DEATH OF PROMINENT SPECIALIST
The Tippecanoe County Medical Society suffered the loss of one of its most valued members and the Lafayette community in general the services of a well known eye, ear, nose and throat specialist as well as enthusiastic civic worker, in the passing of Dr. George F. Keiper, who was found dead in bed at his home on Thursday morning, March 18th. Death is attributed to a stroke of apoplexy.
The sudden demise of the noted and highly esteemed medical specialist was a distinct shock to a legion of friends and acquaintances throughout the county and state. Although not feeling well for several days previous, Dr. Keiper had been about his hospital duties and office work as usual, and his illness was not considered more than a passing indisposition. When he failed to appear for breakfast at his usual time Thursday morning it was believed by his housekeeper, Miss Hannah Strantz that he was merely sleeping late. She became alarmed, however, an hour later and called the houseman, who discovered Dr. Keiper dead in bed. Dr. George K. Throckmorton, whom Dr. Keiper had consulted upon several recent occasions, was summoned and stated the belief that death had occurred about midnight.
Dr. Keiper, who was widely known as an authority on diseases of eye, ear, nose and throat, was a native of Lafayette, having been born in that city March 26, 1866. He was the son of one of the community’s pioneer physicians, Dr. Christian Butz Keiper and Mary Ann Fleming Keiper. Receiving his early education in the public schools of Lafayette, he later attended and graduated in 1887 from DePauw University. Subsequently he became a student at the University of Michigan where he was awarded a master’s degree from the department of medicine and surgery in 1890. He also attained an M.D. degree and later did post-graduate work in London and Vienna in 1913. He received his Indiana license in 1890.
The history of the success and growth of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette, is in no small measure attributed to Dr. Keiper’s close friendship and staunch support of the institution, of which he was a staff member for thirty-five years. He assisted in organizing the present nurses’ training school and was a lecturer in the school for many years. He also was a member of the staff of St. Anthony’s Home, the Lafayette Home Hospital, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, the Children’s Home and the Indiana State Soldiers’ Home. In addition Dr. Keiper was eye, ear, nose and throat specialist for the Monon and Nickel Plate railroads and consulting specialist for the Wabash Valley sanitarium.
From 1891 until 1925, Dr. Keiper served as expert eye and ear examiner for the bureau of pensions department of interior. When soldiers were stationed at Purdue University during the World War, he was in charge of eye, ear, nose and throat work at the military camp. He also was a member of the Indiana Council of Defense, the Red Cross Commission and chairman of the Tippecanoe County Advisory Board.
Dr. Keiper was greatly interested in educational activities, having served as a member of the Lafayette School Board from 1915-1918, and as a trustee of DePauw University from 1898 to 1925. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmological and Otolaryngological Society of which he served as vice-president in 1898-99, and chairman in 1910-11. He also held the office of vice-president of the American Medical Association in 1917, and served a term as president of the Indiana State Medical Association and held similar office in the Tippecanoe County Medical Association.
Fraternally, Dr. Keiper was active in a number of organizations. He was a 32nd degree Mason, having joined Lafayette Lodge, F. and A. M. in November 1890. Masonry to him was as much a science as his own profession and to it he devoted much study. He also was deeply interested in DeMolay work. As a member of Trinity M. E. church, he served for a number of years upon the official board of the parish and was a stockholder in the Battle Ground Camp Meeting Association. He was one of the oldest members of the Lafayette Rotary Club and his life was a living example of the Rotary motto “He profits most who serves best”. He also belonged to the Lincoln Club for many years and to Phi Delta Theta national fraternity and the Acacia fraternity at Purdue. Politically, Dr. Keiper was a member of the Republican party and took an active part in activities of the organization.
Recognized by his associates as one of the most able specialists in his line in the country, Dr. Keiper held high the ethics of the profession. His pleasing personality endeared him to a wide circle of friends and in his civic efforts he always held the needs of the community above his own personal requirements.
