Munson honored with Lewis & Clark Trailblazer Award; Meter to be dedicated in his honor

Sid Munson of Tea has been recognized with the prestigious Lewis & Clark Trailblazer Award, the highest honor given by the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System (L&C). During a ceremony on June 26, L&C Chairman Murray Hulstein praised Munson’s decades of dedication, announcing that the organization’s meter building in Tea will also be dedicated in his honor later this summer.

“Like the vision and perseverance shown by our namesake explorers, this award is given to those who have gone above and beyond in their distinguished and dedicated service,” said Hulstein. “On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I am incredibly honored to present the Lewis & Clark Trailblazer Award to…drum roll please…Sid Munson of Tea!”

Munson has served on the L&C Board and various committees for 22 years and counting. He also spent 21 years on the Tea City Council, where he championed L&C’s mission, and has represented L&C on the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems’ board of directors for the past seven years.

Water has been a constant thread in Munson’s career: he worked for the City of Tea’s public works department before spending most of his professional life at the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems. Hulstein noted Munson’s passion for water development, second only to his love for family and golf.

That passion even led to a bit of local fame: in 2021, water from the tap at Munson’s house in Tea — sourced 100% from L&C — won the Best Tasting Water Award. Hulstein joked they considered copying Wall Drug’s iconic “free ice water” sign: “Would have been interesting to see how many pickups with water tanks in the back would have shown up in his driveway,” he laughed.

“Seriously though,” Hulstein continued, “Sid takes his board responsibilities very seriously. He is not afraid to speak up or go against the grain. We’re lucky to have him. This is a well-deserved honor for his lifelong passion for water development and everything he has done to help get L&C to where it is today.”

In addition to the award, L&C announced plans to dedicate the Tea meter building in Munson’s name. “This could open the flood gates — other things around Tea might be dedicated in your honor, like maybe the golf course whenever they build one,” Hulstein teased. 

A dedication ceremony for the meter building will be held on Thursday, July 24. Lunch will be served at the nearby picnic shelter starting at 11:45 a.m., with the ceremony beginning no later than 12:30 p.m. Community members are invited to attend and celebrate Munson’s outstanding contributions.