Dr. Aloys J. Daack

Daack, Dr. Aloys J. 92 01/30/1918 03/25/2010 "The Doc," as he was affectionately known to others, was called home March 25, 2010. He was born of humble roots in Silver Creek, Ill., to Sina and Julius Daack, and credited his childhood upbringing during the Great Depression for his work ethic, compassion for others and can-do spirit. One of his earliest memories was of his excitement at the approach of the showboat along the banks of the Illinois River. A jack-of-all trades, his proudest accomplishment during this period was to own and operate the Riverview Ballroom, a nightclub servicing the showboats along the banks of the river. Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Aloys enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country as a submariner in the South Pacific aboard the USS Pelias in World War II. While working as a pharmacist's mate, Aloys was called to serve others and dedicated his life to the healing arts. A proud veteran, he returned to serve again in the Korean War and was stationed in Amchitka, Alaska. It was at this time that his love affair with the Land of the Midnight Sun began. Aloys used the G.I. Bill to receive his Bachelor of Science from Carthage College in 1950 and later graduated from Stills College in Des Moines, Iowa, with his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. He received his Doctor of Medicine from University of California - Irvine. A country doctor by nature, Dr. Daack practiced medicine at his Rockwood clinic in Portland for 38 years. Adjacent to his office, he tended sheep, horses, cattle and a half acre vegetable garden. When not helping others, the Doc could be found hunting, prospecting, or piloting in the Alaska bush. More often than not however, he found himself returning to the role of country doctor, serving the people of Chicken, Alaska, a remote gold mining community he considered his second home. Aloys was a lifetime member of the Royal Rosarians, the Navy League and the sons of Polly Pelio. He was also a faithful member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for 42 years. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sieglinde; children, Rachel and Esther; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Georgia; and daughter, Rebecca. Dr. Daack was interred with full military honors at Willamette National Cemetery April 1, 2010, surrounded by close family and friends. His life will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2010, in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 7220 S.E. 39th Ave., Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. For more information, please visit www.mem.com

Arrangements under the direction of Caldwell’s, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home, Portland, OR. For more information, please contact the Funeral Home at 503-232-4111 - Published in the Oregonian