Obituaries
AVMA member
AVMA honor roll member
Nonmember
Thomas A. Carlson
Dr. Carlson (ISU ’88), 47, Omaha, Neb., died July 22, 2006. He was director of new products for Lloyd Inc., a pharmaceutical company in Shenandoah, Iowa, since 2004. Prior to that, Dr. Carlson was director of veterinary affairs for Biocor Animal Health in Omaha. During his career, he also served as a senior administrator for the Animal Emergency Clinic of Omaha, was an instructor at Omaha College of Health Careers, and owned a practice in Omaha. Having also earned a law degree, Dr. Carlson served as a medical and legal consultant for a clinic in California.
Memorials may be made to Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011.
Peter C. Kennedy
Dr. Kennedy (KSU ’49), 83, Davis, Calif., died Aug. 2, 2006. He was professor emeritus of pathology at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kennedy began his career in 1953 at UC-Davis, where he helped found the Department of Pathology. He also served as chief of service of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital’s Pathology Service from its inception in 1969 until 1981. Dr. Kennedy conducted research that developed and expanded basic knowledge of fetal and endocrine pathology. He was instrumental in identifying the importance of the fetal ruminant pituitary-adrenal axis as the triggering mechanism for parturition. Dr. Kennedy also helped define the morphologic and endocrine factors involved with prolonged gestation in ruminants.
Known also for his diagnostic skills, he recognized and described several diseases and syndromes, including Hemophilus agni septicemia, colitis in Boxers, insulin-producing pancreatic endocrine tumors, cerebellar hypoplasia in horses, behavioral changes associated with ovarian tumors in mares, and ram epididymitis. A diplomate and past president of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, Dr. Kennedy served as a consultant to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. He co-authored the textbook “Pathology of Domestic Animals.”
Dr. Kennedy received several honors, including two UC-Davis Golden Boot awards for outstanding clinical teaching and mentorship in anatomic pathology, and the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award. His wife, Irene, survives him. Memorials may be made to the Peter C. Kennedy Endowed Fellowship, c/o Dean’s Office, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC-Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
Patrick J. Knapman
Dr. Knapman (MSU ’77), 52, Jackson, N.J., died Aug. 28, 2006. He owned an equine practice in Jackson for 17 years and served as veterinary coordinator for the Monmouth County Department of Health, Office of Emergency Management. Prior to that, Dr. Knapman was head veterinarian for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari theme park. Early in his career, he worked at the New Jersey Equine Clinic in Millstone Township.
President of the New Jersey Equine Practitioners Association since 2004, Dr. Knapman was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and New Jersey VMA. He was also a member of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and the U.S. Trotting Association and a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Dr. Knapman is survived by his wife, Frances. Memorials may be made to Monmouth County SPCA, Spay and Neuter Clinic, 360 Wall Road, Eatontown, NJ 07724.
Raymond A. Kuzewski
Dr. Kuzewski (MSU ’49), 85, Presque Isle, Mich., died June 17, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1980, he owned Ash Veterinary Clinic in Carleton, Mich. Dr. Kuzewski also assisted with the animals at the Monroe County Fair. He was a veteran of the Army Veterinary Corps. Dr. Kuzewski served on the Airport Community Schools Board of Education and as president of the Carleton Rotary Club. His wife, Elizabeth; a son; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to Sunrise Hospice of Northeast Michigan, 109 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena, MI 49707; or Ladies Guild or Music Department, St. Michael Catholic Church, Monroe, MI 48161.
Clifford E. Loomis
Dr. Loomis (ILL ’52), 87, Ottawa, Ill., died June 7, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1990, he owned Loomis Veterinary Clinic in Ottawa. Dr. Loomis also served as administrator of the La Salle County Animal Control for 16 years. He was an Army veteran of World War II, attaining the rank of major.
Dr. Loomis was a member of the Illinois State VMA, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. A past president of Ottawa’s elementary school and hospital board of directors, he also served on the Ottawa Police and Fire Commission. His son and daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 606 W. Glen Ave., Peoria, IL 61614.
