Obituary for Ignacio "Iggie" Magbuhat, Hall of Fame Umpire, Rapid City, SD

Ignacio “Iggie” Magbuhat, 91 of Rapid City, SD passed away on October 20th, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Society.

Iggie was born on March 17th, 1932, to Ignacio Claridades Magbuhat and Anna Veronica (Heywood) in San Pedro, CA.  After Ignacio graduated from Pensacola Catholic High School, Florida in 1950, he was offered a baseball scholarship to Spring Hill Jesuit College in Mobile, Alabama but was unable to accept due to the Korean War.  He then joined the United States Air Force and served his country.

On January 20, 1951, Iggie married his high school sweetheart Mary Lou Phillips and went on to have 9 children: Mike, Patricia, Monica, Pamela, Mark, John, Susan, Joseph and Emily.  

In 1976, MSGT Ignacio Magbuhat retired from the United States Air Force.  During his active duty he was stationed in Biloxi Mississippi, Lackland AFB, Keesler AFB, MacDill AFB, Tampa FL, Warner Robins AFB, Keflavik Iceland AFB, Charleston AFB, Barksdale AFB, and in 1962 he was stationed at Ellsworth AFB South Dakota to finish out his career.  

While serving his country he also started his Officiating Career in 1957 at Barksdale AFB.  Iggie always said there was nothing better than officiating a ball game!!  He was addicted.  He went on to officiate baseball, football, basketball and volleyball.  But we all knew what his true love was, SOFTBALL.  He went on to get many Officiating Awards throughout his career in football, softball, and volleyball but the ones he was most proud of was umpiring the US Olympics Women’s Fast Pitch Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, all the men’s, women’s fast pitch awards, Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, USA Softball of South Dakota Hall of Fame 1993 and National Indicator in 1993. He said the greatest award was a “Thank You” from the players, coaches, and fans.  

Last, but not least the most important in his life as an Official was his wife, Mary Lou.  Without her sacrifices, he would not have been able to officiate night after night, week after week, month after month, and year after year.  He said “No words can ever be said that will ever express the thanks I owe her.  She truly was the love of my life.” He loved his family and friends, and he certainly loved life.  

Iggie was preceded in death by parents, Ignacio and Anna Magbuhat, wife Mary Lou Magbughat, Granddaughter Christina Magbuhat, Grandson Joshua Magbuhat, and his brothers, sisters, aunt, and uncles.

He is survived by Mike, Patricia (Dave) Hollis, Monica (Rick) Snoot, Pamela (Cliff) Barnes, Mark (Nancy) Magbuhat, John (Sandra) Magbugat, Susan (Steve) Devejian, Joseph (Lisa) Magbuhat, Emily (Matt) Neal, SPECIAL NIECE Darla Padegimas, 19 Grand Children and 21 Great Grand Children.

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Kirk Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm, Monday, October 30, 2023, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral, in Rapid City.

Celebration of Life Reception will be held at The Shrine Center, 4091 Sturgis Road, Monday, October 30 following the Funeral Service.