Mayor's Recovery and Family's Grief

Aberdeen Mayor Travis Schaunaman is out of the hospital and able to walk again, following a powered parachute crash that claimed the life of his 8-year-old son, Emerson, as reported by Aberdeen News. The mayor and his daughter Isabella have both been released from the hospital, according to the same report. Schaunaman shared the news on his Facebook page on Saturday, Aug. 22, along with a heartfelt tribute to his son.

In his post, Schaunaman described Emerson as a "ray of light" and expressed that he, his wife, and two daughters cherish him and always will. He called his son's death the "worst pain we've ever experienced," but added, "I believe he went from doing what he loved with his dad and sister to being with Jesus in a moment without pain."

The mayor also credited his daughter Isabella with saving his life, writing, "Isabella has some stitches and (is) physically doing well. She is the bravest kid you could imagine. If it wasn't for her actions, I'd have died in a field on Wednesday." Aberdeen News reported that Isabella is physically doing well and that the mayor's injuries were serious but non-life-threatening.

The Crash and Investigation

The crash occurred at 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Aberdeen, according to a statement from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Aug. 21. The NTSB and the Brown County Sheriff's Office are investigating the incident, as reported by Aberdeen News. The mayor and his daughter were transported to Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, where Emerson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Memorial Service Details

A memorial service for Emerson will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, at New Life Fellowship, 619 Eighth Ave. NW in Aberdeen, as announced by Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, which is handling arrangements. Pastors Rodney Johnson and Chuck Hogle will officiate. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the funeral home. An online guestbook is available at Schriver's website, and the services will be recorded and posted on the funeral home's Facebook page. A full obituary is pending.

Community and Official Reactions

Schaunaman wrote a long tribute describing Emerson's personality and their relationship, noting that his son was "the smartest, funniest and most good natured boy you could meet." Almost 2,000 people had left comments on his Facebook page as of Saturday evening, according to Aberdeen News. South Dakota leaders, including Gov. Larry Rhoden, U.S. Sen. John Thune, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, offered prayers and condolences, with Rounds posting a prayer on Facebook.