Norman C. Pigg, D.C., 37th Keeler Recipient

Norman C. Pigg was born on February 7, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri.  He graduated from Esther High School in 1944 and entered active Naval duty on May 21, 1944.  His basic training was taken at Camp Wallace, located at Hitchcock, Texas.  He served two years in the Navy of which 18 months were spent overseas in Palermo, Sicily.

Following World War II, he entered Westminster Presbyterian College, where he began his studies in Mechanical Engineering.  However, following completion of his first year he became interested in Chiropractic.  Thus, he entered Palmer College of Chiropractic and received his degree of Doctor of Chiropractic in September, 1949.

Curtis S. McCubbin, D.C., 36th Keeler Recipient

Curtis S. McCubbin was born in Austin, Texas April 12, 1923.  shortly thereafter, his father, Sherman L. McCubbin, a construction superintendent and his mother, Sara Elizabeth McCubbin, moved to San Antonio, Texas.  He attended San Antonio public schools, graduating from high school in 1940.  World War II interrupted his college plans and he served as a crew chief flight engineer in the Air Force until September 1945.  His overseas service was with the 20th Air Force in the Pacific Theatre where he was cited with the Bronze Star Medal.

The decision to become a Doctor of Chiropractic was the direct result of seeking care for a sciatic nerve problem stemming from back injury from a World War II airplane crash.  After receiving much military medical treatment for this, he entered the office of Dr. Clyde Keeler, Chiropractor, of Dallas, Texas, and was greatly impressed with the wonderful results obtained in his case.  He spent some time talking with Dr. Keeler and was so impressed with what could be accomplished with chiropractic, he enrolled in the Logan School of Chiropractic.  Not only was a new future presented but as a result of entering Logan College as a student, he met and married Stephanie Mary Godek who was also a student.  Deciding to receive a well rounded education, they transferred to Missouri Chiropractic College and after another transfer for more knowledge, graduated from Kansas State Chiropractic College in August, 1948.

Melvin E. Garrett, Jr., D.C., 35th Keeler Recipient

Melvin E. Garrett, Jr.  was born in the small community of Otto, Texas on December 23, 1920.  Shortly afterwards he moved to Mart, Texas where he played football, basketball, and received his High School diploma.  He attended Baylor University, but in May of 1942, he volunteered for service in the Air Corps.  He became a 1st Sgt., and was light weight boxing champion of the Air Force on the west coast.  He served his overseas duty in Italy.  While stationed in Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, he married Martha Ann Myers in June 1941.  They have three sons, Ronald, Douglas, and Michael.  Also a grandson, Steven.

Melvin was discharged from the Air Force in 1945.  He returned to Baylor University to study law.  While waiting for the new semester to enroll, he was an ad in a small local paper concerning the theory and practice of chiropractic.  The ad was placed in the paper by Dr. J. D. Thornton, who was practicing in Mart on a part time basis.  Melvin had only been to a chiropractors twice in his life and was not favorably impressed at the time.  He had an Uncle in Mart who was an M.D., but the theory of pills for various and all ailments could never make a convert of him.  He prides himself in the fact that he, Anne, and his three sons have never used anything for illness but chiropractic, and his family has been exceptionally healthy.

Elton Berkman, D.C., 34th Keeler Recipient

Dr. Elton Berkman was born in Roganville, Texas, June 4, 1918.  His mother’s side of the family, including her father and grandfather were predominately doctors.  When 12 years old, a two and one half story fall from the top of a school building incapacitated him for nine months.  It was during this period of time that his interest was kindled towards become a doctor.

He graduated from high school in Seattle, Wash.  He was married to Virginia Boynton in 1938, and she shared the interest and enthusiasm of his becoming a doctor.  World War II stopped his medical school plans, and four years were spent in the United States Navy.  In 1946, an automobile accident disturbed the spinal balance that the spine had made, to the fall years back, and after one medical failure after another, chiropractic succeeded in restoring his health again.  The results obtained on both Dr. Virginia and Dr. Elton by chiropractic, brought about the decision to enter chiropractic college, and both enrolled in Palmer College.  They graduated in February 1949, Virginia as class secretary, and Elton, as class president.

Their first practice was with Dr. Halstead in Cleburne, Texas and they opened their present office in Colorado City, Texas in June 1950.

Joseph Robert Frank Baier D.C., 33rd Keeler Recipient

Joseph Robert Frank Baier was born in San Antonio, Texas on March 12, 1903.  He was a member of the second class to be graduated from Brackenridge High School.

As a child he was constantly sick and was placed under chiropractic care.  When he regained his health, he decided to enroll in Texas Chiropractic College when B. F. and Flora Gordon bought control.  Soon his father J. A., mother, Elizabeth H. and a sister Alice H. entered T.C.C. and graduated within a few months of each other.  They opened an office in San Antonio for one year; then, moved to Sequin, Texas, where they practiced for several years.

Gerald M. Brassard, D.C., F.I.C.C., 32nd Keeler Recipient

Dr. Gerald M. Brassard of Beaumont, Texas, graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1949 with the degree of D.C. and a diploma in Spinography, later he became staff doctor in the Bend Chiropractic Clinic in Dixon, Illinois.