United in marriage July 9, 1890, to Miss Mary Alma Lloyd, of this city. Dr. and Mrs. Keiper were the parents of two children, Mrs. Margaret Lloyd Dailey, of Chillicothe, Mo., and Dr. George F. Keiper, Jr., of Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Keiper died Marcy 9, 1920, and Dr. Keiper never fully recovered from the sad blow. Surviving besides the son and daughter is a brother, Frank Keiper, of Rochester N.Y., and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Meacham, of Danville Ky.
Hundreds of friends called at the Keiper home to view the remains and also at Trinity M.E. church where the body lay in state for several hours preceding the funeral services, which were conducted on Monday afternoon, March 22nd. The attendance at the funeral taxed the capacity of the auditorium. Special groups of seats were reserved for members of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, the Rotary Club and Knights Templars. Short talks were given by Dr. W. W. Sweet of DePauw University, and Rev. T. F. Williams, while prayers and scripture readings were given by Dr. Frank K. Dougherty, of Lafayette, and Rev. George W. Switzer, of St. Joe, Mich.
The pallbearers were: Active, Dr. F. S. Crockett, Dr. George K. Throckmorton, Dr. Earl Van Reed, Dr. Charles Hupe, Dr. E. C. Davidson, Samuel Souders, Paul E. Thompson and Clarence P. White. Honorary: Dr. George F. Beasley, Dr. W. R. Moffitt, George R. Durgan, Dean Stanley Coulter, Levi Oppenheimer, O. W. Campbell and Charles C. Pyke. The Knights Templars conducted their ritualistic ceremonies at the burial in Springvale cemetery.
A beautiful tribute to Dr. Keiper was issued by the Sisters of St. Francis of St. Elizabeth Hospital. It follows:
“The Angel of Death has come in the stillness of the night to our much beloved Dr. George Frederick Keiper.
The news of his demise was a great shock and profound sorrow filled our hearts upon learning that death had claimed one who has been our most loyal and staunch friend and advisor. His every thought and energy was directed toward alleviation of suffering, assisting the poor and needy and laboring arduously and unselfishly in behalf of public welfare.
His guiding hand has assisted in steering our hospital over shoals and difficulties to progress and success. We realize the debt of gratitude we owe him, yet words cannot express the sentiments of our inmost soul and therefore we shall only exclaim:
May Almighty God be his reward exceeding great. May our Heavenly Father console his devoted children in their sad bereavement.”
“SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS,
St. Elizabeth Hospital”
Significant of the high esteem in which Dr. Keiper was held, a special guest night dinner of the Lafayette Rotary Club was cancelled and, instead, a memorial service in honor of the deceased was held. Addressed during the memorial program were given by Dr. George K. Throckmorton, who recalled Dr. Keiper’s life as a physician; Dr. T. F. Williams, pastor of Trinity M. E. church, who spoke on Dr. Keiper’s religious life, and Dean Stanley Coulter, of Purdue University who paid eloquent tribute to Dr. Keiper as a Rotarian. Several musical numbers in keeping with the event concluded the program. Dr. Keiper served as second president of the Lafayette Rotary Club.
Journal of the Indiana State Medical Association. Vol 19:no.1-12(1926) pgs 175-178. Retrieved from https://archive.org/ by V. Sprengel 2Nov2018
Contributor: vicki sakel sprengel (46917628)
The Tippecanoe County Medical Society suffered the loss of one of its most valued members and the Lafayette community in general the services of a well known eye, ear, nose and throat specialist as well as enthusiastic civic worker, in the passing of Dr. George F. Keiper, who was found dead in bed at his home on Thursday morning, March 18th. Death is attributed to a stroke of apoplexy.
The sudden demise of the noted and highly esteemed medical specialist was a distinct shock to a legion of friends and acquaintances throughout the county and state. Although not feeling well for several days previous, Dr. Keiper had been about his hospital duties and office work as usual, and his illness was not considered more than a passing indisposition. When he failed to appear for breakfast at his usual time Thursday morning it was believed by his housekeeper, Miss Hannah Strantz that he was merely sleeping late. She became alarmed, however, an hour later and called the houseman, who discovered Dr. Keiper dead in bed. Dr. George K. Throckmorton, whom Dr. Keiper had consulted upon several recent occasions, was summoned and stated the belief that death had occurred about midnight.
