Obituaries

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Barbara B. Bonner

Dr. Bonner (TUF '94), 46, Upton, Mass., died Aug. 1, 2003. She was the founder and director of The Turtle Hospital of New England Inc. Dr. Bonner was also a board member and consulting veterinarian for Turtle Homes Rescue Inc. and a staff veterinarian for Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment Services in Walpole, Mass. She served on the adjunct faculty of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and had been an instructor in clinical reptile medicine.

Devoted to the cause of turtle conservation, Dr. Bonner was known for her ability to treat and care for rare Asian turtles. Recently, she helped organize a successful rescue of 600 Asian box turtles. Dr. Bonner's husband, Michael Penko, survives her. Memorials may be made to The Turtle Hospital of New England Inc., 1 Grafton Road, Upton, MA 01568; or the Buddy Dog Humane Society, 151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.

Joy L. Decker

Dr. Decker (KSU '67), 66, Homosassa, Fla., died July 3, 2003. Prior to retirement in 1994, he owned Decker Dog and Cat Hospital in Lansing, Mich., for 27 years. Dr. Decker chaired the Michigan State Board of Veterinary Medicine for two terms.

Verle W. Foote

Dr. Foote (ISU '51), 81, Chariton, Iowa, died June 18, 2003. From 1951 until retirement in 1989, he practiced in the Chariton area. During his career, Dr. Foote also worked for the Humeston Sale Barn in Humeston, Iowa. A World War II veteran, he served in the Army Air Corps, stationed in India with the Air Transport Command. During this time, Dr. Foote's group was honored with two unit citations. He attained the rank of corporal.

Dr. Foote is survived by four sons and a daughter. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church music program, 923 Roland Ave., Chariton, IA 50049; or the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Iowa Chapter, 700 E. University Ave., Level B, Des Moines, IA 50316.

David J. Fruit

Dr. Fruit (ISU '43), 83, Merton, Wis., died July 2, 2003. Retired, he had owned Merton Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Fruit was a 50-year member of the Wisconsin VMA. He served in the Army Veterinary Corps from 1943-1945, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Fruit's wife, Alta; three sons; and a daughter survive him.

Burton J. Gray

Dr. Gray (ISU '43), 82, Carefree, Ariz., died May 16, 2003. Following graduation, Dr. Gray served briefly in the Army during World War II. From 1944-1958, he worked for Fort Dodge Laboratories in Fort Dodge, Iowa, serving in the capacities of director, vice president, and president. In 1959, Dr. Gray joined Wyeth Laboratories in Philadelphia, becoming administrative vice president in 1972. After he retired, he was a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania.

He was the first veterinarian from industry to serve on the AVMA Council on Research, in 1954. Dr. Gray also served on a Department of Agriculture committee that evaluated federal veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and on the board of governors of the Iowa State University Foundation. He had been a member of the U.S. Livestock Sanitary Association, the American Academy of Science, and the U.S. Public Health Association. Dr. Gray served as secretary-treasurer of the North Central Iowa VMA for seven years.

Dr. Gray was the recipient of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Stange Award in 1979. His wife, Trudy; two sons; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.

William B. Johnston

Dr. Johnston (AUB '73), 56, Montgomery, Ala., died Aug. 4, 2003. President of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Dr. Johnston was the state public health veterinarian with the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Following graduation, Dr. Johnston was in private practice for seven years, also serving as a college instructor at Snead State Junior College, and as a county rabies inspector. From 1980-1985, he worked for the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service as a veterinary medical officer. Dr. Johnston served as animal industry veterinarian for the Alabama Department of Agriculture from 1985-1993. He was also a consultant/inspector for the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for four years. In 1993, Dr. Johnston joined the Alabama Department of Public Health, and was part of the team of national leaders working on planning efforts to control raccoon rabies with oral rabies vaccinations.

Dr. Johnston was a committee member for the NASPHV's annual "Compendium of animal rabies prevention and control" and a past chair of its "Compendium of measures to control Chlamydophila psittaci (formerly Chlamydia psittaci) infection among humans and pet birds." He represented the NASPHV on the Advisory Panel to the AVMA House of Delegates.

Dr. Johnston was president of the Alabama VMA in 2002. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, he served on its examination committee. His wife, Lynette, and two children survive him. Memorials may be made to the Auburn University Foundation, College of Veterinary Medicine, 317 S. College St., Auburn, AL 36849; or the First United Methodist Church, 306 W. Tuskeena St., Wutempka, AL 36092.

Charles E. Payne

Dr. Payne (TEX '59), 68, Bryan, Texas, died May 18, 2003. He was in mixed practice in Bryan. A past president of the Texas Cattlemen's Association, Dr. Payne had served on the American Beef Board. He also served on the board of directors of the Troup (Texas) Chamber of Commerce.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454; or the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607.

Felix D. Prater

Dr. Prater (TEX '46), 78, Dallas, died July 28, 2003. From 1979 until retirement in 1986, he was a faculty member of the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, working in the small animal clinic. Prior to that, Dr. Prater co-owned Casa Linda Animal Clinic in Dallas for 22 years. A member of the Dallas County VMA and the Texas VMA, he served as a director representing the DCVMA on the TVMA.

Dr. Prater is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons; and a daughter. One son, Dr. Troy L. Prater (TEX '74), is a veterinarian in Richardson, Texas.

Roy H. Upton

Dr. Upton (AUB '69), 59, Goodlettsville, Tenn., died July 12, 2003. A small animal practitioner, he owned Goodlettsville Animal Hospital for 31 years. Prior to that, Dr. Upton practiced in Stuart, Fla., for two years. He was a member of the Tennessee VMA and the Nashville VMA.

Dr. Upton's wife, Rita; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454.