Dr. W. B. Sperow (1897-1960)

SPEROW, RODGERS, BOTKIN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/25/2022 at 19:11:19

From Nevada Journal July 8, 1960 (page 1)

Dr. W. B. Sperow Dies Suddenly

W. B. Sperow, a Nevada physician for 35 years, died suddenly at his home at 716 Sixth Street at 10 p. m. yesterday, victim of a heart attack.

Sperow was a native of Carlisle, Iowa, the son of Dr. and Mrs. William Edgar Sperow. As a youth he rove horses for his father on the long trips of rural medical practice.

He graduated from Carlisle High School in 1915 and attended Simpson College from 1915 to 1918. He played first violin in the Simpson orchestra.

As World War I approached, Sperow enrolled as a freshman in the University of Iowa med. school and joined the ROTC. His unit was ready to go overseas when the armistice was signed.

He graduated in Medicine from SUI in 1922 and on June 20 of that same year he married Miss Lola V. Rodgers, a Junior Nurse in the hospital.

He interned at the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines and then entered practice with two doctors in Des Moines.

Dr. Sperow moved to Nevada in September of 1925 and bought Dr. Cowgill's office equipment.

In 1942 Dr. Sperow entered the armed service as Commander in the Navy Medical Corps and served for three and a half years in California and in the South Pacific.

Active in community affairs, Dr. Sperow served on the local school boar for 12 years, took part in Scout work, was director of the Nevada Federal Savings and Loan Assn., a member of the American Legion, the 20th Century Club, and the County, State and National Societies of Medicine.

His medical practice made a permanent impression on the community in which he served so long. He delivered more than 1000 babies, wore out a score of automobiles on calls, and drove horses and bobsleds back in the dawn of his practice here. Last summer he turned out alone to inoculate more than 400 Nevadans in a free polio clinic.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, one son, Dr. William B. Sperow of Burlington; two grandchildren, Crystal Ann and William Dale Sperow; and a sister, Mrs. Virginia Botkin of Indianola.

Funeral services will be at the Ryan Funeral Home Monday afternoon at 2 with the Rev. Robert Spencer officiating. Burial will be in the Nevada cemetery.

A memorial fund ahs been established.