Dr. Keiper, who was widely known as an authority on diseases of eye, ear, nose and throat, was a native of Lafayette, having been born in that city March 26, 1866. He was the son of one of the community’s pioneer physicians, Dr. Christian Butz Keiper and Mary Ann Fleming Keiper. Receiving his early education in the public schools of Lafayette, he later attended and graduated in 1887 from DePauw University. Subsequently he became a student at the University of Michigan where he was awarded a master’s degree from the department of medicine and surgery in 1890. He also attained an M.D. degree and later did post-graduate work in London and Vienna in 1913. He received his Indiana license in 1890.
The history of the success and growth of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette, is in no small measure attributed to Dr. Keiper’s close friendship and staunch support of the institution, of which he was a staff member for thirty-five years. He assisted in organizing the present nurses’ training school and was a lecturer in the school for many years. He also was a member of the staff of St. Anthony’s Home, the Lafayette Home Hospital, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, the Children’s Home and the Indiana State Soldiers’ Home. In addition Dr. Keiper was eye, ear, nose and throat specialist for the Monon and Nickel Plate railroads and consulting specialist for the Wabash Valley sanitarium.
From 1891 until 1925, Dr. Keiper served as expert eye and ear examiner for the bureau of pensions department of interior. When soldiers were stationed at Purdue University during the World War, he was in charge of eye, ear, nose and throat work at the military camp. He also was a member of the Indiana Council of Defense, the Red Cross Commission and chairman of the Tippecanoe County Advisory Board.
Dr. Keiper was greatly interested in educational activities, having served as a member of the Lafayette School Board from 1915-1918, and as a trustee of DePauw University from 1898 to 1925. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmological and Otolaryngological Society of which he served as vice-president in 1898-99, and chairman in 1910-11. He also held the office of vice-president of the American Medical Association in 1917, and served a term as president of the Indiana State Medical Association and held similar office in the Tippecanoe County Medical Association.
Fraternally, Dr. Keiper was active in a number of organizations. He was a 32nd degree Mason, having joined Lafayette Lodge, F. and A. M. in November 1890. Masonry to him was as much a science as his own profession and to it he devoted much study. He also was deeply interested in DeMolay work. As a member of Trinity M. E. church, he served for a number of years upon the official board of the parish and was a stockholder in the Battle Ground Camp Meeting Association. He was one of the oldest members of the Lafayette Rotary Club and his life was a living example of the Rotary motto “He profits most who serves best”. He also belonged to the Lincoln Club for many years and to Phi Delta Theta national fraternity and the Acacia fraternity at Purdue. Politically, Dr. Keiper was a member of the Republican party and took an active part in activities of the organization.
Recognized by his associates as one of the most able specialists in his line in the country, Dr. Keiper held high the ethics of the profession. His pleasing personality endeared him to a wide circle of friends and in his civic efforts he always held the needs of the community above his own personal requirements.
United in marriage July 9, 1890, to Miss Mary Alma Lloyd, of this city. Dr. and Mrs. Keiper were the parents of two children, Mrs. Margaret Lloyd Dailey, of Chillicothe, Mo., and Dr. George F. Keiper, Jr., of Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Keiper died Marcy 9, 1920, and Dr. Keiper never fully recovered from the sad blow. Surviving besides the son and daughter is a brother, Frank Keiper, of Rochester N.Y., and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Meacham, of Danville Ky.
Hundreds of friends called at the Keiper home to view the remains and also at Trinity M.E. church where the body lay in state for several hours preceding the funeral services, which were conducted on Monday afternoon, March 22nd. The attendance at the funeral taxed the capacity of the auditorium. Special groups of seats were reserved for members of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, the Rotary Club and Knights Templars. Short talks were given by Dr. W. W. Sweet of DePauw University, and Rev. T. F. Williams, while prayers and scripture readings were given by Dr. Frank K. Dougherty, of Lafayette, and Rev. George W. Switzer, of St. Joe, Mich.
