. John was born November 17, 1924 in East Orange, New Jersey, the first child of Vasille and Cleta Blanche Neville Prodan. He spent his childhood years in New Jersey and Indiana. On December 29, 1945, he married Ruth Jennie Larson of New Britain, Connecticut and was proud of their 62 1/2 years spent together. A career Air Force officer, John served his country for 31 years as an engineer, test pilot and "space school" instructor. Many Apollo astronauts were his students. His service also included a tour of duty in Vietnam. In addition to Master's Degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Instrumentation Engineering, he earned an M.B.A. at UCLA after his retirement from the Air Force. Beyond his Air Force retirement, he continued flying aircraft for a weather research program through the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and test piloting aircraft through Kohlman Systems Research in Lawrence, Kansas. He also taught classes through Embry-Riddle at Ellsworth and Minot Air Force Bases, continuing to mentor graduate students well into his seventies. John's hobbies included owning and driving Studebakers, a love for all kinds of aircraft, and a lifelong interest in model railroading. He was actively involved in the Dakotas Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club, and he enjoyed a long, close relationship with the Black Hills Gideon Camp, serving as treasurer until his death. He was also an active member of many other local organizations, including the Order of Daedalians (Eagle Wing) at Ellsworth Air Force Base and the Military Officers Association. John and Ruth have been members of Calvary Baptist Church of Rapid City for more than 25 years, where he served as a deacon and taught adult Sunday school for many years. He and his family have lived in Rapid City for 30 years. He loved the city and was always pleased to share its beauty and points of interest with his many out-ot-town relatives and friends. In 1999, he was instrumental in bringing the Annual International Studebaker Meet to Rapid City, and in 2003, he was a primary organizer of the Canberra (B-57) Association Annual Reunion also held here. John is survived by his wife Ruth, Rapid City; daughter Susan and husband Ben Bennett, Flint TX; sons Robert and wife Gillian Prodan, Mission Viejo, CA, John V. Prodan, Sunnyvale CA, and Donald Prodan and wife Tana Weeks, Laguna Nigel, CA; daughters Karen and husband Darrell Bleazard, Salt Lake City, UT and Nancy Ann and husband Michael Barnes, Spearfish, SD; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett, TX, David Prodan, CA, Steven Prodan, CA, Jacklyn Prodan, CO, Richard Prodan, CA, Kristen Bleazard, UT and Joseph Barnes, Spearfish; two sisters Victoria Swain, Ann Arbor, MI, and Silvia Lange, Nicasio, CA and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by three infant daughters, Ellen Marie, Nancy Ellen, and one who was stillborn prematurely, one infant granddaughter, Jacqueline Ruth Bennett, TX and his sister, Ellen Neville, IN.