Jerald Dean Nachtigal, 57, of Sioux Falls, died Sunday, April 16, 2017, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
Memorial services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 21 also at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
Jerry was born on June 9, 1959, in Brookings,, the third of Glen and Doreen (Thompson) Nachtigal's five children. Jerry graduated from Brookings High School in 1977.
In that same year he enrolled at South Dakota State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1981. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Associated Press as a correspondent.
His 19 year career with the AP led to assignments in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri, and Phoenix, Ariz. Jerry was known for the humor, insight and humanity he brought to his writing. In 1999, Jerry was hired as Communications Director for Governor Mel Carnahan of Missouri. While in this position, Jerry had the distinction of serving as spokesman for three different governors. He handled the difficult announcement of the death of Governor Carnahan and two others in a plane crash in October 2000 with emotion and grace. In 2002, Jerry moved to South Dakota to serve as press spokesman for James Abbott's unsuccessful bid for Governor.
He was subsequently hired as Sr. Vice President of Public Affairs for Citibank, a position he held until his death. In this position, Jerry served on a number of boards, including the South Dakota Banking Association, Sioux Falls YMCA, South Dakota State University Foundation Council of Trustees, Delta Dental of South Dakota Foundation and as a member of the Sioux Falls 2025 Downtown Plan Advisory Committee. Jerry especially enjoyed the philanthropic aspect of his assignment, serving as the face of Citibank in charitable efforts. Jerry was also instrumental in helping to bring a new indoor community tennis center to the Sioux Falls community. While not an avid player of the lifelong sport, he understood the significance of bringing more recreation options to the community and the economic impact that comes with hosting tournaments and bringing in visitors to the region.
Jerry married Ann Andersen, a television anchor and reporter for the NBC affiliate KYTV in Springfield, Missouri in 1994, and they raised three children. The couple enjoyed their family, supporting their children in all their school, sporting and extracurricular activities. Their friends have always been a great source of joy, and with their warmth and spirit Jerry and Ann have made friends wherever they lived. Jerry was very proud of his hometown of Brookings, of being a South Dakotan and of his association with South Dakota State University, where he served on its Board of Trustees and agonized over the results of every State football or basketball game. He was especially proud that his alma mater named the Nachtigals as the SDSU Family of the Year in 2005. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and birding. He was a lifelong Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan and a lover of baseball.
Jerry is survived by his wife Ann, of Sioux Falls; daughter Libby and sons Reid and Jack, all of Sioux Falls; sisters: Nancy Nightengale of Henderson, Nev. and Jane Eastlund (Dale) of Bloomington, Minn.; brothers: Jim (Susan) of Holden, Mass., and Jon of Claremont, Calif.
Memorials may be directed to the SDSU Foundation for a scholarship fund in Jerry's name.
