Our Founder
Dr. Lawrence Gordon Sassadeck
June 28, 1951 - March 23, 2018
About Our Founder
Complementary & Integrative Medicine of Eagle & Eagle Body Sculpting in Eagle, Idaho was founded by
Dr. Lawrence Sassadeck, otherwise known as Doc, Larry, he would just about answer to anything.
This page is a tribute to him—a way to tell you his story.
Early Life
Larry was the “surprise baby” born to John Otto Sassadeck, DC and Maud Ellen (Spencer) Sassadeck on June 28, 1951 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He was raised in Bloomfield, New Jersey. He already showed curiosity to learn ever since he was young, showing a particular fondness for science. He looked up to Thomas Edison, the inventor, and would often speak about the museum in New Jersey, where he'd visit as a young man.
Mad Scientist, School Days and Doctor Genius!
Larry was always conducting some sort of experiment in his basement with the glass beakers he was given by a local pharmacist, who saw his desire to learn. He continued to demonstrate that drive throughout his college years and would eventually follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming a Chiropractic Physician.
He went on to the National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, IL and graduated on April 18, 1978. He provided acupuncture and naturopathy care to his patients, advocating for the McKenzie Method. Larry was eventually proudly inducted into the Fellowship of International Academy of Medical Acupuncture (FIAMA).
He first brought his expertise in Florida at the Lutz Clinic and then went on to private practice in Clearwater, Florida. A few years passed and by 1980, Dr. Larry found himself in Rocky Mount, Virginia where he'd cover for another chiropractic physician for 6 months. There, he realized his love and connection to this simple and slow-paced country town. He ultimately settled in Falls Church, Virginia in 1980.
Love at First Sight
One day in 1989, August 28, 1989 to be exact, Larry was introduced to the love of his life, Karen Gayle Scott. Karen’s stepfather, Thomas Allen, and her mother, Gayle Allen were the ones who introduced the couple—something that really speaks to Dr. Larry's character. How many fathers tend to set their daughters up on dates? Not many. However, Dr. Larry won Karen's parents’ affection.
It was love at first sight as they gradually recognized that they were each other's soul mate. They married on February 17, 1990 and welcomed the birth of their beautiful daughter, Lauren Gayle Sassadeck later that year. They loved old movies (especially The Thin Man, Nick and Nora Charles), drinking coffee, and working together, almost every day, during their 28-year marriage.
He practiced in Falls Church, Virginia for 10 years before he relocated his office to Annandale, Virginia in 1991.
In 1995, he opened a satellite office in Woodstock, Virginia right near the Seven Bends of The Shenandoah River.
Continuing His Practice
After visiting Idaho several times in the late ‘90s, Larry eventually said to his wife, “Karen, sometimes you have to give up the better for the best”. So in 2001, they decided to head west to Idaho.
Dr. Larry was licensed by the IBOL, Board of Chiropractic Examiners on September 11, 2001. They arrived in October of 2001, in Eagle, Idaho and started welcoming patients at the Complementary & Integrative Medicine of Eagle, in downtown Eagle, ID
He cared deeply for his patients and sincerely wanted to help them live their best lives. He even had a patient move to Idaho from Virginia so that he could continue under Dr. Larry's care. Although he couldn't get all of his patients to pack their bags and move out of state with him long-term, there were quite a few who'd visit Idaho to seek treatment from him
as needed.
A Simple Family Man
Larry was such a humble person. He cared not for the material things in life and just wanted to enjoy the time he had with his family and friends. He'd never deny a cup of coffee or a chance to sit for a minute and talk. He was the eternal student and research hound, dedicated to learning, studying, and gathering information to help his patients. He was so soft-spoken and had such a gentle touch.
He was the IT Department and he fixed everything. Whether it’s computers or cars, he could figure it out. Doc took care of thousands of patients over his vast career of 40 years and had such a tremendous wealth of knowledge. Larry loved his patients and they loved him. His patients were not really patients. He considered them all to be a part of his extended family. All he wanted to do was to “hang out a shingle” and to take care of people.
Peppered throughout his life was his love for music. When he was a senior in high school, he favored Jimi Hendrix. He loved The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Simon & Garfunkel, the Rolling Stones, among other musicians. He continued to play his guitars over the years here in Idaho and you would often see him and Karen at Rembrandt’s of Eagle on a Friday night, hosting the Open Mic. There, Doc Larry played backup to whoever needed him to play.
He was such an incredible musician and an introvert, shy while he was playing guitar. He was very gifted with his hands, both in chiropractic as well as with the strings of his many acoustic and electric guitars. If you listened to him play, you could hear as he played his little acknowledgment rides to "Jimi". Those who were there will remember this well.
Lawrence Gordon Sassadeck, was a very special husband, soul mate, healer, friend, father, and grandfather. Larry had so many “brothers” and “sisters” and made an impressive number of friends over the years. Someone once said about Doc, “A true friend is someone with whom you share a deep connection. An understanding that you have with no one else; shared experiences, history, and knowing that you can depend upon one another.” He was blessed to know so many good people.
There is so much that has not been told here in this Tribute to Doc. How do you sum up 66 years of a man that had so much more life to share but was taken so soon?
Larry, we miss you already. We know God has a plan and he has called you home to His Kingdom.
While there is still so much to be said, there are not enough words.
As they say in the movie Forrest Gump, "Sometimes, I guess there just aren't enough rocks."
Thank you for taking the time to read about Dr. Lawrence G. Sassadeck, DC, ND, CAc,. He left a chasm that can never be filled. He loved to learn and was wicked smart! We lost a tremendous person, loving, kind and gentle man that loved his family, life and loved his work....well, and his guitar too.
He cared for everyone to the best of his ability everyday, we love and we miss him greatly.