The pallbearers were: Active, Dr. F. S. Crockett, Dr. George K. Throckmorton, Dr. Earl Van Reed, Dr. Charles Hupe, Dr. E. C. Davidson, Samuel Souders, Paul E. Thompson and Clarence P. White. Honorary: Dr. George F. Beasley, Dr. W. R. Moffitt, George R. Durgan, Dean Stanley Coulter, Levi Oppenheimer, O. W. Campbell and Charles C. Pyke. The Knights Templars conducted their ritualistic ceremonies at the burial in Springvale cemetery.
A beautiful tribute to Dr. Keiper was issued by the Sisters of St. Francis of St. Elizabeth Hospital. It follows:
“The Angel of Death has come in the stillness of the night to our much beloved Dr. George Frederick Keiper.
The news of his demise was a great shock and profound sorrow filled our hearts upon learning that death had claimed one who has been our most loyal and staunch friend and advisor. His every thought and energy was directed toward alleviation of suffering, assisting the poor and needy and laboring arduously and unselfishly in behalf of public welfare.
His guiding hand has assisted in steering our hospital over shoals and difficulties to progress and success. We realize the debt of gratitude we owe him, yet words cannot express the sentiments of our inmost soul and therefore we shall only exclaim:
May Almighty God be his reward exceeding great. May our Heavenly Father console his devoted children in their sad bereavement.”
“SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS,
St. Elizabeth Hospital”
Significant of the high esteem in which Dr. Keiper was held, a special guest night dinner of the Lafayette Rotary Club was cancelled and, instead, a memorial service in honor of the deceased was held. Addressed during the memorial program were given by Dr. George K. Throckmorton, who recalled Dr. Keiper’s life as a physician; Dr. T. F. Williams, pastor of Trinity M. E. church, who spoke on Dr. Keiper’s religious life, and Dean Stanley Coulter, of Purdue University who paid eloquent tribute to Dr. Keiper as a Rotarian. Several musical numbers in keeping with the event concluded the program. Dr. Keiper served as second president of the Lafayette Rotary Club.
Journal of the Indiana State Medical Association. Vol 19:no.1-12(1926) pgs 175-178. Retrieved from https://archive.org/ by V. Sprengel 2Nov2018
Contributor: vicki sakel sprengel (46917628)
DEATH OF PROMINENT SPECIALIST
The Tippecanoe County Medical Society suffered the loss of one of its most valued members and the Lafayette community in general the services of a well known eye, ear, nose and throat specialist as well as enthusiastic civic worker, in the passing of Dr. George F. Keiper, who was found dead in bed at his home on Thursday morning, March 18th. Death is attributed to a stroke of apoplexy.
The sudden demise of the noted and highly esteemed medical specialist was a distinct shock to a legion of friends and acquaintances throughout the county and state. Although not feeling well for several days previous, Dr. Keiper had been about his hospital duties and office work as usual, and his illness was not considered more than a passing indisposition. When he failed to appear for breakfast at his usual time Thursday morning it was believed by his housekeeper, Miss Hannah Strantz that he was merely sleeping late. She became alarmed, however, an hour later and called the houseman, who discovered Dr. Keiper dead in bed. Dr. George K. Throckmorton, whom Dr. Keiper had consulted upon several recent occasions, was summoned and stated the belief that death had occurred about midnight.
Dr. Keiper, who was widely known as an authority on diseases of eye, ear, nose and throat, was a native of Lafayette, having been born in that city March 26, 1866. He was the son of one of the community’s pioneer physicians, Dr. Christian Butz Keiper and Mary Ann Fleming Keiper. Receiving his early education in the public schools of Lafayette, he later attended and graduated in 1887 from DePauw University. Subsequently he became a student at the University of Michigan where he was awarded a master’s degree from the department of medicine and surgery in 1890. He also attained an M.D. degree and later did post-graduate work in London and Vienna in 1913. He received his Indiana license in 1890.
The history of the success and growth of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette, is in no small measure attributed to Dr. Keiper’s close friendship and staunch support of the institution, of which he was a staff member for thirty-five years. He assisted in organizing the present nurses’ training school and was a lecturer in the school for many years. He also was a member of the staff of St. Anthony’s Home, the Lafayette Home Hospital, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, the Children’s Home and the Indiana State Soldiers’ Home. In addition Dr. Keiper was eye, ear, nose and throat specialist for the Monon and Nickel Plate railroads and consulting specialist for the Wabash Valley sanitarium.
