36 • The WRANGLER • June, 2024
Dick Van Pelt:
They Don't make 'Em Like that anymore.
A
lthough Dick Van Pelt was originally from
Nebraska, he spent most of his life in Laramie,
Wyoming, where he cemented himself as a pillar of
the community.
Born June 14, 1945, in Scottsbluff, Dick was raised on his
family's ranch in Harrisburg. What started as a homestead
when his great-grandparents came from the East had
grown into a diversified cattle and farming operation. Later,
and at Dick's urging, the operation ran primarily Simmental
cattle and bulls. Helping with chores from a young age,
Dick was raised on the back of a horse.
Aside from that, he was a gifted basketball player, runner,
pole vaulter, and during football games would change
from his jersey to his band uniform to play trombone in
the halftime show. In his late teens he began roping in the
rodeo arena, a passion that would last until his passing in
September 2023.
Dick moved to Laramie to pursue a degree in Agricultural
Economics at the University of Wyoming. He roped all
through college and was also on the University of Wyoming
Horse Judging team that won the National Championship
at the Cow Palace in California. He was an unofficial
member of the agriculture fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho,
spending so much time and eating so many meals at the
house that the brothers assumed he was a member.
After completing his education, Dick took a job at the
Bank of Laramie. Starting as the errand boy, Dick eventually
became the president and was recognized several times
for managing the most profitable bank in Wyoming. That
grew into First Wyoming Bank and then Key Bank, and
Dick decided he preferred to be at a home-owned bank.
He was offered a job at the First National Bank of
Wyoming, a smaller and more locally owned bank. His wife
Dianne Van Pelt, remembers him as "the rancher's lender."
"Through all of this banking career, he was gravitated
towards taking care of the ranching customers. And he
was more than a rancher's banker. He was usually invited
to their brandings. He'd go and take his horse and rope
and help brand and really became personal friends with
them. They weren't just his customers. They were his
friends," she recalled.
All throughout Dick's banking career, he maintained
his love of horses. He was an avid team roper and was a
member of the AQHA for over 50 years. He and his wife
also owned and operated Vista Grande ranch south of
Laramie where they raised ranch and roping horses.
By Erin Rees
Back When They Bucked Back When They Bucked
