A Career of Service

Ben Reifel鈥檚 career consisted of many years of faithful service, especially for American Indians. Because of his service, and the Department of the Interior鈥檚 Distinguished Service Award in 1961 for his exceptional career in the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Reifel receives Department of Interior Award
Reifel receives Department of Interior Award

Secretary of the Interior, Stewart Udall, presents Reifel with the Department of the Interior's Distinguished Service Award in 1961.

Reifel receives an Award from the Americans for Constitutional Action
Reifel receives award from Americans for Constitutional Action

Reifel receiving the distinguished service award from the Americans for Constitutional Action.

Americans for Constitutional Award
Distinguished Service Award

Distinguished Service Award Reifel received for Americans for Constitutional Action.

Reifel was awarded the Outstanding American Indian Award in 1956
Outstanding American Indian Award

Reifel was awarded the Outstanding American Indian Award in 1956, the Annual Achievement Award by the Indian Council Fire in 1960.

Outstanding American Indian of the Year Award
Reifel's Outstanding American Indian Award

"Whereas, this honor accorded to Mr. Reifel is well deserved for his activity on behalf of Indian People and for the example he is setting for other Indians..." - Robert Burnette, Committee Chairman, Outstanding American Indian Award.

Boy Scouts

Ben Reifel was active in Boy Scouts for many years. He served as president of Boy Scouts of America鈥檚 Pheasant Council, was a member of the executive committee of the North Central Region and served as chairman of an Indian Advisory committee. He also served as a member of the National American Indian Relationships Committee.

Reifel with Boy Scouts
Reifel with Boy Scouts
Reifel receiving Silver Antelope Award
Reifel receiving Silver Antelope Award
Silver Antelope Award
Silver Antelope Award

Silver Antelope award exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within one of the geographical regions of the Boy Scouts of America.

Silver Beaver Award
Silver Beaver Award

Silver Beaver award for those who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council.

Silver Buffalo Award
Silver Buffalo Award

Silver Buffalo award for his noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth.

Silver Wolf Award
Silver Wolf Award

Silver Wolf award for services of the most exceptional character. 

Honorary Doctor of Law Degree
Ben Reifel receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from USD in 1971.

Honorary Degree

After his retirement in 1970, Reifel was honored by several South Dakota colleges and universities.

He received honorary doctorates from:

  • 日本av视频
  • University of South Dakota
  • Northern State College
Honorary Degree from USD
Honorary Degree from USD

Honorary degree Reifel received from the University of South Dakota in 1971.

Honorary degree from 日本av视频
Honorary degree from 日本av视频

Citation for honorary degree awarded to Reifel by 日本av视频 in 1971.

Other honors

A dormitory at Reifel鈥檚 alma mater named a dormitory in his honor.

The Cedar Pass Visitor Center at the Badlands National Park in western South Dakota was renamed the Ben Reifel Visitor Center in 1990.

A Sioux Falls middle school is currently being built and will be called the Ben Reifel Middle School.