Leroy Kleinsasser

Kleinsasser, LeRoy Kleinsasser, Dr. LeRoy J., passed away May 9, 2014, in Dallas, where he had lived for more than 65 years, reaching the age of 101. A caring, hard-working man with a well-developed and sometimes mischievous sense of humor, he was a loving father, gifted surgeon, avid golfer, fisherman, painter, outdoorsman, and good dancer. Dr. Kleinsasser was born February 24, 1913, in Chaseley, North Dakota, and later lived in Tyndall, South Dakota.There were no sports teams, but there was debate. A famous story involved his going to the state finals, where an opponent made the mistake of quoting from a book in support of his argument. Dr. Kleinsasser had the book, and made a tremendous impression in rebuttal, declaring, "Show me the page! Show me the page!" This led, of course, to victory as the opponent had invented the quote. He also played the clarinet, even having a teacher and this turned out to be a good addition, as he later marched in the college band. The clarinet was sold while he was a medical resident for spending money. He graduated valedictorian of his high school class, Cum Laude from the University of South Dakota, and received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Nebraska in 1936. He continued his medical education with internships at the University of Nebraska and University of Minnesota and completed his surgery residency training at Charity Hospital in New Orleans on the Tulane Surgical Division from 1938 to 1942. During this period, he met and married Dorothy Aldwyth Waggener, a medical social worker at Charity Hospital. They were married for 42 years until her death in 1983. Dr. Kleinsasser, a World War II army veteran, achieved the rank of Major and was Chief of a Vascular Surgical Center during his service. After leaving the army in 1946, he served four years as Chief of the Surgical Service at the Dallas Veterans Administration Hospital. He then entered the private practice of vascular, general, and thoracic surgery and became Director of Medical Education and Director of Surgical Training Program at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He was a pioneer vascular surgeon performing some of the first major vascular operations in Dallas. He belonged to prestigious vascular societies including the Society for Vascular Surgery, the International Cardiovascular Society, and the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery. He was certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the Board of Thoracic Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was on the attending staffs of Baylor University Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital, and Parkland and was clinical professor of surgery at Southwestern Medical School. He served as president of the Baylor University Medical Center Staff, Dallas Society of General Surgeons, North Texas Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, and Dallas Southern Clinical Society, and as vice president of the Texas Surgical Society. He was also a member of the Dallas County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, Texas Surgical Society, Society of University Surgeons, Southwestern Surgical Congress, and Western Surgical Association. Dr. Kleinsasser retired from full-time surgical practice in 1987, and was a consultant until 2006. He continued to attend Surgery Grand Rounds through his 98th year. Dr. Kleinsasser had many interests, including hunting and fishing and the outdoors, which were all opportunities for spending time with his family. He was a long-time member of the Dallas Country Club where he enjoyed many hours of golf and, in his later years, dining and dancing with his dear friend Mrs. Betty Sanford and in the company of his social group. In the last few years, he enjoyed painting, the daily newspaper--especially the crossword--morning exercise class, and breakfast at Cindi's Restaurant when guests visited. He considered the exercise bicycle his nemesis and often spent 30 minutes a day on "the wheel." On his 100th birthday, every family member and many friends gathered in Dallas to celebrate his spirit and longevity. He was preceded in death by his parents Anna Wipf Kleinsasser and Jacob G. Kleinsasser, brother Alvin North, loving wife Dorothy Waggener Kleinsasser, and son Dr. Karl John Kleinsasser. He is survived by daughter Katherine Kleinsasser Morris and husband Richard Morris of Portland, Oregon, daughter Olga Kleinsasser Harris of Raleigh, North Carolina, and son Roy Kleinsasser and wife Sandra Kleinsasser of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren Erik Sotka of Charleston, South Carolina, Susan Sotka of Lake Oswego, Oregon, William Harris, and Laura Harris, both of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Karl Kleinsasser of Austin, Texas, as well as great grandchildren Max, Lyla, Kai, and Liv. The family wishes to thank his many friends and colleagues who oversaw his health in his later years and numerous caregivers who eased his daily routine. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. May 19 at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.