Dave Dedrick

Dave Dedrick was a radio personality and television pioneer from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was best remembered for his four decades as host on the long-running children's program, "Captain 11." David Hugo Dedrick was born to parents, Daniel and Sylvia (Marie) Dedrick, in Marshalltown, Iowa. He moved with his family to Fort Dodge, Iowa before finally settling in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dedrick was only fifteen years old when he started his long career in broadcasting, working for KSOO and KELO radio when he was a junior and senior at Washington High School. After graduation, Dedrick spent four years serving with the U.S. Marine Corp before being honorably discharged. Dedrick married MarJean Schuknecht and spent eighteen months attending Augustana College before being called to active duty with the Marine Reserves during the Korean Conflict. Dave Dedrick's voice was the first to be heard on KELO-TV during the station's inaugural broadcast on May 19, 1953. He spent the next forty-four years serving as KELO-TV's weather man. After winning a coin toss, Dedrick became the host of the children's television program, "Captain 11," which ran from 1955 to 1996. After his retirement on December 30, 1996, Dave Dedrick received many awards and honors for his work in broadcasting.