Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

George C. Borst

Dr. Borst (MSU ’45), 83, Ashland, Ky., died July 16, 2006.

Dale E. Croxton

Dr. Croxton (MSU ’54), 83, Anderson, Ind., died Nov. 25, 2006. He retired in 1988 as an inspector-in-charge with the Department of Agriculture. Following graduation, Dr. Croxton established a practice in Chesterfield, Ind. In 1971, he joined the USDA as a veterinary meat inspector.

Dr. Croxton was a past chair of the board of directors of the Indiana VMA. A veteran of the Navy, he was a member of the American Legion. Dr. Croxton’s wife, Elizabeth; two sons; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Chesterfield Christian Church, 207 E. Plum St., Chesterfield, IN 46017.

Edward L. Gillette

Dr. Gillette (KSU ’56), 74, Fort Collins, Colo., died Nov. 17, 2006. Professor emeritus at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences since 1998, he retired in 2005 as assistant director of the university’s Animal Cancer Center. Following graduation, Dr. Gillette served in the Army Veterinary Corps. In 1959, he began his career at CSU as an instructor in the Department of Radiology and Radiation Biology. During his more than 45-year tenure at the university, Dr. Gillette developed and directed the comparative oncology unit, chaired the Department of Radiological Health Sciences, and served as associate dean for research. He was named assistant director of the Animal Cancer Center in 1999.

During his career, Dr. Gillette also served as a visiting scientist at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; was adjunct professor of radiation oncology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C; and served as a clinical professor at the University of California-Los Angeles. A charter diplomate and past president of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, and a charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, he served as president of the Veterinary Cancer Society from 1982-1984. He was also a former editor of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology•Biology• Physics, and served on the American Cancer Society’s Scientific Advisory Committee from 1992-1995.

Dr. Gillette generated more than $20 million in research funding, including grants from the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and the National Institutes of Health. He helped pioneer translational research, using spontaneous tumors in dogs to evaluate novel therapeutics.

Dr. Gillette was a member of the Colorado VMA and a past president of the Larimer County VMA. He received several honors, including the American Animal Hospital Association Outstanding Service Award, Colorado State University Honor Alumnus Award, Ralston Purina Small Animal Research Award, and Kansas State University Distinguished Alumnus Medallion Award. In his honor, the CSU-CVMBS renamed the radiology suite at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital the Dr. Edward L. Gillette Radiation Oncology Suite.

Dr. Gillette is survived by his wife, Dr. Sharon M. Gillette (COL ’95), a veterinarian in Fort Collins; three sons; and a daughter. His father-in-law, Dr. Thomas C. McChesney (COL ’44), is a veterinarian in Fort Collins. Memorials may be made to the Edward Gillette Memorial Fund, Animal Cancer Center, Colorado State University Foundation, c/o Nancy Andrews, 500 University Services Center, 7116 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523.

Adalbert Koestner

Dr. Koestner (MUN ’51), 85, Columbus, Ohio, died Aug. 2, 2006. Professor emeritus of veterinary pathology and past chair of the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at The Ohio State University, he retired as chair of the Department of Pathology at Michigan State University in 1989.

Following graduation, Dr. Koestner owned a practice in Untergriesbach, Germany. He moved to the United States in 1955, joining the faculty at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine. During his 26-year tenure at the college, Dr. Koestner served as a professor of veterinary pathology and a clinical professor of medical pathology, and chaired the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology from 1972-1981. In 1981, he was appointed chair of the Department of Pathology at Michigan State University.

A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, Dr. Koestner was known for his expertise in comparative neuropathology, neurotoxicology, and experimental neurocarcinogenesis. He received several honors, including the Weil Award of the American Association of Neuropathologists, the 1979 Gaines Award, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Honorary Veterinary Alumnus Award, and the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

His wife, Heidi, and a daughter survive him. Memorials (notated to the memory of Dr. Adalbert Koestner) may be made c/o Graduate Education Fund, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, 1925 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210.

Stephen M. Nash

Dr. Nash (IL ’94), 38, Pittsfield, Ill., died July 20, 2006. He was a partner at Ghrist Veterinary Clinic in Pittsfield for 10 years. Dr. Nash was a member of the Illinois State VMA and Pike County Ducks Unlimited. His wife, Kara; two daughters; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to Ducks Unlimited, 229 N. 3rd Ave., Canton, IL 61520; or Hospice of Southern Illinois Inc., 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959.

Robert S. Russ

Dr. Russ (WSU ’37), 95, Roseburg, Ore., died Aug. 25, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1972, he worked as a federal veterinarian for the Department of Agriculture in Oregon. Dr. Russ was a lifetime member of the Oregon VMA. A veteran of the Army Veterinary Corps, he attained the rank of captain. Dr. Russ is survived by his wife, Virginia; two sons; and a daughter.

Jerry M. Smith

Dr. Smith (AUB ’67), 66, Ocala, Fla., died Dec. 22, 2006. He owned the Animal Medical Clinic in Ocala for 34 years. Dr. Smith is survived by a daughter. His brother, Dr. C. Perry Smith (AUB ’64), and nephew, Dr. Perry F. Smith (MIS ’91), are veterinarians in Miami and East Palatka, Fla., respectively. Memorials may be made to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit (please indicate K-9 Unit on memo line), 692 N.W. 30th Ave., Ocala, FL 34475.

Lincoln E. Ward

Dr. Ward (OKL ’91), 42, Collinsville, Okla., died July 15, 2006. He was a partner at the Eastside Veterinary Hospital, a mixed practice in Collinsville, since 1993. Earlier in his career, Dr. Ward practiced in the Houston area of Texas. His wife, Ruth, and three sons survive him.

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