Walter H. Hassed

Dr. W. H. Hassed Takes LIfe, Ill Health Blamed

This community was shocked Monday morning of this week when it was learned that Dr. Walter H. Hassed, a resident of Lusk since 1917, had taken his own life at his home about 10:30 o'clock.

Dr. Hassed has been in ill health the past several years and only recently had returned from the Veterans' hospital at Hot Springs, South Dakota where he had been taking special treatments. He had apparently benefited from this hospitalization and up until a few days ago had been feeling much improved. Lately he had been staying at home and had been resting much of the time, his wife caring for him and helping the Doctor in caring for patients who might call at the office.

Monday morning of this week he had been bathed and his bed made up so that he might rest better. He had given no indication of the rash act that was to follow and the family wre not especially concerned over his state of mind. About 10:20 o'clock a patient called at the office for a minor injury treatment and Mrs. Hassed stepped into the office in another part of the house. It was while his wife was out of the room that the Doctor had left his bed, had taken a high-powered 30-40 rifle and sitting down on the bed in front of a mirror, placed the gun at his forehead and fired the weapon, taking his life almost instantly.

Dr. Hassed came to Lusk in 1917 from Springview, Nebraska. He opened a practice here in medicine and surgery and had been quite successful, having a wide clientiele from this trade area. He was active in civic and public affairs throughout his residence here, and served the state as State Health officer duing the administration of Gov. Frank Emerson. He had been county health officer at various times during his residence here and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.

Following the war Dr. Hassed took an active part in the national guard organization of the state and held a ranking commission until about a year ago when he resigned due to poor health. He was a World War veteran and a member of the American Legion.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, September 25, at the Peet Mortuary Chapel, with the Rev. M. H. Marshall in charge of the services. Hundreds of friends and neighbors from every part of the county were in attendace to pay their respects to Dr. Hassed who had contributed so greatly to the common good and welfare of the community and its people.

Dr. Hassed is survived by his wife, Mrs. Georgia Hassed and a daughter Ruth, who is employed in the State Health office at Cheyenne. A son, Harry preceded his father in death in 1938, taking his life at Lawton, Oklahoma. His mother and step-father reside at the family home in Springview, Nebraska. Dr. Walter H. Hassed was born at Baraboo, Wisconsin, July 2, 1884 and passed away at his home in Lusk Monday, Sept. 23, 1940, at the age of 56.

Dr. Hassed spent his early life in Nebraska and later studied medicine and surgery at the Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill.

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