Harold W. Thaut MD, “Hal”, passed away on March 19, 2024 at the age of 78.

Hal was born on October 15, 1945 in Hastings, NE to Harold W. Thaut, Sr. and Evelyn (O’Donnell) Thaut. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1963 and Hastings College in 1967. He was the recipient of the Bronco Award, the highest non-academic honor given to a student who made significant contributions to Hastings College.

On May 25, 1968, Hal and Bette Anne Kuhn were married in Omaha, NE. Hal attended medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating in 1972. The couple moved to Beatrice in 1974 where Hal began his work as a family practice physician at the Beatrice Medical Center. As part of his 50-year career, Hal worked as the medical director for the Beatrice State Developmental Center and the Good Samaritan Society. Hal worked for 10 years as a physician in the Emergency Department of Beatrice Community Hospital and retired in 2018. Hal served on the boards of the Beatrice Humane Society and the Beatrice Public Library. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder.

Hal was a lifelong Husker fan and attended as many football and volleyball games as he could. Hal and Bette Anne loved to travel around the country and overseas. He was an avid reader and chess player and watched Jeopardy every day. Hal was a huge animal lover with many beloved pets over the years. He especially enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren.

Hal is survived by his wife, Bette Anne and daughters, Sarah (Scott) Snell of Hastings, NE and Jessie (Brett) Wells of Collierville, TN; grandchildren Jonah, Norah, and Gabriel Snell and Owen and Abby Wells, brothers-in-law Robert Kuhn of Omaha and Evart Barton (Jane) of Hastings, NE, and several nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Evelyn Thaut, and sisters, Shirley Barton and Donna Thaut.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church in Beatrice with Pastor Doris Martin officiating. The service will be Livestreamed on the church Presby Beatrice You Tube page. Inurnment will be held at the Parkview Cemetery in Hastings, NE. at a later date. There will be no viewing, but a register book will be available for signatures from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Friday at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. His family will gather for a family prayer service at 1:45 PM Saturday at the church. A memorial has been established to the Beatrice Humane Society with the funeral home in charge.

As we remember Hal, let us reflect on the words of Albert Schweitzer, "The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." Hal embodied this sentiment throughout his life. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched.

We encourage those who knew Hal to share their memories and upload photos, watch his video tribute and service on his memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. Your stories will serve as a testament to a life full of service, compassion, and love.

 These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.