OBITUARY-DEATH NOTICE: Robert R. Kirchgatter, c1945-1961, Mitchell Co, Iowa

[ Osage Press, May 11, 1961 ]




                   ST. ANSGAR YOUTH TAKES LIFE MONDAY

Funeral services will be held Friday at w p.m. at the Methodist Church
in St. Ansgar  for Robert R. Kirchgatter, 16, who took his own life in
the barn on the Kirchgatter farm northwest of St. Ansgar late Monday
afternoon.

Death was caused by hanging, according to Dr. R. L. Whitley, Mitchell
county medical examiner, who also stated that the boy suffered a broken
neck.  The rope had beam secured to the barn rafter, according to Dr.
Whitley, and the boy jumped about seventeen feet from a platform.

Efforts by the St. Ansgar Fire Department Rescue Squad to save the boy
were futile.  Robert left the house at the family farm about 4:30 p.m.
and he was found by his father about 5 p.m., according to Dr. Whitley. 

Cause of his despondency was not know to the parents, according to the
report.

The Rev Lloyd Brockmeyer, Pastor of the St. Ansgar Methodist Church,
will be in charge of the services.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. [Carl] Ellery Kirchgatter,
one brother and one sister.



    Copyright 2004, Sharon Ivy