Douglas Dale Brink, Rapid City, SD, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at his home in Rapid Valley at the age of 66. He was born November 2, 1958, in Rapid City, to loving parents Betty Jean (Chapman) Brink and James Melvin Brink.

He was the oldest of four siblings including James Jr., Jenny and Michele. Being the oldest, he was extremely competitive at an early age. So, as you can imagine, there was never a dull moment. We grew up very close to where the hospital and 5th Street now exist but when we were kids, there were only woods, fields and hills. It was a place to hike, bike, sled and explore. This instilled Doug’s love of the great outdoors. He excelled in any sport or activity he tried. He loved the many years playing baseball and was proud to be on the Harney Little League Allstars. As an adult, he played softball, volleyball, golfed and played in the outdoors on many a 3 wheeler trip with friends, paddling in Jenny Gulch and canoed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

He graduated from Rapid City Central in 1977. Shortly afterwards, he was accepted into local union #698’s Plumbers and Pipefitters apprenticeship program, following in his dad’s footsteps and his own son followed a similar path focused on HVAC systems. Doug worked many years for various mechanical contractors last of which was Honeywell. When Doug married and started a family, he took an HVAC position with Pennington County Buildings and Grounds where he wouldn’t have to travel for work and he remained there for many years.

His kids, Cassie and Spencer, remember a great childhood spent with their dad bike riding, camping, fishing, canoeing, and neighborhood family get togethers. He could build, fix, and repair and his ex-wife once told a story about getting stuck in the hills in their pickup and little Cassie told her, “it’s ok, dad will get us out, he’s a plumber”. Doug was a guy who would help anyone and give the shirt off his own back if they needed it. Though our brother and dad faced significant challenges in his later years, and his illness often made it difficult for him to express the kindness and love he held deep within, those of who knew him understood that beneath the struggles was a person of inherent goodness. If he was with us now, we think he would say “Don’t cry for me. Just remember me.” Doug was preceded in death by grandparents on both sides and his parents James and Betty Brink. He is survived by his children, Cassie Brink, Portland OR and Spencer Brink, Rapid City; his siblings, James Brink, Rapid City, Jenny Brink (Patty Pruett), Helena MT. and Michele Brink-Gluhosky (Matt Gluhosky), Rapid City, niece, Ellie Gluhosky, Portland OR and nephew, Luke Gluhosky, Nashville TN.