John Russell Page, of Custer, SD, passed away on June 2nd, 2016 at the age of 64.  John grew up in Kansas, graduating Wichita State University with an MBA in 1975. It was a college mountaineering class, taught by “Doc” Laptad that brought him to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

He taught Finance at Black Hills State University, did surveying and construction, and loved math, gardening, fishing, photography and ‘rocks’.  John wrote the best-selling printed Needles guidebook, “Recommended Climbing Routes in the Needles of Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota” a simple bi-fold.

He was one of the most colorful and entertaining climbers in the Black Hills.  He maintained trails, encouraged Tread Lightly before the term evolved, and was a staunch supporter of ground up and keeping proliferation of bolts to a minimum. His most legendary climb, John’s Jump, was contemplated for months before committing the lead in August 1977. He had a tremendous passion for preserving Sylvan Lake and Custer State Park, as he believed it was the best place on earth one could be.  In his faded coveralls and ‘Pinnacle Repair Service’ hat, John helped countless visitors navigate the maze of granite, cleaned trash along the Needles Highway, protected park landmarks from vandalism, and was always ready with a tale for the gullible, mostly non-climbers.  His kindness, laughter, and witty humor will be missed.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Willard ‘Bill’ Page and Mildred Edna Hughes Page of Wichita, KS; friends Paul and Loretta Muehl, Paul Duval and Herb Conn.  He is survived by his brother, Robert W. Page of Orlando, FL, sister, Jane Page of Denver, CO/Irvine, CA, and nieces, Nikki (Page) Toon of Overland Park, KS and Katie Page of Prairie Village, KS. 

A memorial fund has been established with the Black Hills Climbers Coalition, c/o Jim Slichter, BHCC Treasurer, 24102 Jacob Mesa Road, Hill City, SD 57745.