By Todd McDonald
Fargo, ND – Las Vegas casino owner and University of North Dakota benefactor Ralph Englestad has died.
Englestad will be remembered for his philanthropic endeavours in promoting the University in the development of the new Ralph Englestad Arena, as well as another arena in his hometown of Thief River Falls, Minnesota.
Thief River Falls alderman Dale Wenberg grew up with Englestad, and says it was motivation that made Englestad who he was.
"What he wanted, he fought very hard to get," said Wenberg. "All of his mottos -- 'the harder I work, the luckier I get' -- are true. Ralph was a very dedicated person to his business and the things and people close to him."
Phil Harmeson is the senior associate to campus president Charles Kupchalla. He says it won't be hard to memorialize Englestad.
"His commitment to UND went far beyond his financial commitment," Harmeson said. "He had a huge and great passion for the institution."
Harmeson says Englestad took a lot of pride in the school and its tradition, and credited the school for changing his life.