Stan Adelstein

Stanford "Stan" M. Adelstein (born August 19, 1931) is an American politician from the state of South Dakota. He is a member of the Republican Party. He served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2001-2005, and later retired from the South Dakota Senate, where he represented the 32nd district from 2005-2007 and again from 2008-2013.

Early life and education
Adelstein was born in Sioux City, Iowa. He grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, but graduated from high school in Denver, Colorado, where there were more opportunities for him to connect with his Jewish heritage. He graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he majored in civil engineering and business. He served in the United States Army, and then returned to Rapid City in 1957. His family founded the Northwestern Engineering Company, where he worked and eventually took over. He also earned a Graduate of Business Administration degree with honors from South Dakota of School Mines & Technology.

Political career
Adelstein was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2000, and served four years in the House before he was elected to the South Dakota Senate in 2005. In 2006, Adelstein was defeated in the Republican primary by Elli Schwiesow. He endorsed the Democratic Party nominee, Tom Katus. In 2008, Adelstein regained the seat, defeating Katus and Schwiesow in a three-way race with Schwiesow running as an independent. Adelstein ran unopposed for the South Dakota Senate in 2010 and 2012. In December 2013, Adelstein resigned from the South Dakota Senate due to health reasons.

Sue Dinosaur Dispute
Stan Adelstein offered to put up 1.2 million dollars in attempt to keep the fossils of Sue, the largest tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered, in South Dakota. Ultimately, he was out-bid at the Sotheby's auction in New York City. Adelstein was featured in the documentary film Dinosaur 13 for these efforts.

Achievements & Recognition
Adelstein was inducted into the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. He received Distinguished Service Award, from the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1961.

Other achievements include:

Listed in “Outstanding Young Men in America” (1966)

R.A. Pier Good Government Award, Junior Chamber of Commerce (1970)

MENSA Induction (1971)

Distinguished Lecturer, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (1983-1986)

Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, University of Colorado (1994)

Public Service Award, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (1995)

Selective Service System Meritorious Service Award (2002)

South Dakota Philanthropist of the Year, Governor’s Office (2004)

Governor’s Award for the Arts (2005)

Oglala Lakota College Inductee, Tatanka Okalakiciye “Buffalo Society” (2005)

Inductee, South Dakota Hall of Fame (2006)

Rapid City School District Starfish Award for Outstanding Support and Commitment to Education Excellence (2008)

Black Hills Symphony Russell Mettler Orchestra Service Award (2009)

Wind Beneath Our Wings Outstanding Performance Award, Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce (2012)

Featured Listee, Who’s Who in American Politics, Marquis Who’s Who (2009-2010, 2012, 2014)

Featured Listee, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Marquis Who’s Who (1992-1993, 2011-2016)

Publications
In August 2019, a biography about Adelstein entitled "The Question is "Why?"" by Eric Steven Zimmer was published by Vantage Point Press.