His early education was acquired in Manchester, New Hampshire.  He attended Hesser College for 2-yerars and one year at Lamar Tech in Beaumont, Texas.  He was Clinic Director for Parker Clinic in Beaumont for three years.  He has had post-graduate work in Logan basic technique and is licensed to practice in Texas, Missouri, and New Hampshire.

He was married to May C. Murielle in September 1941, and to this union was born two sons, Richard G. and Raymond M. Richard is a 1965 Palmer College Graduate and has a degree of D.C.

Robert E. Hartong, D.C., 31st Keeler Recipient

Photo and biography not yet available.

Evelyn Shipman, D.C., 30th Keeler Recipient

Dr. Evelyn was born in Merkel, Texas, March 4, 1917. Her parents, William H. (Bill) Kennedy and Mary Stevens Kennedy, long time residents of Jones County, made their home on a ranch ten miles northwest of Merkel.

During her public school days Willie Evelyn took an active part in school sports and was especially active in softball and basketball competition.

In 1935 she graduated from Anson High School, Anson, Texas, and enrolled in Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.  During her two-years as a student of this University Willie Evelyn received special voice training and was presented in recital by her teacher, Lola Gibson Deaton.

Willie Evelyn Kennedy was married to J. C. Shipman, Jr. in 1937 and, along with her husband, enrolled in Carver Chiropractic College, Oklahoma City.  During her tenure as a student in Carver College she served as receptionist and specially assistant to Dr. Willard Carver, president of the college.  As an intern in the Carver College Public Clinic, Dr. Evelyn excelled by being number one (1) in her class in numbers of patients cared for.  She was graduated from chiropractic college with a D.C. Degree in January 1940.

Upon graduation Dr. Evelyn, along with Dr. J. C. established an office in Seminole, Texas, and practiced there until the beginning of World War Two in 1942.  During this war she made her residence in Abilene, Texas and in 1946 entered active practice in Abilene.

Devere E. Biser, D.C., 29th Keeler Recepient

Dr. Devere E. Biser was born circa 1911 and passed away peacefully at his home on March 3, 2001.  Dr. Biser was 90.  A graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Dr. Biser moved to Dallas in 1937 and opened a practice which has endured for 64 years.

Dr. Biser helped forge and enact the Chiropractic Act of Texas in 1947 and was issued Texas License #2.  Dr. Biser was a member of the TCA; the ICA; helped to organize the ACA; was on the committee of 12 Board of Governors since its inception in 1964; president of the Council of State Chiropractic Examining Boards, serving from 1961 to 1964 and chairing from 1963-1967; helped to create the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; served on the Joint Council of State Chiropractic Examining Boards; and the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners from 1948 until 1966.  

Dr. Biser was President of the TCA from 1966-67, was presented the Keeler Plaque in 1962, was editor of the Texas Chiropractor for 25 years as well as holding numerous positions in the Dallas district and county Chiropractic organizations.  Many found it telling that he chose his patients and his profession over a post in Ronald Regan’s White House.

William D. Harper, D.C., 28th Keeler Recipient

Dr. William D. Harper was born in Big Spring, Texas, November 28, 1908.  Shortly thereafter his fatter, Dr. William D. Harper, D.D.S. and his mother, Minnie Roots Harper, moved to San Antonio, Texas where his father practiced dentistry and his mother, a graduate of Sam Houston Normal School, was in the Alamo Heights School System.

In 1921 the family moved to Boston, Massachusetts, as certain patents, developed by his father, were being marketed in that area.

After grade school at Lukin Military Academy in Alamo Heights and in Waban, Massachusetts Public School, Dr. Harper entered the Huntington Preparatory School in Boston and upon graduation, entered the Boston University Pre-Medical in September 1928.

1970

The Keeler Award for 1970 was awarded to Norman Pigg, D.C.

H. L. Rudeseal is named the thirty-seventh President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

1969

 The Keeler Award for 1969 was awarded to Curtis S. McCubbin, D.C.

J. W. Muilenburg is named the thirty-sixth President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

1968

The Keeler Award for 1968 was awarded to Melvin Garrett, D.C.

Ralph Whitehead is named the thirty-fifth President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

1967

The Keeler Award for 1976 was awarded to Elton Berkman, D.C.

J. D. Thornton is named the thirty-fourth President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

1966

The Keeler Award for 1966 was awarded to J. Robert Baier, D.C.

Devere E. Biser is named the thirty-third President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

1965

The Keeler Award for 1965 was awarded to G. M. Brassard, D.C.

Douglas Ray is named the thirty-second President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

1964

The Keeler Award for 1964 was awarded to Robert E. Hartong, D.C.

Howard Pierce is named the thirty-first President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

1963

• The AMA forms its committee on Quackery. Its primary mission: to contain and eliminate the profession of chiropractic. 

1962

The Keeler Award for 1962 was awarded to Devere E. Biser, D.C.

John McMurrain is named the twenty-ninth President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

1961

The Keeler Award for 1961 was awarded to William D. Harper, D.C.

The twenty-seventh President of the Texas Chiropractic Association, Roy Logan, continues to serve.

J. V. Miller is named the twenty-eighth President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.