Dr Haim Ruso

Dr. Haim Ben David Ruso was a descendant of a Jewish family from Belgrade. Although Ženi Lebl recorded that he was born in 1883 in Šabac, other sources imply that he was born in Belgrade.94 He finished his medical studies in Vienna, supported by a stipend from the Potpora (Support) Society. He served in the wars from 1912–18 as a medical doctor. He also participated in the battles at the Thessalonika front. In 1931, although offered a position in Belgrade, he chose to return to Šabac, where he fulfilled his medical duties by serving the whole region. He was also actively involved in the various aspects of the life of the city. For his work, he was awarded the Order of the Yugoslav Crown Grade IV. Dr. Haim Ruso served between 1940–41 as the president of the Jewish Community in Šabac, which at that time numbered 83 members. The recorded memories indicate that he was a wonderful person and an excellent physician. The war in 1941 found him in the Military hospital in Mostar. From there, he succeeded in returning to Šabac, only to be killed by the Germans on 26 September 1941.Two of his sons (David and Avram) perished during World War II. (Serbian Studies 28, p.20)