Burritt L. Haag

LEEDS - Dr. Burritt L. Haag Junior (also known as Skeets and/or Pappy by those who loved him), age 91, of Leeds MA, passed away on 6-27-2025 peacefully at home, with his loving wife Yveline by his side.
Burritt was born in Lockhaven PA on 9–09-1933. He is predeceased by his parents, Colette Colquist Haag and Burritt Leinbach Haag. Burritt developed his lifelong love for nature as a child growing up in rural Pennsylvania, where he enjoyed many happy days hiking and camping with childhood friends.
After graduating from Lockhaven high school in 1951 he went on to matriculate at Penn State University. While in college Burritt joined the men's gymnastics team and enjoyed great success as a rope climber. The team went on to win the NCAA division one men's championship in 1954. After graduating from Penn State, Burritt received a degree in medicine from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1959. He completed training in internal medicine and then served as an officer in the Navy medical corps as a navy ship doctor for two years. After completing his service, he pursued further medical studies in endocrinology at Temple University in Philadelphia. In 1968 Burritt moved to Western mass for his dream job – to be the chief of the division of endocrinology at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield Mass. He would hold that position for the next 30 years. With his great passion for medicine, inquisitive mind, quick wit, and kind bedside manner he was a wonderful physician. He enjoyed many years, caring for thousands of patients and teaching hundreds of young physicians in training. During his long career in medicine, he also received several national awards, recognizing his excellence in the clinical care of diabetes, including the Pfizer award in 1980 and the American Diabetes Association award in 1985.
Burritt had many interests outside of medicine. He enjoyed camping, hiking, skiing, playing cards, and watching sports with his family and friends. He was also a wonderful storyteller who was never afraid to exaggerate for the sake of a good story and his Pappy-isms, as they came to be known, were legendary among all those who knew and loved him.
In August 1997, just a couple weeks shy of his 64th birthday, he accomplished one of his longtime goals, hiking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.
During his retirement, Burritt and Yveline spent many relaxing months at her seaside home on the Mediterranean in France. They also enjoyed some wonderful trips together, the highlight being their safari in Tanzania.
Burritt Is survived by his wife, Yveline Peter and her two sons: Laurent Peter (Cristina) and Gregory Peter (Cristina); his second wife, Ann Marie Haag, and their four children: Dr. Colette Haag-Rickert (Michael Spensley), Jennifer Haag (Mark), Dr. Burritt L Haag III (Sojung) and Rachel Haag (John); and his first wife, Susan Feaster, and their two children : Rebecca Haag Sommi (Lou) and Laurie Haag Lavalla ((Frank). He is survived by 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren as well as his sister Judy Lantz.
He did not want to have a service. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Anyone wishing to honor the memory of Burritt may do so by making a memorial gift to the American Diabetes Association. These gifts will help in their efforts to find a cure for diabetes. 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383).