Doug Moeller has been and/or is currently a member of the Poinsett
Pounder Snowmobile Club and Town & Country Snowmobile Club. Doug
was a Charter Member of the Bryant Drift Busters throughout the 1970’s
and 1980’s.
Doug Moeller has been a member of SDSA for 41 proud years.
Doug Moeller’s lifelong love of snowmobiling began in the winter of 1968 –
1969. His uncle owned the only snowmobile at the time in Bryant. The
snowmobile was a 1968 Polaris Mustang one cylinder. During that specific
winter and Doug having the only snowmobile in town, he helped out
people stranded both in town and in the country. Doug performed many
errands such as: taking people home, going to the country to pick up
medicine, picked up twin boys where they were stranded for a week taking
them back home.
One specific story happens to be of Doug taking a classmate, who lived in
the country outside of Bryant, home to see her parents and pick up
clothes as she had been stranded in town for a week. It’s difficult for some
to understand how the winters used to be and the limited equipment there
was to move around in the snow. Thanks to Doug and the use of his
uncle’s snowmobile, he was able to help many individuals out to ensure
their safety!
Beginning in the early 1970’s, Doug owned a Sno-Prince, a 1972 – 295
Polaris Colt followed with a 1973 – Polaris 530 Charger. In 1974, he
made the switch to Arctic Cat. Anyone who knows Doug Moeller, they
know he loves Arctic Cat!! If there ever needed to be a poster-child for
Arctic Cat, Doug would have graciously stepped up to the plate.
Doug was a Charter Member of the Bryant Drift Busters in the 1970’s and
early 80’s. He assisted in the organization of the club. Doug played an
instrumental role in the creation, organization, and execution of the many
fundraisers the Drift Busters took part in over the years. These fundraisers
included a Cancer Ride, MS Crippled Children (Easter Seals), March
of Dimes. Doug led the efforts to ensure the Bryant Drift Busters were the
first club to ride for Easter Seals. In addition, Doug assisted with the
many Club’s family days on Plum lake. His favorite was helping the kids
with the obstacle courses and sledding down the hills.
Doug served as a Delegate at the Snowmobile Conventions in the 1970’s.
To this day, Doug continues to attend the SDSA Convention and Annual
Meeting every year. It would be easier to count the number of years he
was not able to make the Convention compared the number he participated
in. Doug also takes great pleasure in attending each year’s Governors
ride, and being a “Red Bibber” for many years!
Over the years Doug has been a leader amongst his immediate family of
his wife, Bonnie, and sons, Joe and David, along with fellow club members
of finding and traveling to many great places to enjoy snowmobiling.
Places visited were, Black Hills, Yellowstone, Grand Lake, CO, Snowy
Range, Togwotee, North and South Big Horns, Copper
Harbor, MI, Hackensack, MN.
One of the specific memories I have of Uncle Doug along with
his family from when I was growing up is, we would always
get together with Grandpa Gizzy and Grandma Emma to
share Christmas dinner together and we would always have
to eat early in the day as the Moeller’s were heading to
Yellowstone to snowmobile. For at least 10 years in a row,
they would grab their Christmas lights and head out to
Yellowstone. I was recently told that it got to the point the
motel where they stayed at just sent them the key through the
mail with it being Christmas time and they were off visiting
family. Doug and Bonnie were able to make such great family
memories with their boys sharing their love of the sport they
hold so dear to their hearts.
Doug has enjoyed attending many snowmobile races over the
years, including Alexandria, and Shakopee, MN. As of the
last few years, Doug has also attended the Sno-Cross race in
Deadwood where he has helped set up and tear down the
tent for SDSA’s booth.
Fast forward a few years—Doug served as President of the
Poinsett Pounders from 2010-2012. He has also assisted in
the planning and hosting of several SDSA Conventions hosted by Poinsett
Pounders. Doug has played an instrumental role in the planning of various
Club activities for both the Poinsett Pounders and Town & Country. A few
of the major events include: Ride for the Ribbon, Winter Games, Kid’s
Safety Course, Annual Membership Golf Tourney, crafted the idea of a
Glow Ball tourney at Lake Region Golf Course…. (which was a HUGE hit
– inside Joke). Assisted in hosting the Poinsett Pounder’s Hospitality
room and Town & Country set up the tent for the at the 36th Annual ISC in
Sioux Falls – 2004.
In 1995, Doug was a Charter Member of the Town & Country Snowmobile
Club, assisting in the organization and set up the Four Lakes Trail. Doug’s
family is responsible for marking & maintaining 21 miles of the Four Lakes
Trail system. Doug has also assisted the Town & Country Club in planning
and execution of several SDSA conventions, Poker rides,
Snowmobile races and hosting the SDSA Governor’s Ride. Doug was
instrumental in the decision to sell football books to raise money for Town
& Country’s first Convention. Doug urged and convinced the T & C Club
to propose a format change for the Governor’s Ride from a Lunch to
Brunch format. Doug also assisted in the grooming operations of the Four
Lakes Trail system the first year Town & Country had their trail.
Doug has been an extremely active and involved Snowmobiler for over 50
years playing a supportive role to many key Club and State levels decisions
along with his hands-on approach to getting results and tasks completed.
Other activities include:
1978 – Doug assisted in the organization and execution of a fundraiser for
a local family that lost their home in a house fire.
2001 – Doug assisted in the organization and execution of a fund raiser
for a local man with medical issues. A Poker Ride, meal, auction and
dance raised more than $10,000. Both the Poinsett Pounders and Town
and Country Clubs supported this event.
In the Community of Bryant, Doug has served as a Volunteer Firemen, a
City Council member, served on the local Theater Board, and Lake
Region Golf Course Board.
You will not find a more dedicated, supportive family man who loves to
share his passion for a sport like Doug Moeller does. He is an inspiration
for all to follow! Thank you, Uncle Doug, for all you have done and continue
to do to make Snowmobiling what it is in South Dakota!
Respectfully Submitted,
DUG Weelborg
Vice President
Poinsett Pounder SC