Legend Roger Musick
A Curious Mind, A Generous Heart
Roger was born April 29, 1949, and grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota, in a hardworking family. When he was young, he had paper routes to earn his own money, and his uncle inspired him to love electronics. By junior high, Roger already knew he wanted to become an engineer!
He worked hard in school and even fixed TVs after school. He was the first in his family to go to college, and he paid for it himself.
After graduating from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology with a degree in electrical engineering in 1971, Roger decided to stay in South Dakota instead of moving to a big city. He got a summer job helping design telephone systems—and he loved it so much that he stayed and built a career doing that work.
Roger became a business owner and helped create important communication systems, like phone networks and early computer programs. He was excited about new technology and even taught himself computer programming when computers were still very new.
Guidance That Shaped a Life
Roger’s uncle, Lyle Storla, became an important mentor in his life. When Lyle was about 12 years old, he got polio—a serious disease that, at the time, had no vaccine. Many people became very sick, and some were paralyzed. Lyle lost the use of both legs and one arm.
Even though he faced these challenges, Lyle did not let them stop him. He lived next door to Roger, worked a job his entire life, and stayed curious about the world. He had a strong interest in technology and regularly read a magazine called Popular Electronics.
Roger often visited Lyle and read the magazines with him. Seeing Roger’s interest, Lyle encouraged him to learn more about electronics. His support helped spark Roger’s passion for technology and played an important role in shaping his future.
Follow Your Curiosity
What are you curious about? Is there something you like to do, that when you do it or learn about it that you want to know more and it is fun?
Is there something you love to do or learn about?
Something that makes you want to keep exploring because it’s fun?
Because of his Uncle Lyle, Roger knew by 7th grade he wanted to go to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and become an electrical engineer. He was so interested in electronics that he looked for every chance to learn more.
In junior high, Roger earned his amateur radio license. In high school, he worked at Electronics Supply, where he rebuilt TVs and TV picture tubes. He even passed the First Class FCC license, which allowed him to operate a TV or radio station!
A First Class FCC license was a special “expert pass” that proved someone knew how to operate and fix big radio stations safely and correctly.
When Roger was 20 and in college, he got a job running an educational TV station in Rapid City. Even though he was young, the owners trusted him because of his license, his knowledge, and his dedication. This job paid more than most college jobs, which helped Roger pay for his education.
Turning Curiosity into Success
Have you ever been told it’s important to be self-motivated, driven, resourceful, ambitious or a problem-solver?
Have your parents ever said – “Please do something without being told! “
Well, teachers and parents say these things because they want you to grow into being a successful adult who enjoys their job and helps the world be a better place. Roger Musick is that kind of person. Roger found something he loved to think about – electronics! Roger’s curiosity and excitement about technology led him to be self-motivated and resourceful in finding out as much as possible about how electronics worked. He was ambitious and driven to solve problems, and this is how he became successful, built companies, and became very wealthy.
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What it means:
You make yourself want to do something without someone telling you to.Kid example:
You start your homework or practice reading because you want to get better, not because someone reminds you. It’s like having a little “go button” inside you! -
What it means:
You really want to reach a goal and work hard until you do it.Kid example:
You keep practicing basketball every day because you want to make the team. It means you don’t give up easily—you keep going! -
What it means:
You are good at figuring things out and finding smart ways to solve problems.Kid example:
You build a tower with blocks and, when it falls, you try a new way to make it stronger. You use what you have and think creatively. -
What it means:
You have big dreams and want to work hard to achieve them.Kid example:
You dream of being a doctor, teacher, or athlete—and you start learning now to reach that goal! It’s about aiming high and believing you can do it. -
What it means:
You are someone who can figure out how to fix challenges or tricky situations.Kid example:
If your toy breaks or a math problem is hard, you think of ways to fix it or try again. You don’t give up—you find a way!
Inventing the Future
After graduating from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in 1971, Roger found a job in his hometown of Mitchell, SD at Martin & Associates. In this job, Roger could use his engineering degree and work with his favorite things…electronics!
One day in 1975, Roger picked up a copy of Popular Electronics, and on the cover was a picture of an Altair 8800. This was a life-changing moment for Roger!
Even though it cost $439.00 ($2,003.31 in 2026 dollars), he had no doubt that he was going to buy one. In his spare time, Roger spent the next five years using the Altair, which was considered more of a hobbyist machine in the mid-1970s, teaching himself about computers and programming. He even purchased a software program written by Bill Gates in 1975 for $60.
