Obituaries

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AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Michael E. Doty

Dr. Doty (COR ’52), 82, Honeoye, N.Y., died May 7, 2006. From 1954 until retirement in 1994, he owned Wellsville Veterinary Hospital, a mixed practice, in Wellsville, N.Y. Earlier in his career, Dr. Doty practiced in Batavia, N.Y. He was a member of the New York State VMS. A World War II veteran, Dr. Doty served in the Army Air Corps. He was a member of the American Legion. Dr. Doty’s two sons and two daughters survive him.

Richard R. Eckman

Dr. Eckman (MSU ’45), 88, Bedford, Ind., died Feb. 9, 2006. Prior to retirement in the late 1970s, he served as Indiana state veterinarian. Earlier in his career, Dr. Eckman owned a practice in Cedar Springs, Mich. His wife, Elizabeth, and two daughters survive him.

William P. Johnson

Dr. Johnson (KSU ’42), 87, Manhattan, Kan., died May 1, 2006. In 1953, he joined American Cyanamid, retiring in 1981 as director of international animal industry product development. Earlier in his career, Dr. Johnson owned a practice in Slater, Mo. He authored and co-authored several articles, and established and managed the endowment fund for Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Johnson was an Army veteran, attaining the rank of major. His wife, Virginia; three daughters; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to the KSU Foundation, College of Veterinary Medicine 1942 Endowment Fund, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502.

William E. Keeler

Dr. Keeler (COR ’52), 76, Columbia, S.C., died Jan. 21, 2006. Prior to retirement, he worked for the Department of Agriculture. Earlier in his career, Dr. Keeler owned a small animal practice in Syracuse, N.Y. He served in the Army Veterinary Corps. Dr. Keeler’s two daughters and a son survive him.

James G. Logsdon

Dr. Logsdon (ILL ’63), 69, Hot Springs, Ark., died May 27, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1997, he practiced equine medicine for more than 30 years, at Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Ill., and at Oaklawn Park Racetrack in Hot Springs. A member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Dr. Logsdon also served as an on-call veterinarian for the ESPN and ABC television networks. He was a veteran of the Marines.

Dr. Logsdon is survived by his wife, Linda; two sons; and two daughters. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 213 Whittington Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901.

Bill J. Machart

Dr. Machart (KSU ’66), 63, Clearwater, Kan., died Dec. 13, 2005. He owned Clearwater Veterinary Clinic, a mixed practice focusing on dairy herd health, for 30 years. Dr. Machart was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of captain. Dr. Machart is survived by his wife, Natalie; a son; and a daughter. His cousin, Dr. John R. Hess (COL ’75), is a veterinarian in Parker, Colo. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 306 E. Ross, Clearwater, KS 67026.

Luis V. Melendez

Dr. Melendez (CHI ’50), 78, Blacksburg, Va., died Dec. 14, 2005. From 1984 until retirement in 1995, he served on the faculty of Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Melendez worked as a virologist with the Instituto Bacteriologico de Chile in Santiago for 12 years. Following his immigration to the United States, he served in various capacities at Harvard Medical School, New England Regional Primate Research Center, and the Pan American Health Organization. During his career, Dr. Melendez also served with the Office International des Epizooties in Paris.

The second edition of “Who’s Who in Veterinary Science in Medicine” lists him as the researcher/discoverer of leukemogenic herpesviruses of primates: herpesvirus samarai and herpesvirus ateles. Dr. Melendez was a member of the American Society of Tropical Veterinary Medicine, United States Animal Health Association, American Academy of Microbiology, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

James W. Patterson

Dr. Patterson (AUB ’53), 82, Bryant, Ark., died Dec. 10, 2005. Prior to retirement in 1992, he worked for the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service for 28 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Patterson worked for the state of Louisiana in the diagnostic laboratory at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. He was a member of the National Association of Federal Veterinarians.

Dr. Patterson served as a pilot and flight instructor in the Navy from 1943-1947 and in the Navy Reserve from 1951-1957. He attained the rank of lieutenant junior grade. Dr. Patterson’s wife, Dorothy; a son; and two daughters survive him.

Duane R. Peterson

Dr. Peterson (KSU ’45), 84, Stillwater, Okla., died May 31, 2006. He was professor emeritus at Oklahoma State University since 1986. Following graduation, Dr. Peterson taught at the Kansas State University and University of Missouri-Columbia colleges of veterinary medicine. He joined Oklahoma State as a charter faculty member in 1948, presenting the first lecture in the school of veterinary medicine. During Dr. Peterson’s 38-year career at the college, he served as regents service professor, department head of anatomy, and interim dean. He was renowned as the developer of the Peterson eye block procedure.

