Duayne W. Robley (Term 1962 - 1964)

Duayne W. Robley (September 23, 1920 – August 22, 2020) was a World War II veteran, Deadwood restaurant owner and Mayor of Deadwood.  Born on September 23, 1920 in Mount Vernon, South Dakota, Robley grew up on a ranch south of Timber Lake, South Dakota.  In 1939 Duayne traveled west and settled in Washington State where he worked various jobs including a cook at an Army hospital in Vancouver.  On December 21, 1941 Duayne enlisted in the US Navy and served his country until October 5, 1945.  Three years later, the Robley family arrived in Deadwood and opened Robley’s Café located at 660 ½ Main Street in 1848.  Duayne became involved in county and state politics when he ran for the Lawrence County Commission in 1950 and State Senate in 1954.  Within the Deadwood community, Robley was involved in the Deadwood Jaycees, served as Post Commander for VFW Post # 5969, was a member of Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, Deadwood Elks, and Deadwood Masonic Lodge.  In 1962, Robley was elected Mayor of Deadwood and served in this position for two years.  In 1968 Robley quit the restaurant business and went to work as a federal meat inspector in South Dakota, Minnesota and Idaho.  On August 22, 2020, Robley died in at the Grand Island Veteran’s Home in Kearney, Nebraska.  He is buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota.