Obituaries

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old
Memorial contributions to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation are gratefully accepted. When making such contributions, please indicate the name and address of the individual who should receive notification of your donation. Contact: AVMF 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100 Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360 (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6689 www.avmf.org

AVMA Honor Roll Member
AVMA Member
Nonmember

Elmer N. Coye

Dr. Coye (COR '43), 81, Southern Pines, N.C., died June 12, 2003. Retired, he practiced in Lyons, N.Y., from 1947-1976. Dr. Coye was president of the New York State VMS in 1968. An Army veteran, he served in China and Burma from 1943-1946. Dr. Coye attained the rank of captain. His wife, Mary, and two sons survive him.

Memorials may be made to the Nate Coye Memorial Fund, Community Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1449, Pinehurst, NC 28370.

Bradley E. Davis

Dr. Davis (WIS '98), 38, Bryan, Texas, died June 12, 2003. He worked for the Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at Texas A&M University. Dr. Davis' wife, Erin (TEX '04), survives him.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454; Central Baptist Church Building Fund, 600 S. Coulter Drive, Bryan, TX 77803; or TAMU Foundation, c/o Dr. O. J. Woytek, Dean's Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, TAMU 4461, College Station, TX 77843.

Norman K. Decker

Dr. Decker (MSU '43), 82, Bremen, Ind., died March 27, 2003. Prior to retirement in 1986, he owned a practice. During his career, Dr. Decker trained with the State of Indiana Veterinary Office in Indianapolis. He had also served as a board member of the Indiana VMA.

Dr. Decker served on the board of directors of the American Lung Association, the Hendricks County Board of Health, and the South Newton School Corporation. He was the recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash Outstanding Service Award from the governor of Indiana.

Mark M. Guffy

Dr. Guffy (COL '49), 82, Lompoc, Calif., died April 25, 2003. Retired, he was professor and head of the Radiology Section at Kansas State University for 25 years. Dr. Guffy had also served as a consultant with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for 20 years. Earlier in his career, he practiced in Hull and Boyden, Iowa, and Boulder, Colo.

A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, Dr. Guffy served on the KSU Radiation Safety Committee. He was a World War II torpedo bomber pilot, attaining the rank of captain.

Richard W. Hancock

Dr. Hancock (COL '62), 74, Cave Creek, Ariz., died May 17, 2003. Retired, he had owned an equine practice in Phoenix, focusing on breeding and show horses.

Dr. Hancock is survived by two daughters and two sons.

James J. Klaudt

Dr. Klaudt (KSU '65), 73, White Lake, S.D., died April 5, 2003. Following graduation and until his death, he owned a mixed animal practice in White Lake. During his career, Dr. Klaudt had also worked for Nelson Laboratories and Brown Drug Company in Sioux Falls, S.D.

He was a member of the South Dakota VMA.

C. J. McCormick

Dr. McCormick (MO '52), 80, Monett, Mo., died May 12, 2003. He owned Monett Veterinary Clinic, practicing for 32 years before retiring in 1983. Dr. McCormick was a member of the Missouri VMA. He also served in several official capacities for the Southwest Missouri VMA. A World War II veteran, Dr. McCormick served with the 600th squadron of the 398 Bomb Group.

Active in civic life, he was a member of the Monett Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Industrial Development Corporation, and the local American Legion. Dr. McCormick's wife, Wylla; two sons; and a daughter survive him. One son, Dr. Don McCormick (MO '76), is a veterinarian in Monett.

Memorials may be made to Loaves and Fishes, 4 and Cale, Monett, MO 65708; or First Baptist Church, 412 4th St., Monett, MO 65708.

Richard E. Pliske

Dr. Pliske (OSU '51), 76, La Porte, Ind., died March 28, 2003. Prior to retirement in 1989, he owned La Porte Animal Hospital. During retirement, Dr. Pliske owned Pliske Pet Care until 1999. He was a member of the Indiana VMA and the Calumet VMA.

Dr. Pliske was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a past president of the La Porte Kiwanis Club. Dr. Pliske's wife, Eleanor; a daughter; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to VNA Hospice, 2404 Valparaiso St., Valparaiso, IN 46383; St. Joseph Catholic Church Godparent Program, 102 B St., La Porte, IN 46350; or La Porte Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Program, 1007 Lincoln Way, La Porte, IN 46350.

R. Nichol Smith

Dr. Smith (WSU '53), 81, Hemet, Calif., died May 24, 2003. Following graduation, he bought Jones Pet Hospital in Beverly Hills, Calif. Dr. Smith was a member of the Southern California VMA. He is survived by three children.

Wayne D. Yoder

Dr. Yoder (ISU '43), 82, Colorado Springs, Colo., died May 16, 2003. Retired, he had been associate director of the Department of Agriculture's National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. Dr. Yoder was a member of the Iowa VMA. His brother, Dr. James T. Yoder (ISU '55), is a veterinarian in Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorials may be made to Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Suite 600, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.