While working at Martin & Associates during the day, Roger spent his evenings writing a telephone billing system for Midstate Telephone Company. The work he completed on his own eventually led to the creation of the software division at Martin & Associates. The company later purchased a DEC VAX 11/780 computer, known as a superminicomputer.
Roger and his team at Martin & Associates developed innovative technologies that helped lay the foundation for the reliable phone and internet services we enjoy today.
After a few years, Roger decided to start his own company called Innovative Systems and the systems Roger’s business made helped other businesses and many people communicate clearly and quickly! The Innovative Systems company served customers all over the United States.
Because Roger solved so many technology problems, he became wealthy. He enjoyed solving problems and was able to provide nice things for his family. However, Roger really wanted to use the money he earned to help other people. He thought about how to give a great deal of his money to others to improve their lives.
Helping the World Communicate
Innovative Systems creates computer programs (software) that help other companies.
They make things like:
Phone systems for communication companies
TV systems (IPTV) used by many service providers
All-in-one software to help run a communications business
One of their popular systems is called APMAX, which helps with phone services.
Innovative Systems started as a small family company and grew into a big business that makes technology to help companies, schools, and organizations do their work better.
Don't Limit Your Future
When Roger and his wife were deciding who to help with their money, they knew they wanted to help kids. Thinking of his own childhood, Roger realized that if a person can find something they are interested in and get excited about, they will want to learn more about it.
Roger believes it is important to learn to read well and build strong math skills, even if you do not yet know what you want to be when you grow up. He encourages students to take math courses throughout school and become confident readers. Roger wants students to keep as many opportunities open as possible so they can pursue careers they enjoy. His advice is: Don’t limit your future in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade just because you are afraid to take math classes!
The largest gift Roger and his wife, Vicki, gave was $33 million dollars!
They gave two schools in his hometown of Mitchell, money to help improve the lives of kids in South Dakota.
The couple gave $15 million dollars to Mitchell Public Schools and $15 million dollars to Dakota Wesleyan University. He wants the schools to work together so the students can get really good at reading and math. The money will help the teachers in both schools continue to develop their teaching skills, which will ensure the students have great instruction.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who cares about other people and wants to help. They might donate money to schools, libraries, parks, hospitals, or causes they believe in. They give because they want to make a positive difference in their community and help others succeed.
Because of the generous gifts Roger and his wife, Vicki, have made to numerous charities, Mitchell Public Schools, and Dakota Wesleyan University, Governor Larry Rhoden proclaimed February 19, 2026, as Roger Musick Day in South Dakota.
Roger and Vicki were also honored as the 2025 Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year by the South Dakota Association of Fundraising Professionals (SDAFP).
Reflection:
You might notice Roger has had three important parts to his life:
1st – Roger became curious about electronics at a young age and did all he could to learn about it. He studied in middle and high school, worked on electronics and went to college to learn about electronics.
2nd – Roger got a job building systems that helped people communicate. He even started his own company and made a great deal of money.
3rd – Roger and his wife started giving their money away to help people, especially kids.
What leadership characteristics describe Roger
Right now, you are at a time in your life when you can explore new interests, ask questions, and discover the things that excite you.
What are some things you are interested in learning about?
What hobbies, activities, or subjects do you enjoy most?
Think about your reading skills.
Do you enjoy reading?
What kinds of books or stories do you like to read?
Do you feel confident as a reader?
If reading is difficult for you, what could you do to become a stronger reader?
Now think about your math skills.
Do you enjoy math?
Is math one of your favorite subjects? Why or why not?
What math skills would you like to improve?
Roger believes that strong reading and math skills can open many doors and create opportunities for your future.
Why do you think reading and math are important?
If you struggle with reading or math, what steps can you take to improve?
What you learn in school today can help prepare you for your future.
What kind of job or career do you think you might enjoy when you are older?
What skills do you think you will need to be successful in that job?
Roger has been very successful, but he is also known for his generosity. He enjoys helping others by sharing what he has.
What does it mean to be generous?
Have you ever given a gift or helped someone? How did it make you feel?
What was the last gift you gave to someone?
Think about a time when someone gave you a gift or helped you.
How did that make you feel?
Why do you think helping others is important?
You do not have to be rich to be generous.
Can you think of something you have that other children might not have?
If you had $100 to spend helping someone else, who would you help and why?
What would you buy or do to make a difference in that person's life?
What is a gift you could give someone that does not cost any money?
Final Reflection
You are going to school now to learn important things that can make your life meaningful. Roger’s story helps us see how being curious and learning about things you are excited about can lead to you finding a job you enjoy and then thinking about the needs of others and being generous.