Paul E. Meckley
Dr. Meckley (UP ’68), 62, Newark, Del., died May 14, 2006. Prior to retirement in 2000, he was a professor and conducted research at the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Department of Animal and Food Science. Earlier, Dr. Meckley served as director of laboratory animal care at the university. He was a member of the Delaware VMA. Dr. Meckley’s wife, Adrienne; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245.
Richard C. Newsham
Dr. Newsham (UP ’50), 88, Seven Lakes, N.C., died Sept. 6, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1980, he practiced in Gettysburg, Pa., for 29 years. Dr. Newsham was a past president of the Gettysburg School Board. His wife, Lois; a daughter; and two sons survive him.
Robert W. Nichols
Dr. Nichols (UP ’41), 91, Skaneateles, N.Y., died June 30, 2006. He retired in 1995 from Nichols Veterinary Hospital in Skaneateles, a practice he established in 1946. Earlier in his career, Dr. Nichols practiced in Connecticut and Maine.
A member of the New York State VMS, he served on the New York State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from 1968-1975. Dr. Nichols helped establish the Cornell Research Laboratory for Diseases of the Dog. He was the founder and a past president of the New York State Horse Council’s Competitive Trail Ride. In 1992, Dr. Nichols was named Horseperson of the Year by the NYSHC.
He is survived by two sons and three daughters. Dr. Nichols’ son, Dr. Robert W. Nichols Jr. (COR ’74), has owned Nichols Veterinary Hospital since 1980, and his grandson, Dr. Robert W. Nichols III (COR ’03), is an assistant director in the AVMA Governmental Relations Division in Washington, D.C. Memorials may be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles, 97 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, NY 13152.
Glenn R. Noffsinger
Dr. Noffsinger (GA ’57), 81, Middleburg, Va., died Sept. 1, 2006. Prior to retirement, he owned practices in Springfield, Alexandria, and Woodbridge, all in Virginia, for 45 years. During retirement, Dr. Noffsinger raised Thoroughbred horses and Angus cattle. A past president of the Virginia VMA, he was instrumental in securing state support to establish the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University of Maryland. Dr. Noffsinger also funded an endowed scholarship at Virginia Tech.
In 1998, he was named Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian by the VVMA. That same year, Dr. Noffsinger was inducted into the John N. Dalton Society, an organization that recognizes service to Virginia Tech and the veterinary profession. He was a charter member of the Springfield Rotary Club and chaired the club’s Springfield Polio Plus Campaign. Dr. Noffsinger’s wife, Dixie; two sons; a daughter; a stepson; and a stepdaughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Middleburg Baptist Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 311, Middleburg, VA 20118.
Alfred N. Poindexter Jr.
Dr. Poindexter (KSU ’45), 85, Houston, died Aug. 19, 2006. He was professor emeritus of animal science in the College of Agriculture and Human Science at Prairie View A&M University since 2004. Dr. Poindexter was also in mixed practice during his 59-year teaching career at the university. He co-founded the Prairie View Trail Ride, part of the annual Houston Livestock Show. In 1996, Dr. Poindexter was inducted into the Texas Heritage Hall of Fame. His wife, Rachael; two sons; and three daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Prairie View A&M University A.N. Poindexter Scholarship Fund, Office of Development, Prairie View A&M University, P.O. Box 519—mail stop #1215, Prairie View, TX 77446.
Robert R. Robinson
Dr. Robinson (CAL ’54), 80, Riverside, Calif., died July 28, 2006. In 1961, he established a small animal clinic in Riverside, practicing there for more than 30 years. Dr. Robinson also served part time as veterinarian at the University of California-Riverside. Early in his career, he owned dairy practices in the Anaheim and Chino areas of California. Dr. Robinson was a member of the California and Orange Belt VMAs. His wife, Margaret; two sons; and a daughter survive him.
Harvey L. Rubin
Dr. Rubin (AUB ’39), 92, Kissimmee, Fla., died Sept. 14, 2006. He was senior consultant for veterinary affairs for the Florida VMA. Dr. Rubin worked for the Florida Department of Agriculture as chief of the Bureau of Diagnostic Laboratories and director of the Kissimmee Diagnostic Laboratory from 1978-1998. Following graduation, he was an instructor at Texas A&M University for two years. From 1942-1968, Dr. Rubin served in the Army Veterinary Corps, attaining the rank of colonel. He then joined the Florida Department of Agriculture as director of the Live Oak Diagnostic Laboratory.