From 1891 until 1925, Dr. Keiper served as expert eye and ear examiner for the bureau of pensions department of interior. When soldiers were stationed at Purdue University during the World War, he was in charge of eye, ear, nose and throat work at the military camp. He also was a member of the Indiana Council of Defense, the Red Cross Commission and chairman of the Tippecanoe County Advisory Board.
Dr. Keiper was greatly interested in educational activities, having served as a member of the Lafayette School Board from 1915-1918, and as a trustee of DePauw University from 1898 to 1925. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmological and Otolaryngological Society of which he served as vice-president in 1898-99, and chairman in 1910-11. He also held the office of vice-president of the American Medical Association in 1917, and served a term as president of the Indiana State Medical Association and held similar office in the Tippecanoe County Medical Association.
Fraternally, Dr. Keiper was active in a number of organizations. He was a 32nd degree Mason, having joined Lafayette Lodge, F. and A. M. in November 1890. Masonry to him was as much a science as his own profession and to it he devoted much study. He also was deeply interested in DeMolay work. As a member of Trinity M. E. church, he served for a number of years upon the official board of the parish and was a stockholder in the Battle Ground Camp Meeting Association. He was one of the oldest members of the Lafayette Rotary Club and his life was a living example of the Rotary motto “He profits most who serves best”. He also belonged to the Lincoln Club for many years and to Phi Delta Theta national fraternity and the Acacia fraternity at Purdue. Politically, Dr. Keiper was a member of the Republican party and took an active part in activities of the organization.
Recognized by his associates as one of the most able specialists in his line in the country, Dr. Keiper held high the ethics of the profession. His pleasing personality endeared him to a wide circle of friends and in his civic efforts he always held the needs of the community above his own personal requirements.
United in marriage July 9, 1890, to Miss Mary Alma Lloyd, of this city. Dr. and Mrs. Keiper were the parents of two children, Mrs. Margaret Lloyd Dailey, of Chillicothe, Mo., and Dr. George F. Keiper, Jr., of Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Keiper died Marcy 9, 1920, and Dr. Keiper never fully recovered from the sad blow. Surviving besides the son and daughter is a brother, Frank Keiper, of Rochester N.Y., and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Meacham, of Danville Ky.
Hundreds of friends called at the Keiper home to view the remains and also at Trinity M.E. church where the body lay in state for several hours preceding the funeral services, which were conducted on Monday afternoon, March 22nd. The attendance at the funeral taxed the capacity of the auditorium. Special groups of seats were reserved for members of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, the Rotary Club and Knights Templars. Short talks were given by Dr. W. W. Sweet of DePauw University, and Rev. T. F. Williams, while prayers and scripture readings were given by Dr. Frank K. Dougherty, of Lafayette, and Rev. George W. Switzer, of St. Joe, Mich.
The pallbearers were: Active, Dr. F. S. Crockett, Dr. George K. Throckmorton, Dr. Earl Van Reed, Dr. Charles Hupe, Dr. E. C. Davidson, Samuel Souders, Paul E. Thompson and Clarence P. White. Honorary: Dr. George F. Beasley, Dr. W. R. Moffitt, George R. Durgan, Dean Stanley Coulter, Levi Oppenheimer, O. W. Campbell and Charles C. Pyke. The Knights Templars conducted their ritualistic ceremonies at the burial in Springvale cemetery.
A beautiful tribute to Dr. Keiper was issued by the Sisters of St. Francis of St. Elizabeth Hospital. It follows:
“The Angel of Death has come in the stillness of the night to our much beloved Dr. George Frederick Keiper.
The news of his demise was a great shock and profound sorrow filled our hearts upon learning that death had claimed one who has been our most loyal and staunch friend and advisor. His every thought and energy was directed toward alleviation of suffering, assisting the poor and needy and laboring arduously and unselfishly in behalf of public welfare.
His guiding hand has assisted in steering our hospital over shoals and difficulties to progress and success. We realize the debt of gratitude we owe him, yet words cannot express the sentiments of our inmost soul and therefore we shall only exclaim:
May Almighty God be his reward exceeding great. May our Heavenly Father console his devoted children in their sad bereavement.”
“SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS,
St. Elizabeth Hospital”
Significant of the high esteem in which Dr. Keiper was held, a special guest night dinner of the Lafayette Rotary Club was cancelled and, instead, a memorial service in honor of the deceased was held. Addressed during the memorial program were given by Dr. George K. Throckmorton, who recalled Dr. Keiper’s life as a physician; Dr. T. F. Williams, pastor of Trinity M. E. church, who spoke on Dr. Keiper’s religious life, and Dean Stanley Coulter, of Purdue University who paid eloquent tribute to Dr. Keiper as a Rotarian. Several musical numbers in keeping with the event concluded the program. Dr. Keiper served as second president of the Lafayette Rotary Club.
Journal of the Indiana State Medical Association. Vol 19:no.1-12(1926) pgs 175-178. Retrieved from https://archive.org/ by V. Sprengel 2Nov2018
Contributor: vicki sakel sprengel (46917628)
The Tippecanoe County Medical Society suffered the loss of one of its most valued members and the Lafayette community in general the services of a well known eye, ear, nose and throat specialist as well as enthusiastic civic worker, in the passing of Dr. George F. Keiper, who was found dead in bed at his home on Thursday morning, March 18th. Death is attributed to a stroke of apoplexy.
The sudden demise of the noted and highly esteemed medical specialist was a distinct shock to a legion of friends and acquaintances throughout the county and state. Although not feeling well for several days previous, Dr. Keiper had been about his hospital duties and office work as usual, and his illness was not considered more than a passing indisposition. When he failed to appear for breakfast at his usual time Thursday morning it was believed by his housekeeper, Miss Hannah Strantz that he was merely sleeping late. She became alarmed, however, an hour later and called the houseman, who discovered Dr. Keiper dead in bed. Dr. George K. Throckmorton, whom Dr. Keiper had consulted upon several recent occasions, was summoned and stated the belief that death had occurred about midnight.
Dr. Keiper, who was widely known as an authority on diseases of eye, ear, nose and throat, was a native of Lafayette, having been born in that city March 26, 1866. He was the son of one of the community’s pioneer physicians, Dr. Christian Butz Keiper and Mary Ann Fleming Keiper. Receiving his early education in the public schools of Lafayette, he later attended and graduated in 1887 from DePauw University. Subsequently he became a student at the University of Michigan where he was awarded a master’s degree from the department of medicine and surgery in 1890. He also attained an M.D. degree and later did post-graduate work in London and Vienna in 1913. He received his Indiana license in 1890.
The history of the success and growth of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette, is in no small measure attributed to Dr. Keiper’s close friendship and staunch support of the institution, of which he was a staff member for thirty-five years. He assisted in organizing the present nurses’ training school and was a lecturer in the school for many years. He also was a member of the staff of St. Anthony’s Home, the Lafayette Home Hospital, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, the Children’s Home and the Indiana State Soldiers’ Home. In addition Dr. Keiper was eye, ear, nose and throat specialist for the Monon and Nickel Plate railroads and consulting specialist for the Wabash Valley sanitarium.
From 1891 until 1925, Dr. Keiper served as expert eye and ear examiner for the bureau of pensions department of interior. When soldiers were stationed at Purdue University during the World War, he was in charge of eye, ear, nose and throat work at the military camp. He also was a member of the Indiana Council of Defense, the Red Cross Commission and chairman of the Tippecanoe County Advisory Board.
Dr. Keiper was greatly interested in educational activities, having served as a member of the Lafayette School Board from 1915-1918, and as a trustee of DePauw University from 1898 to 1925. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmological and Otolaryngological Society of which he served as vice-president in 1898-99, and chairman in 1910-11. He also held the office of vice-president of the American Medical Association in 1917, and served a term as president of the Indiana State Medical Association and held similar office in the Tippecanoe County Medical Association.
