Dr. Kermit Lidstrom

Dr. Kermit Lidstrom, 83, Bismarck, the genial, politically savvy President Emeritus of Bismarck State College, died peacefully on November 26, 2013, at his home. Dr. Lidstrom has been cremated and a memorial service will be held on Friday, December 6, at 2:00 PM at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck with Rev. Rick Fossum officiating. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery. Kermit was born on April 5, 1930, in Bismarck, ND, to Ernest and Millie Klaboe Lidstrom. He attended grammar school in Mandan, ND, and graduated from Mandan High School in 1947. During his school years he spent summers on the family ranch near Glen Ullin, ND. At the age of 20, he married Patricia Larsen, moved to Fargo, ND, built a home and attended North Dakota State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. While at NDSU, he was a member and officer of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and was a cadet captain in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps. In 1954, the Lidstroms moved to Cleveland, OH. Kermit attended graduate school and began a career in marketing. He was named vice-president of marketing of Jet Aeration Corporation of Cleveland in 1964. In 1968, he changed careers and became director of community services at Dyke College. He received a Master of Arts degree from John Carroll University in 1971. The next year he joined the newly organized Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland as an instructor and coordinator of business programs. In 1976, he received a doctorate in education from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In 1977, Dr. Lidstrom was hired by the Bismarck School Board to succeed Ralph Werner as the fourth chief executive officer of Bismarck State College. His many achievements during his presidency include development of the BSC Foundation and reorganization of the BSC National Alumni Association. In 1984, he coordinated the conversion of BSC from a city-owned to a state managed college, establishing BSC as the largest two-year college in North Dakota, with the third largest enrollment in the University System. He was instrumental in expansion of the campus, including development of the Bismarck Community Bowl, Edwards Avenue, Mystic Hall, and much needed addition to the Vocational-Technical Center. He championed numerous campus beautification projects, and he played a leading role in securing private and state funds to build the $8 million dollar Jack Science Center. Active in state, regional and national education associations, he served as president of the Council of North Central Two-Year Colleges 1991-1992. He also served on the American Association of Community College's commission of small/rural colleges 1986 – 1998. He was a board member and president of the North Dakota Council of Economic Education. In July of 1995, Dr. Lidstrom retired from Bismarck State College after 18 years of service. Retirement did not slow Kermit's boundless volunteer spirit; he continued to be a vibrant member of the community serving in various capacities, including founding president and board member of the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, chairman of the ND Education Fact Finding Commission 1996 – 2008, member of the Bismarck Veteran's Library Board 1996 – 2002, president of the Bismarck Rotary Club 1997 – 1998, member of the Burleigh County Commission 1997 – 2000, member of the Charles Hall Youth Services board 2001 – 2004, and member of the State Executive Council of the American Association of Retired Persons AARP 2004 – 2009. In 2009, Governor John Hoeven appointed Dr. Lidstrom to a three-year term on the newly formed Tobacco Prevention and Control Advisory Committee. He served on the Editorial Board of the North Dakota Blue Book for eight years, and Dr. Lidstrom was a trustee and constant advocate of the Bismarck State College Foundation. His extraordinary honors include the Cleveland Press Good Samaritan Award for risking his life to save the life of another, the 1989 Nova University Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Governor George Sinner presented Kermit with the North Dakota Voluntary Action Award in 1990. In 1998 at commencement, Dr. Lidstrom and his wife Patricia received Bismarck State College's prestigious distinguished service citation. The State Board of Higher Education recognized Dr. Lidstrom's talents and accomplishments by naming a new 35, 000 square foot student residence, on the BSC Campus, "Lidstrom Hall" in his honor. Active in scouting since he was twelve years old, Kermit earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1946 and he was a member of the Order of the Arrow. As an adult scouter, Dr. Lidstrom served as a commissioner, district chairman, council vice-president of the National Eagle Scout Association, district finance chairman, and vice-chair of the Council Endowment Committee. During his lifetime commitment to the Scout movement, he received many honors. Among these were the District Award of Merit 1988, and the Silver Beaver Award 1994. In 1988 the National Eagle Scout Association honored Dr. Lidstrom by designating him a distinguished Eagle Scout DES, and at the same time he was appointed as a "Regent for Life" of the national Eagle Scout Association. These exceptional honors are bestowed on adult Eagle Scouts who have gained status for their life work and for sharing their talents with their communities on a voluntary basis. In 100 years of scouting, in the United States, over two million young men have advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout; of these, less than 3, 000 adult Eagle Scouts have gained the unique status of being named a "distinguished Eagle Scout." Kermit was understandably proud of being regarded as one of the most revered Eagle Scouts in America. One of Kermit's favorite avocations was singing. In his teens he sang in the Mandan High School Chorus and Church Choir. As a college student at NDSU, he sang in the Men's Chorus, and while teaching at Dyke College in Cleveland, OH, he directed the mixed chorus at the college. The highlight of his music experience was the 20 years he sang baritone with the Bismarck-Mandan Elks Chorus. He is survived by his daughters, Linda, Katherine, and Eve; two granddaughters, Laura and Katie; one great-granddaughter, Layla Rose; and one great-grandson, Samuel James. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia. The family requests that memorials be sent to Bismarck State College Foundation, PO Box 5587, Bismarck, ND 58506, or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Dr. Kermit Lidstrom

April 5, 1930 - November 26, 2013