From the collections at the Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum. Reprinted with permission from The Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum and the Leavenworth Times. Donated by Debra Graden.
Dr. Stewart McKee, widely known Leavenworth physician, died this morning at 1:40 o'clock at St. John's hospital.
The 75-year-old doctor had been seriously ill since an operation April 16 at Trinity Lutheran hospital, Kansas City, Mo. He was brought to the hospital here April 24.
Rallying after the operation, Dr. McKee was given a better than even chance of recovery by his attending physicians and his convalescence during the next few days supported the optimism of his physicians.
Two weeks ago, however, he suffered a release and was brought to the hospital here by members of his family. His condition since then had been critical.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. John McKee, early residents of Leavenworth, Dr. McKee's career was marked by a long record of service to the public. During the 37 years he practiced medicine in this city he held public positions for 38 years.
He was assistant postmaster under his father, and early-day Leavenworth resident. He was a member of the government pension board in Leavenworth from 1896 to 1930.
For 14 years he served as physician for the county and city and from 1914 to 1926 was surgeon at the main federal prison. He also was a former president of the city board of education.
Dr. McKee received his medical training at Iowa and Harvard Medical Schools. Among his later interests was one in gold mines in the Philippine Islands, in association with his sisters.
Dr. McKee attracted national attention to himself on April 11, 1934, when he publicly announced he would devote the remaining years of his life to administering free of charge to all who required medical attention and were unable to pay for such service.
Letters of praise from all parts of the nation were received by the physician after the announcement.
Dr. McKee is survived by the widow, Mrs. Nora Blanche McKee of the home, 700 Chestnut; one son, Dr. Richard McKee, 519 Prospect street; one brother, John McKee, Brownwood, Tex.; three sisters, Miss Rose McKee and Miss Syrena McKee, both of Manila, Philippine Islands; Mrs. Eugenia Renz, of Kansas City, Mo., and eight nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the McKee home, 700 Chestnut street, at 2 P. M. Wednesday, with Rev. Alfred Henderson officiating. Burial will be in Mount Muncie cemetery. The body will remain at the Sexton funeral chapel until 10 o'clock Wednesday morning.