Claussen, Bruce F.

Notes:

Died:

The following is a transcription supplied by Frances Gretchen (Klein) Leenerts of an obituary for Bruce F. Claussen. Gretchen Leenerts reported that the obituary had appeared on 4 March 1997 in the North Platte Telegraph, of North Platte, Nebraska.

     Bruce F. Claussen, 71, of North Platte died 1 March 1997 at his home. He was born 12 June 1925 at Omaha to Reuben J. and F. Louise Fiegenbaum Claussen. He moved with his family to North Platte in 1926, attending schools here and graduating from North Platte High School with the class of 1943. During World War II he served in the U. S. Army with the 192nd General Hospital in England. Following his discharge, he returned to attend the University of Nebraska Medical School, from which he graduated in 1952. He served his internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at Herman Hospital in Houston. On 3 December 1955 he married Georgann Wythers at Lincoln. In 1958 he opened his orthopaedic practice in North Platte, which he worked in until his retirement in 1985. Following his retirement, he continued as a medical consultant doing orthopaedic evaluations until the time of his death. Dr. Claussen was active in numerous civic affairs all of his life. He served as chairman of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Committee and was on the Nebraskaland Days Board and was a member of the Cody Calvary. He received the Dale Studley Memorial Award, the Trail Boss Award and the Cody Scouts Award. He also received a special commendation award from the Rodeo Committee. An original organizer of Rodeo 100, he was a member of the Friends of Buffalo Bill and a contributing member of the Living History Program. "Dr. Claussen was a real historian as far as the Buffalo Bill Rodeo is concerned," said Melvin Hill, chair of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Committee. "Any time I needed information, I went to Doc Claussen." Nebraskaland Days benefited from Claussen's historical interests too. "Probably 99 percent of the memorabilia Nebraskaland Days has is thanks to Dr. Claussen," said Sharon Hambek, Nebraskaland Days Executive Director. Dr. Claussen, riding a white horse, was a familiar sight in many Nebraskaland Days parades and rodeo grand entries during the 1970s and early 1980s. Dr. Claussen also served on the board of the Chamber of Commerce. In the medical profession, he served as Chief of Staff at various times at St. Mary and Memorial Hospitals and Great Plains Regional Medical Center. He compiled a history of the hospitals in North Platte and was an avid supporter of the one-hospital concept in North Platte. "After retiring from hospital practice, he spent many hours trying to formulate a good, complete history of the hospitals in North Platte," said Dr. Gerald Rounsborg. Claussen was the only orthopaedic surgeon in North Platte for many years, Rounsborg said, and was highly regarded. "He was truly a fine surgeon and always had the community's interests at heart. He was willing to help whenever anything needed to be done in the community. He will be sorely missed," Rounsborg said. A member of First Presbyterian Church since 5 April 1936, Claussen had served as an elder. His professional memberships included the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Clinical Orthopaedic Society, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Mid Central States Orthopaedic Society, the Orthopaedic Letters Society and the American Medical Association. Between internship and residency, he was a staff officer in the United States Coast Guard, serving as chief surgeon on the SS America and the SS Santa Rosa. He was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega and Nu Sigma Nu fraternities. Other memberships included the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lincoln County Historical Society. Surviving him are his wife; two sons, Richard J. (Ginna) of Lincoln and William F. (Jackie) of Liberty, Missouri; three grandchildren, Richard, Bruce and Carly; a brother Richard of Englewood, Colorado and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Gerald Reuben Claussen, in 1984. Memorials have been established to the American Cancer Society, North Platte Chapter, or to the Home Health Hospice program at Great Plains Regional Medical Center. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Virgil Taylor officiating. Pallbearers will be Melvin Hill, James Schneider, Chris Mabbutt, Richard Satterfield, Dr. David Johnston and Dr. Gerald Rounsborg. The casket will not be open. Private family committal services will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. today at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.

Bruce married Wythers, Georgann 3 Dec 1955, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA. Georgann (daughter of Wythers, Roy and Westgate, JoAnn) was born 27 May 1927, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA; died 9 Dec 1999, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA; was buried 14 Dec 1999, North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

Richard married Allen, Virginia Bernise [Group Sheet]

William married Carlile, Jacqueline [Group Sheet]