Charles Robert "Bob" Tong

Charles Robert "Bob" Tong, 83, of Miller, S.D., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 with his family at his side at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

He was born July 7, 1941 in Sinking Spring, Ohio, to the late Ira Robert and Mary Ellen (Jordan) Tong.  

Bob graduated not only with his high school diploma but also a machinist degree from Latham High School in Latham in 1959. After graduating high school, Bob joined his father logging the hills of Ohio, which then led to the start of his truck driving career driving with his Uncle Bill. Construction work on the Big Bend Dam near Fort Thompson brought Bob to South Dakota in 1961. Bob always joked that he arrived in South Dakota with $32 in his pocket and if he could ever gather $32 again, he would head back home to Ohio.

Bob married Diana Huisman in Miller, S.D. on June 1, 1963. Two sons, Robert (Rob) and Jeffrey, were born into this union. 

After becoming injured while working on the Big Bend Dam, he joined the workforce at Ree Implement in Ree Heights as a May Tag repair man. Bob and Diana started their farming career on a small scale with a few milk cows. Bob's trucking career took off from here helping supplement the farm income. 
Within this era, Bob, his father-in-law, Dean Huisman, Arnold Johnson and Edwin Christopherson built their farmer-inspired dragster. Powered with the motor from Bob's 1958 Chevy, the team built the dragster using old combine arts and any scrap iron and treasures that were to be found. Bob's deep desire for speed and love of racing dirt tracks brought him to the Miller Speedway serving as the local tracks lineup man. His presence on and around the track led to the opportunity to drive a race car for the Muth Family, for which he was always grateful. Bob always joked that after winning High Point Car on three tracks they still managed to lose $3,000 one season. Racing the No. 20 car officially ended at the 1974 South Dakota State Fair when the race car went up in flames in the pits during a driver meeting. 

Bob and Diana's passion with horses evolved into production sales and partaking in area Play Days. The dedicated involvement with the Rough Riders Club transitioned into competing and showing family raised Appaloosa's, Paint and Quarter Horses. 

Bob's gift for visiting and telling stories brought him significant popularity announcing everything from horse pulls to sheepdog trials with one snow queen contest in the midst. Bob’s love for coon hunting in Ohio blossomed into his following of pheasant hunters that traveled across the country every fall to enjoy a lot of Bob's stories and a bit of South Dakota pheasant hunting.

Bob was truly blessed to have followed his passions of scuba diving, trucking, racing and raising both cattle and horses all while farming and ranching with his family right up to his very last days.

Bob is survived by his wife, Diana, of 61 years; his son, Jeff (Michelle) Tong, all of Miller, S.D.; and all of the rest of you.

He was preceded in death by his son, Rob; his parents, Bob and Mary Ellen Tong; a brother, Steve; and his two sisters, Barbara (Susie) Hammond and Malita Tong.

A celebration of Bob's life will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the First Presbyterian Church in Miller, S.D., with Pastors Robert Brooks and Glenn Stewart officiating. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miller, S.D. A visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16 followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.

The family requests memorials be directed to Hands of Hope, Hand County Ambulance, or a charity of your choice.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Bob's arrangements.  

For more information, visit https://www.luceluzereck.com/