Hegg, Lester Dr. 1897-1967

HEGG, ERICKSON

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/8/2012 at 05:32:00

Rock Valley Bee of May 5, 1967

Rock Valley this week mourned one of its most prominent citizens --Dr. Lester Hegg, who passed away Sunday in a Sioux City hospital; He had been ill for several years, but had continued to practice medicine whenever his health would permit.

Dr. Hegg has served the Rock Valley area faithfully since coming here in 1933. Much of that time he was the only physician in the community and he worked long hours to keep up with the demands of the area. A legend in his own lifetime,he lived to see much of the Hegg Memorial Hospital here completed a monument to Dr. Hegg and mute evidence of the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was the first person to be named Rock Valley Man of the Year. Dr. Hegg's leisure hours were very limited but when time afforded he enjoyed golf and spectator sports.

(Most recent available picture of Dr. Hegg.in the paper issue).

Lester Hegg was born on a farm near Harmony; Minn., on November 4, 1897;: He was 69 years old at the time of his death. He was baptized, and confirmed in the Greenfield Lutheran church of Harmony, where he attended grade and high school. He received his B.A. at Luther College, Decorah and his Master of Science at the University of North Dakota. He finished his medical training and received his degree at the University of Chicago in 1930.

Dr. Hegg-served his internship, at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Leaving there in 1932 he worked for a short period with the clinic examining Indians on reservation in South Dakota. Hegg was a member of the Alpha Kappa Kappe Medical Fraternity and the Iowa and County Medical Associations. He was a former member of the Rock Valley rotary Club. Dr. Hegg was married to Palma Erickson on June 16, 1926.

He is survived by his wife Palma and two sons, Horace D; of Hudson, Iowa and Peer S. of Hacienda Heights, Calif. Several grandchildren and one brother,Clarence Hegg of Harmony, Minn., also survive.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at the First Reformed Church here with Rev. Alfred Kaupins of Our Saviors Lutheran Church officiating. Music was by Mrs. George H. Van Beek, organist and Kerlon Vander Schaaf, Dr. Orvin Mou Clarence Mulder and Sam VerHoef. .
Pallbearers were John Smith, Kenneth Hansen, Clayton Aren Russel Simonsen, Gene Bunch and Dr. C.J. Schroeder. Interment was in Greenfield Lutheran Cemetery, Harmony. Minn. Wednesday morning. Arrangements were by Porter Funeral Home.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Hegg Memorial Hospital inRock Valley.