Fraternally, Dr. Keiper was active in a number of organizations. He was a 32nd degree Mason, having joined Lafayette Lodge, F. and A. M. in November 1890. Masonry to him was as much a science as his own profession and to it he devoted much study. He also was deeply interested in DeMolay work. As a member of Trinity M. E. church, he served for a number of years upon the official board of the parish and was a stockholder in the Battle Ground Camp Meeting Association. He was one of the oldest members of the Lafayette Rotary Club and his life was a living example of the Rotary motto “He profits most who serves best”. He also belonged to the Lincoln Club for many years and to Phi Delta Theta national fraternity and the Acacia fraternity at Purdue. Politically, Dr. Keiper was a member of the Republican party and took an active part in activities of the organization.
Recognized by his associates as one of the most able specialists in his line in the country, Dr. Keiper held high the ethics of the profession. His pleasing personality endeared him to a wide circle of friends and in his civic efforts he always held the needs of the community above his own personal requirements.
United in marriage July 9, 1890, to Miss Mary Alma Lloyd, of this city. Dr. and Mrs. Keiper were the parents of two children, Mrs. Margaret Lloyd Dailey, of Chillicothe, Mo., and Dr. George F. Keiper, Jr., of Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Keiper died Marcy 9, 1920, and Dr. Keiper never fully recovered from the sad blow. Surviving besides the son and daughter is a brother, Frank Keiper, of Rochester N.Y., and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Meacham, of Danville Ky.
Hundreds of friends called at the Keiper home to view the remains and also at Trinity M.E. church where the body lay in state for several hours preceding the funeral services, which were conducted on Monday afternoon, March 22nd. The attendance at the funeral taxed the capacity of the auditorium. Special groups of seats were reserved for members of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, the Rotary Club and Knights Templars. Short talks were given by Dr. W. W. Sweet of DePauw University, and Rev. T. F. Williams, while prayers and scripture readings were given by Dr. Frank K. Dougherty, of Lafayette, and Rev. George W. Switzer, of St. Joe, Mich.
The pallbearers were: Active, Dr. F. S. Crockett, Dr. George K. Throckmorton, Dr. Earl Van Reed, Dr. Charles Hupe, Dr. E. C. Davidson, Samuel Souders, Paul E. Thompson and Clarence P. White. Honorary: Dr. George F. Beasley, Dr. W. R. Moffitt, George R. Durgan, Dean Stanley Coulter, Levi Oppenheimer, O. W. Campbell and Charles C. Pyke. The Knights Templars conducted their ritualistic ceremonies at the burial in Springvale cemetery.
A beautiful tribute to Dr. Keiper was issued by the Sisters of St. Francis of St. Elizabeth Hospital. It follows:
“The Angel of Death has come in the stillness of the night to our much beloved Dr. George Frederick Keiper.
The news of his demise was a great shock and profound sorrow filled our hearts upon learning that death had claimed one who has been our most loyal and staunch friend and advisor. His every thought and energy was directed toward alleviation of suffering, assisting the poor and needy and laboring arduously and unselfishly in behalf of public welfare.
His guiding hand has assisted in steering our hospital over shoals and difficulties to progress and success. We realize the debt of gratitude we owe him, yet words cannot express the sentiments of our inmost soul and therefore we shall only exclaim:
May Almighty God be his reward exceeding great. May our Heavenly Father console his devoted children in their sad bereavement.”
“SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS,
St. Elizabeth Hospital”
Significant of the high esteem in which Dr. Keiper was held, a special guest night dinner of the Lafayette Rotary Club was cancelled and, instead, a memorial service in honor of the deceased was held. Addressed during the memorial program were given by Dr. George K. Throckmorton, who recalled Dr. Keiper’s life as a physician; Dr. T. F. Williams, pastor of Trinity M. E. church, who spoke on Dr. Keiper’s religious life, and Dean Stanley Coulter, of Purdue University who paid eloquent tribute to Dr. Keiper as a Rotarian. Several musical numbers in keeping with the event concluded the program. Dr. Keiper served as second president of the Lafayette Rotary Club.
Journal of the Indiana State Medical Association. Vol 19:no.1-12(1926) pgs 175-178. Retrieved from https://archive.org/ by V. Sprengel 2Nov2018
Contributor: vicki sakel sprengel (46917628)
Gravesite Details
age 59. Undertaker, S.P. Templeton, Lafayette, Indiana.
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