A past president of the American Association of Veterinary Anatomists and Oklahoma VMA, Dr. Peterson was a representative to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and a member of the International Association of Veterinary Anatomists and served on the executive board of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology. His many honors include the Oklahoma State University Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, Norden Distinguished Teaching Award, and Oklahoma VMA Veterinarian of the Year and President’s awards. Dr. Peterson was honored by the naming of the Peterson Centennial Garden at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine and was co-honored by the naming of the Peterson-Friend Residence Hall at Oklahoma State University.

His wife, Janet, and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma State University Foundation/Dr. Duane Peterson Memorial Fund, c/o College of Veterinary Medicine, Stillwater, OK 74078.

Antonio O. Rodrigues

Dr. Rodrigues (BOM ’52), 84, Kaneohe, Hawaii, died Dec. 11, 2005.

Edward C. Scollon

Dr. Scollon (MSU ’61), 70, Cass City, Mich., died Feb. 24, 2006. He owned a practice in Cass City since 1964. Earlier in his career, Dr. Scollon practiced in Deckerville and Marlette, both in Michigan. He was a member of the Michigan VMA. Dr. Scollon served as Tuscola County (Michigan) commissioner for 10 years, was a member of the county health board, and served as president of the Cass City Schools board of education for eight years. He was also active in the 4-H Club. In 1994, Dr. Scollon was named Cass City Citizen of the Year. He is survived by his wife, Dotty; three daughters; and two sons. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Edward Scollon Foundation, c/o Tuscola County Community Foundation, 317 S. State St., Caro, MI 48723.

Ralph C. Scott

Dr. Scott (CAL ’52), 87, Woodland, Calif., died Jan. 30, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1979, he was a partner at Yolo Veterinary Clinic in Woodland. During retirement, Dr. Scott volunteered in Nicaragua. A World War II veteran, he served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. Dr. Scott was a prisoner of war for more than a year, escaping twice during that time. His wife, Elaine; a son; and a daughter survive him.

Brian J. Smith

Dr. Smith (MSU ’83), 48, McBain, Mich., died Jan. 20, 2006. He owned Stoney Corner Vet Service in McBain for 23 years. Dr. Smith was a member of the Michigan VMA. His wife, Marcia; two daughters; and five sons survive him.

Lisa M. Tedora

Dr. Tedora (VMR ’00), 37, Manassas, Va., died April 22, 2006. She practiced at Animal Emergency Hospital & Referral Center in Leesburg, Va. A member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, Dr. Tedora also founded Creature Comforts Veterinary Care, a home-based acupuncture business.

Memorials (with checks payable to “VA Tech Inc.” and the memo line notated “Memorial—Lisa Tedora/Vet Med”) may be sent to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Development Office-0442, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Wendy A. Wallner

Dr. Wallner (FL ’89), 53, Loganville, Ga., died March 13, 2006. She was the founder of At-Home Veterinary Services, a small animal house-call practice, servicing the metro Atlanta area. Dr. Wallner also owned a kennel, Whirlwind Boxers, breeding and showing Boxers. Earlier in her career, she practiced in Gainesville, Fla.

Dedicated to health and welfare issues of Boxers, Dr. Wallner conducted research and wrote several articles on the subjects. She served on the board of trustees of the American Boxer Charitable Foundation and was a member of the American and Georgia Boxer clubs. Memorials may be made to the Wendy A. Wallner Memorial Scholarship Fund, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100125, Gainesville, FL 32610; or American Boxer Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 8667, Spokane, WA 99203.

John E. Whitehead

Dr. Whitehead (UP ’52), 82, Spring Hill, Fla., died June 10, 2006. From 1954-1976, he was chief of staff and director of the Henry Bergh Memorial Hospital of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York. During his tenure at the hospital, Dr. Whitehead developed an internship/residency program, established a department of laboratory animal medicine and a laboratory animal technician training program, and published a laboratory animal newsletter, Vivarial News.

A charter member and past president of the American Society for Veterinary Ophthalmology, he was also a founder and past president of the Society for International Veterinary Symposia. Dr. Whitehead was a member of the New York State VMS, New Jersey VMA, and VMA of New York City. He also served as president of the Northern New Jersey VMA. In 1998, Dr. Whitehead received the VMA of NYC’s Distinguished Life Service Award.

A World War II veteran, he served in the Army Air Corps. Dr. Whitehead’s wife, Eileen, and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Hernando-Pasco Inc., 12107 Majestic Blvd., Hudson, FL 34667.

Lori E. Wolf

Dr. Wolf (CAL ’87), 47, Wellington, Fla., died March 21, 2006. An equine practitioner, she split her practice between Wellington and Mount Albert, Ontario, Canada. A member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Dr. Wolf was a competitive dressage rider.


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
Department 20-1122
P.O. Box 5940
Carol Stream, IL 60197-5940
www.avmf.org