Whit Ehrler

The following email from Matt Bowers, an associate of Dr. Butts and the son of our classmate Sid Bowers, was sent to our class website.

"It is with a heavy heart that I write this, announcing the passing of Dr. Don Butts. Dr. Butts was one of the first practicing psychiatrists in the Springfield area and had a career of approximately 54 years. Dr. Butts has been the only psychiatrist to work on site at Ozark Correctional Center. He worked here for over 20 years, helping countless offenders to be well enough to complete the program and retired in 2019 because of lingering health issues. Dr. Butts also worked at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield as well as with juvenile offenders who were in the custody of the Division of Youth Services. He was passionate about helping his patients and would do nearly anything to help a friend or coworker. Dr. Butts was one of the smartest and most well read men I have ever met. He could quote at length whole passages of Shakespeare and speak Olde English and German. He even tried his hand at ranching texas longhorn cattle. Dr. Butts came from a time in which psychiatrists were still the main practitioners of "the talking cure" and he would lend a sympathetic ear to any in need. Dr. Butts was a graduate of the Medical School at the University of Missouri, which he paid for with his service as a physician in the US Army during the Vietnam era. His service is today at the Veteran's Cemetary in Springfield with full military honors. Dr. Butts was a good friend and helped literally thousands of people over his long life of service. He will be missed."
 

Jerry, yes there is an obituary.  On the Home Page of this website, there is an announcement about Sandra King Tower's passing along with a link to her obituary.  She lived in Springfield.