Dave Leatherman

Growing up in Lead, South Dakota, Dave Leatherman spent much of his life around the Homestake property. His father, Kenny Leatherman, worked for Homestake for 40 years, and that connection eventually grew into a career of Dave’s own, one that now spans more than three decades underground.

Dave worked for Homestake for 14 years before returning to the site in 2007 to help reopen and stabilize the Ross Shaft so pumping operations could resume—an effort that remains one of the proudest moments of his career. Since then, he has worn many hats during his time at SURF, and in 2019, he transitioned into a full-time role on SURF’s Emergency Response Team (ERT).

Today, Dave finds fulfillment in using his deep knowledge of the underground to help train others, build confidence, and reinforce a strong safety culture. Through his work on ERT, he plays a key role in preparing teams to safely navigate the many levels of the facility.

Outside of work, Dave enjoys camping, boating, and golfing, but much of his time is dedicated to giving back to the community. Dave and his family have been involved with Special Olympics South Dakota since 2008, and their dedication helped bring a Polar Plunge event to Lead for the first time, debuting on February 20. “We’re very grateful for the support from SURF in helping bring the Polar Plunge to Lead,” Dave said. Proceeds from the event will support athletes and programs across the region. To learn more or participate, visit sosd.org/polar-plunge.

With more than 30 years on the Homestake property, Dave’s experience, leadership, and commitment to safety continue to shape the underground every day.

Photo caption: Dave and his friend Jeremiah at a Special Olympics event supporting athletes in the community.