Obit: Laack, Galen #3 (1931? - 1958)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Laack

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 01/08/1959

Laack, Galen #3 (1931? - 31 DEC 1958)

Galen Laack, 27, formerly of Abbotsford, was killed New Year’s Eve when his car failed to negotiate a sharp curve and struck a tree on a highway near Pleasanton, Calif.

Laack, a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles professional football team, was enroute from his home in Stockton to visit a girlfriend.  Highway Patrolman Fred Bieser said Laack was traveling south on the Sunol-Pleasanton road 35 miles east of San Francisco at a high rate of speed when he missed the right angle curve and plunged into the tree.

Only an average athlete in high school, Laack developed tremendously physically while in the service and when he played football at College of the Pacific hwe weighted about 220 pounds.  He made honorable mention all-American on several teams.

Laack also played some baseball and one summer played outfield for the Marshfield Rollers.

He played in the East-West Shrine game in 1956, playing with the Eastern All-Stars, and received prominent recognition for All-American in 1956.  He was first string guard of all West Coast in 1956.  In 1957 he played Canadian football.  In 1958 he signed with the Washington Redskins, who had drafted him at the end of his college career.  He was then purchased by the Philadelphia Eagles.

In college he was a member of the Omega Phi Alpha fraternity.  He had received numerous awards and trophies for his outstanding achievements.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Daisy A. Laack, Abbotsford; two sisters, Betty Lou Laack, Abbotsford; nancy Jean Laack, Sacramento, Calif.; two brothers, Larry W. Laack, Stockton, Calif., presently serving in the Army at Ft. Lewis Wash.; Daniel G. Laack, Gary, Ind.