Clemens Eugene Haggerty

Clemens Eugene Haggerty, 87, of Lake Ozark, Missouri passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Lake Regional Health Systems in Osage Beach, Missouri.  Clem was born on March 8, 1937 in Vienna, Missouri.  His parents had a son Harold, who died at 6 months of age of pneumonia, and daughters, Virginia, Tessie, Mary Catherine, Lorraine and LaDonna and have all preceded him in death.

In his youth he attended Flattop Visitation School (a one room school house) in Vienna, MO.  His parents eventually moved to Linn, MO and Clem graduated from Linn High School in 1954.  He was employed at a dental lab in Jefferson City, MO when he decided he wanted to become a doctor and then attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO.  While attending Lincoln, he worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in the lab and assisted Dr. Fred Handler conducting autopsies.  He transferred to the University of MO in Columbia after four years and majored in Biology and premed, receiving his Bachelors of Science Degree.  He worked for the Food & Drug Administration from 1960 to the fall of 1961.  He soon began medical school in Kansas City at the School of Osteopathic Medicine.

While working in St. Louis in 1960-61, he met his future wife, Carolyn (Auer) at Our Lady of Sorrow at a Pius X Young Adults Club.  They married at Our Lady of Sorrow in June 22, 1963 in South St. Louis, and she survives of the home.  They made their home in Kansa City, MO.  He studied very hard also while working at Children’s Mercy Hospital in the lab at night. It was just walking distance from their home.  He interned at Lakeside Hospital for a year as a surgical resident.

His son, Stephen was born in 1967, daughter Cathleen in 1969 and son, Michael in 1971.  In May of 1967, the family moved to Lake of the Ozarks and he joined Dr. Robert Mason in family practice until 1998.  As there was no local hospital he would drive to Jefferson City for deliveries and surgeries and to check on his patients in the local hospitals there.  He and Dr. Otis Moseley, Dr. Robert Mason and Larry Shields developed and opened Lake Regional Hospital where he became the first Chief of Staff.  He and Dr. Mason practiced medicine together for fifty years. 

Clem was appointed by Gov. Kit Bond from 1983-1986 as a member of the Board of Health.  Gov. John Ashcroft appointed him to the Board of Healing Arts from 1986-1990, serving as President in 1990.  Clem was on the Osage School Board for eight years, the Board at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church for six years in the 70’s and early 80’s.

He loved fishing and hunting.  He was an avid MU Tiger football, Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinal fan.  He was very proud of his family and growing up in Vienna, MO.  As busy as he was as a doctor, he loved his children and his grandchildren, Peter, Charles, Pridie, Noah and Nathan and getting to spend free moments with them.

Memorials in his name are suggested to Lake Regional Health Systems and Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church of Lake Ozark, MO and School of the Osage.

Visitation will be Friday, November 15, 2024 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with the Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00 AM.  Burial will follow at the Eldon City Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon, MO.   

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