Dr. Charles Henry Stange (1880-1936)

STANGE

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 3/21/2009 at 13:16:24

AMES DAILY TRIBUNE AND TIMES, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Monday, April 27, 1936.

DEAN STANGE OF IOWA STATE DIES

SUFFERS FATAL HEART ATTACK SUN. MORNING

Head Of Veterinary Medicine For 27 Years

A spirit of sadness prevailed on the Iowa State college campus Monday and the flag on central campus was at half mast, following the death of Charles Henry Stange, 55, dean of the veterinary medicine division for 27 years and one of the college's most outstanding graduates.

Dr. Stange died suddenly at 11:30 a. m. Sunday in the front yard of his home at 421 Ash avenue, death being attributed to coronary thrombosis. Coronary thrombosis is the medical term for the formation of a blood clot in one of the main arteries near the heart, the blood clot completely shutting off the flow of blood.

He had been talking to a neighbor, A. E. Stoddard, just a few minutes before he was found dead by another neighbor, W. P. Donald. Dr. Stange was digging dandelions in his front yard when he suffered the fatal attack.

Inhalator Used

Several physicians were called and the inhalator of the fire department was used, but to no avail.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Wednesday in Great hall of Memorial Union, with the Rev. Walter Barlow, pastor of the Collegiate Presbyterian church, and the Rev. Nelson P. Horn, director of religious life at Iowa State in charge. Burial will be in the college cemetery.

It had been planned early Monday that services would be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday but the day was changed when it was learned that a brother, F. W. Stange of Birmingham, Ala., could not arrive until Tuesday evening.

Classes Suspended

All class work at the college will be suspended during the services, it was reported Monday by Dr. C. E. Friley, president of Iowa State.

The following statement was made Monday by Dr. Friley in tribute to Dr. Stange:

"The death of Dr. Charles Henry Stange is a distinct loss to the college, to the state, and to the profession of veterinary medicine in general. A native of Iowa, member of a pioneer family, graduate of Iowa State College in the class of 1907, and dean of the division of veterinary medicine since 1909, Dr. Stange has been one of the most prominent and valued members of the college staff of the past three decades.

Clear Vision

"Thru his fine personality, his untiring efforts and his clear vision of the possibilities of his profession, Dr. Stange has brought the division of the veterinary medicine at Iowa State college to a position of definite leadership among the veterinary colleges of the nation. Graduates of the division are to be found throughout the world in positions of prominence and responsibility, both in teaching and in professional practice.

"Dr. Stange's early and consistent emphasis on high standards in the veterinary profession has been a leading factor in raising the level of college training in this field. Recently he began to emphasize the growing importance of research in veterinary medicine, particularly its close connection with human medicine, in such fields as public health.

Great Work

"The college mourns the loss of one of its noble sons. Everything possible will be done to carry forward in the most effective manner the great work to which he gave his life."

Dr. Stange was born on a farm in Cedar county May 21, 1880, the son of Claus and Sophie Stange, the former parent born in Denmark and the latter in Westphalia, Germany.

He was graduated from the Lowden high school in 1896 and from Iowa State college in 1907, at which time he received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree. After being with the United States bureau of animal industry from June to September, 1907, he took a year's post-graduate work at the University of Chicago.

Returns in 1908

In the fall of 1908 he returned to Iowa State to become a professor in veterinary medicine and acting dean of the division. He was named dean of the division in 1909.

During his administration the veterinary division grew from a small part of the college to a complete five-year course, recognized as one of the best in the country. In addition to organizing the work of the division he was active in the organization of the state biological laboratory and the veterinary research work at the college.

Cholera War

Dr. Stange was perhaps best known thruout the state for his efforts in organizing the state in his war against hog cholera. Swine deaths were reduced 93 percent thru the program of vaccination started by Dr. Stange.

In 1924, Dr. Stange served as president of the American Veterinary Medical association, and he was also a member of the United States Live Stock Sanitary association, the Iow Academy of Science, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi and Acacia, honorary and social fraternities. He was the author of a history of his division, published in 1929, the simi-centennial of its founding.

He was also a member of the Collegiate Presbyterian church, the Ames Golf and County club, Ames Rotary club and a Shriner. He is one of the Iowa State faculty members to be honored by listing in "Who's Who in America."

Pays Tribute

At the Rotary club luncheon Monday noon in the Sheldon-Munn hotel George Godfrey, director of agricultural relations at Iowa State, who recently made a trip into Wisconsin with Dr. Stange, paid tribune to Stange. Clay Stafford appointed a committee to draw up resolutions to be presented to the family.

Dean Stage's main hobby was woodwork, and he had made many attractive pieces of furniture in the workshop in the basement of his home.

Surviving him are his wife and two daughters, Elizabeth Jane and Jean; also two brothers, F. W. of Birmingham, Ala., and Herman of Maquoketa.

The death of Dr. Stange leaves three vacancies in the administration staff of Iowa State, dean of industrial science, dean of veterinary medicine and vice president.

Dr. Friley reported Monday noon that no action had been taken yet to name an acting dean in the veterinary division.

AMES DAILY TRIBUNE AND TIMES, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, April 30, 1936.

1100 PEOPLE AT STANGE FUNERAL

Pay Tribute To Dean Of Veterinary

More than 1,100 persons, students and graduates of Iowa State college and representatives of leading organizations in Iowa and nearby states, paid short but sincere tribute to Dr. C. H. Stange at the funeral services of the late dean of veterinary medicine Wednesday afternoon in the Great hall of Memorial Union.

Speaking from a stage covered with floral tributes, Dr. Nelson P. Horn, director or religious education at Iowa State, opened the service with a short scripture reading and prayer. Dr. C. E. Friley, president of Iowa State, spoke briefly on the contributions, made by Dr. Stange to the college, and the Rev. Walter Barlow, pastor of the Collegiate Presbyterian church, gave a short pastoral message and led the assembly in reciting the Lord's prayer. Short services were read at the grave in the college cemetery.

Pall bearers were C. H. Covault, H. D. Bergman, H. L. Foust, G. H. Fowler, F. E. Walsh, Charles Murray, E. A. Benbrook and L A. Merchant.

Among the many persons attending the service from out of town were the following: Dr. C. P. Fitch, chief of the veterinary medicine department at, the University of Minnesota; Ray Murray of Des Moines, state secretary of agriculture; H. C. Aaburg of Des Moines, assistant secretary of agriculture; J. P. Wallace of Des Moines and S. J. Galvin. of Sheffield, members of the state board of education.

Dr. N. S. Mayo of Chicago, representative of the American Veterinary Medical association; Dr. D. M. Campbell of Chicago, editor of "Veterinary Medicine," Dr. Harold Macy, dairy bacteriologist at the University of Minnesota; Dr. H. C. H. Kernkamp of the veterinary medicine department at the University of Minnesota; Dr. J. O. Price of Algona, representative of the United States bureau of animal industry.

Dr. Frank Breed, of the Nordern laboratories, Lincoln, Neb.; Dr. L. E. Willie, of the Allied laboratories, Sioux City; Dr. F. B. Shore, of the Ft. Dodge Serum company; Dr. C. E. Cotton, chief of the Minnesota state bureau of animal industry.

Dr. C. N. McBryde of Ames represented the federal bureau of animal industry. He is in charge of the bureau's field station here.