A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Dr. Rubin was a past president of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, American Leptospirosis Research Conference, and Osceola County VMA. A life member and past treasurer of the Florida VMA, he served on its executive board and several of its committees. Dr. Rubin was also a member of the United States Animal Health Association, Florida Cattlemen’s Association, United States Association of Military Surgeons, and American Association of Veterinary Toxicologists. Active in civic life, he served as president of the Rotary Club of Live Oak and on the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Rubin received several honors, including the Florida VMA Veterinarian of the Year, Distinguished Service, and Lifetime Achievement awards. He also received three of the association’s Gold Star awards, for outstanding contributions to veterinary medicine. Dr. Rubin was the recipient of the AAVLD’s E.P. Pope Memorial Award and awards from the Florida Cattlemen’s Institute. His military honors included the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster and an Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Dr. Rubin is survived by his son, Dr. Hardin E. Rubin (OSU ’77), who is a veterinarian in Charlotte, N.C. Memorials may be made to The Harvey Rubin Memorial Fund for Excellence in Animal Medical care, c/o Florida Veterinary Medical Association Foundation, 7131 Lake Ellenor Dr., Orlando, FL 32809.
Merton J. Silver
Dr. Silver (CAL ’53), 83, Palm Desert, Calif., died June 16, 2006. Prior to retirement, he owned Shuttuck Veterinary Hospital in Berkeley, Calif. Earlier in his career, Dr. Silver practiced in Lafayette and Merced, both in California. He was a member of the California VMA. A veteran of the Army Air Force, Dr. Silver flew B-26 airplanes in the African, Middle Eastern, and European theaters. He attained the rank of second lieutenant. Dr. Silver’s wife, Rita; three daughters; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to Visiting Nurses Hospice, 42600 Cook St., Suite 202, Palm Desert, CA 92211.
Scott Storandt
Dr. Storandt (PUR ’00), 40, Georgetown, Ind., died July 15, 2006. A captain in the Army Veterinary Corps, he served as a military veterinarian at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam until June 2006. Prior to that, Dr. Storandt was on active duty for a year in Iraq, earning a Bronze Star for his service. Early in his career, he served as public health officer and veterinarian for North Slope Borough in Barrow, Alaska.
Dr. Storandt’s wife, Dr. Julie Storandt (PUR ’01); a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials with checks payable to the Purdue Foundation/Scott Storandt Memorial Fund may be made to Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, Lynn Hall, Room 1177A, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907.
Albert C. Strafuss
Dr. Strafuss (KSU ’54), 78, Lawrence, Kan., died May 28, 2006. He retired from Kansas State University as a professor of veterinary pathology in 1992. Earlier in his career, Dr. Strafuss was a member of the veterinary faculties at Iowa State University and the University of Missouri. He authored the textbook “Procedures and Basic Diagnostic Methods for Practicing Veterinarians.” Dr. Strafuss also served as author and contributing editor for an avian disease manual.
His wife, Anne Marie; four daughters; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist School, c/o Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 1003 E. John L. Williams Drive, Eudora, KS 66025.
Michael Szabuniewicz
Dr. Szabuniewicz (LVIV ’34), 96, Bryan, Texas, died Aug. 16, 2006. He was professor emeritus at Texas A&M University since 1975. Prior to joining the veterinary faculty at TAMU in 1962, Dr. Szabuniewicz was in meat inspection and served as a field veterinarian for the Department of Agriculture in Tennessee. Early in his career, he worked in the former Belgian Congo. During retirement, Dr. Szabuniewicz taught in Iran and Venezuela.
A World War II veteran, he served in the Polish Army. For his service in the Congo, the King of Belgium bestowed upon Dr. Szabuniewicz the Royal Order of the Lion, the country’s highest civilian award. His two sons survive him. One son, Dr. J.M. Szabuniewicz (TEX ’73), is a veterinarian in Weatherford, Texas. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 603 Church Ave., College Station, TX 77840.
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