Obituaries

Published on
information-circle This article is more than 3 years old

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Thomas Burton

Dr. Burton (CAL ’57), 82, Lompoc, Calif., died Feb. 5, 2008. In 1958, he established the Lompoc Veterinary Clinic, practicing small animal medicine until his retirement in 1996. Dr. Burton was a past president of the Tri-Valley VMA. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army from 1944-1946. Active with the Boy Scouts of America, Dr. Burton was awarded the Good Shepherd Cross and Staff for distinguished service. His wife, Carol; two daughters; and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to the World Vision Childcare Sponsorship, P.O. Box 70399, Tacoma, WA 98481; or Christian Veterinary Mission, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133.

John S. Butts

Dr. Butts (MSU ’53), 91, Owenton, Ky., died Jan. 19, 2008. He practiced in Kentucky’s Owen County for more than 50 years. Dr. Butts was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European theatre. He was named Owen Countian of the Year in 1972 for his community service, which included serving on the 4-H Club council and as a drug and alcohol awareness speaker for the Temperance League. Dr. Butts is survived by two daughters. Memorials may be made to Long Ridge Baptist Church, Highway 127 N., Owenton, KY 40359.

Kenneth F. Detlefsen

Dr. Detlefsen (MIN ’62), 77, Red Wing, Minn., died Jan. 19, 2008. From 1981 until retirement in 2001, he owned Bluffs Pet Clinic in Red Wing. Earlier in his career, Dr. Detlefsen was part owner of Hiawatha Valley Veterinary Clinic in Red Wing. He was a member of the Minnesota VMA and the American Animal Hospital Association.

Dr. Detlefsen served in the Army during the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Laverne; a daughter; and a son.

Karl Mayer

Dr. Mayer (COR ’40), 94, Tacoma, Wash., died Feb. 7, 2008. He owned Almar Animal Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y., from 1972 until retirement in 1981. Following graduation, Dr. Mayer practiced at Barrett and Noonan Veterinarians in Akron, Ohio. From 1945-1953, he was in private practice in Huntington, W.Va. Dr. Mayer then worked at the North Shore Animal Hospital in Evanston, Ill., for a year. From 1954-1956, he served as editor of the North American Veterinarian. Dr. Mayer next worked in an editorial capacity at Pitman-Moore Company in Indianapolis for seven years. From 1963-1972, he served as editor and chief medical writer in the Department of Drugs at the American Medical Association.

Dr. Mayer’s son and daughter survive him.

Donald D. Mickey

Dr. Mickey (OSU ’59), 81, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, died Feb. 1, 2008. He practiced mixed animal medicine in the central Ohio area for 45 years. Dr. Mickey was a member of the Ohio VMA. A World War II veteran, he served in the Marines. Dr. Mickey is survived by his wife, Ruth; two sons; and a daughter. Memorials may be made to the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, 1636 Graham Road, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.

Donald W. Mills

Dr. Mills (KSU ’50), 86, Salina, Kan., died Jan. 4, 2008. From 1957 until retirement in 1980, he worked for the Department of Agriculture. Dr. Mills began his career at the USDA in animal disease control and poultry and meat inspection, serving as inspector in charge in Evansville, Ind., and Dakota City, Neb. In 1967, he transferred to veterinary biologics inspection in Ames, Iowa, and was named regional biologics specialist in 1973. Based in Indianapolis, Dr. Mills was responsible for the inspection of 23 production facilities in 19 northeastern states. Prior to joining the USDA, he practiced in Illinois and Indiana.

Dr. Mills served in the Army from 1942-1945. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dr. Mills is survived by a son. Memorials may be made to Frankfort United Methodist Church, 410 N. Kansas Ave., Frankfort, KS 66427; Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502; or OCCK Transportation Services, 1710 W. Schilling Road, Salina, KS 67401.

Stephen S. Selfon

Dr. Selfon (MSU ’72), 58, White Lake, Mich., died Nov. 8, 2007. He owned Roadside Veterinary Clinic in Highland, Mich., for 23 years. During his career, Dr. Selfon also practiced at Center Line Veterinary Clinic in Center Line, Mich., for seven years. He was a member of the Michigan and Southeastern Michigan VMAs.

Dr. Selfon’s wife, Maureen, and two sons survive him. His nephew, Marc Hirshenson, will graduate from Tufts University in 2008. Memorials may be made to the College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Alumni Relations and Development, F130 Veterinary Medical Center, East Lansing, MI 48824; or Alzheimer’s Association, 20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076.