MURDO — Rob Kaiser loved the Jones County Invitational. 

Kaiser, who ran the score clock at Jones County’s home basketball games, died in Oct. 2022 at the age of 55. Not only did Kaiser run the score clock, he was on the JCI all-tourney and Pete Kerns Award committees, reported games to the media outlets, announced games and was a friendly face at the tournament since moving to Murdo in 1990.   

“He lived for the tournament,” said long-time friend Tammy VanDam. “He loved it. He was very involved and helped in any way. Then they’d go out and meet up with the refs after the games. He loved all of it.”

The 55th annual Jones County Invitational is Jan. 12-14 in Murdo. The boys basketball tournament consists of eight West River communities — White River, Bennett County, Colome, Lyman, Philip, Kadoka Area, Jones County and Stanley County — packed into tiny Harold Thune Auditorium. 

The Jones County School District will honor Kaiser before Jones County’s game at 8 p.m. tonight against Stanley County.

Kaiser and VanDam sat side-by-side at countless Jones County basketball games, with Kaiser as the clock keeper and VanDam as the scorebook keeper. Kaiser provided an extra set of eyes for VanDam at the scorers table.

“He was an asset because he’d be able to help you if you missed where somebody shot,” VanDam said. “He just backed you up because there were times refs would get in my way or something. We made a good team.” 

Rob Kaiser will be honored at this year's Jones County Invitational. (Courtesy Photo)

This weekend, VanDam will wear a button with Kaiser’s picture on it and put “In Memory of Rob Kaiser” on Kaiser’s chair, which she’ll have at the scorers table with her. 

“This is my 30th year and he did 20 some with me for the book,” VanDam said. “It’s definitely going to be hard. I miss him.”

Kaiser graduated from Cresbard High School in 1985. After graduating from Black Hills State University in 1989, Kaiser began his teaching and coaching career at Jones County School in 1990.

Kaiser enjoyed all levels of sports and was a walking encyclopedia of South Dakota sports history. He attended many state basketball tournaments, state track and field meets and Summit League tournament games. He also broadcasted games on the radio with Steve Ammerman.

“He loved sports,” VanDam said. “He watched every game and was really knowledgeable in the sports statistics. He could tell you scores from way back when and not just Jones County, but in South Dakota.”

He was much more than a sports fanatic, too. Kaiser, who left his teaching position in 1999 to take a job as Finance Officer at West Central Electric in Murdo, was active in the community. 

He was a director for the Black Hills Credit Union, member of the Murdo Country Club, Jones County Lions and St. Martin’s Catholic Church. At St. Martin’s, he served as a lector, eucharistic minister and as finance officer. Kaiser was an organ and tissues donor, donating all that he could through Live On Nebraska.

Kaiser was also selfless, caring and a friendly person to everyone.

“He was always there if anybody needed anything,” VanDam said. “But he never wanted to be recognized for it.”