Dr. Mel Kasten

When he died last week, one thing stood out in the impressive list of accomplishments and honors Dr. Melvin Kasten accumulated in 79 years of life. There amid the World War II service as a bombardier navigator, the 40-year surgery practice, the state medical association presidency, the chief of staff positions held at both Cape Girardeau hospitals, the untiring involvement in civic and political organizations, in his church and in city government is the elegantly telling fact that he coached Little League baseball.

He did all that and then went out to the ballpark to show little boys how to play ball.

He and his beloved wife, Mary, were married for 54 years and were a wonderful team. Mary served in the Missouri House of Representatives. He served on the Cape Girardeau City Council. They had all the bases covered.

After his death, those who knew him spoke of his hard work, his dedication to his duties. They also spoke of his kindness.

In a letter to the editor earlier this week, Mississippi County Clerk Hubert (Junior) Delay Jr. wrote that Kasten performed a surgery that saved Delay's life when he was 5 years old. Many years later, when Kasten himself was hospitalized by infirmity, Delay got a chance to thank him and to tell him he considered him one of his heroes.

Mel Kasten: Hero and Little League coach.