Gleysteen, Dirk J., 1881-1946

GLEYSTEEN, GREENE, GREEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/3/2011 at 21:21:55

DR. D. J. GLEYSTEEN ALTON PHYSICIAN DIES SUDDENLY

Dr. D. J. Gleysteen, 65, a native of Alton, who had practiced medicine here since 1908, died suddenly at his home Saturday afternoon, May 4, after an illness of many years.

Dr. Gleysteen, widely known as "Mr. Dick," was born in the depot cottage at Alton on January 29, 1881, the son of the late John and Helena Gleysteen. He was graduated from the Alton High School in 1896, from the Northwestern Academy in 1897 and from Grinnell College in 1901. He attended Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1905. Following a year of internship at Passavant Hospital, he practised at Sheldon for a year and a half before returning to Alton.

Dr. Gleysteen married Grace Greene, of Columbus, Ohio, November 8, 1910. Two sons were born to this couple, Leland, now a research chemist of Phillips, Texas, and Rodney, a Commander in the U.S. Navy, now stationed at Palo Alto, California.

A wide territory around Alton was covered by Dr. Gleysteen's practice and he was a familiar figure at Sioux City and LeMars hospitals. For many years he was local surgeon for the Northwestern and Omaha railways and he was also health officer for the town of Alton. He was a member of the Sioux County, Northwest Iowa, Iowa State, and American Medical Associations, and of Phi Beta Pi medical fraternity. Dr. Gleysteen was associated in the practice of medicine with Dr. R. W. Cooper from 1926 to 1936, and with Dr. C. B. Murphy since 1935. Dr. Rodney Gleysteen was associated with his father and Dr. Murphy from 1939 until he was called to active duty in the Naval Medical Corps in 1941.

An active participant in civic affairs, Dr. Gleysteen was a member of the Alton School Board for many years and was a Trustee of the Presbyterian church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church Tuesday afternoon with the Reverend Henry Eggink officiating. Burial was in the Nassau Township cemetery.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Grace G. Gleysteen; the two sons, Leland and Rodney; and three grandchildren, Janet, Judith and Marian Gleysteen. A brother, J. C. Gleysteen, and a sister, Sya Gleysteen Donahoe, preceded Dr. Gleysteen in death in 1943; another sister, Sya Anna Gleysteen, died in infancy.

Leland Gleysteen arrived in Sioux City by plane from Texas Sunday noon and came to Alton by train, while Cmdr. Rod. Gleysteen flew to Omaha from California and was met there by his cousin, John Gleysteen of Sioux City, who brought him to Alton by car. Mrs. Gleysteen's sister, Miss Winifred Greene of Columbus, Ohio also joined the family.

Present at the services were a group of doctors and associates, including Dr. Null of Hawarden, Drs. Doornink, Grossmann and Buschmer of Orange City, Dr. Galman of Hospers, Drs. Downing, O'Toole, Vander Stoep, Joynt, LeMars, Dr. and Mrs. Williams of Lake Crystal, Minn.

Many other friends from neighboring towns came to pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Gleysteen, whose life has been a remarkable record of faithful and able service to the community and territory. When he was stricken fourteen years ago with what was expected to be a fatal heart attack, the specialists called gave him only a few years of invalidism to live. But in spite of this verdict he recovered and has since lived a reasonably active life, having been at his office only a week before his sudden passing.

Source: Alton Democrat, May 9, 1946.

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DR. DIRK J. GLEYSTEEN

Alton: Dr. D. J. Gleysteen died suddenly late Saturday afternoon, May 4, at his home. He had been home all week as he had not been feeling well. He had suffered with a heart ailment for the past fourteen years.

Dr. Gleysteen was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Gleysteen, and was born in Alton on January 29, 1881. After completing his internship, he practiced medicine in Sheldon for a few years, and since then had his office in Alton. He was united in marriage in October, 1910 to Miss Grace Green of Columbus, Ohio. Two sons were born to this union, Leland and Rodney, who with their mother survive. There are three granddaughters, children of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Gleysteen of Amarillo, Texas. Dr. Rodney Gleysteen is still in the service, and is at present at Stanford University in California.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday at the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. Rev. H. Eggink officiated. Interment was at Nassau Township cemetery.

Source: Sioux County Capital, May 9, 1946.