Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Norman Ackerman

Dr. Ackerman (AUB ’66), 65, Huntsville, Ala., died Jan. 13, 2008. A diplomate and past president of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, Dr. Ackerman served on the veterinary faculty of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine until 1994. Following graduation, Dr. Ackerman worked as base veterinarian for the U.S. Air Force in Japan and Thailand for three years. He then served as an assistant professor of radiology on the veterinary faculties of the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of California-Davis.

In 1979, Dr. Ackerman joined the University of Florida as a professor of veterinary radiology, retiring 15 years later as chief of the college’s radiology service. He subsequently practiced in Louisville, Ky., and Huntsville. Dr. Ackerman also taught when needed at the University of Florida, Louisiana State University, and the University of Oregon. He was a member of the Radiological Society of North America and the Association of Military Surgeons. Dr. Ackerman co-authored two editions of the textbook “Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasonography.”

His wife, Lourdes; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials notated to the “Ackerman Memorial” may be made to the University of Florida Foundation Inc., Development Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 100125, Gainesville, FL 32610.

Colden C. Boyle

Dr. Boyle (CAL ’64), 67, Harrison, Ark., died Dec. 11, 2007. He bred Charolais cattle in Harrison since 1992. Following graduation, Dr. Boyle worked as a senior assistant veterinary officer for the U.S. Public Health Service. He then served as associate veterinarian at Humburg Animal Hospital in Concord, Calif. From 1967-1983, Dr. Boyle owned practices in California at San Clemente, Alturas, and Redwood Valley. He later served as an instructor of biological sciences at Mendocino College in Ukiah, Calif., and Central Oregon Community College in Bend.

Dr. Boyle was a member of the Arkansas, Oregon, and California VMAs, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. He was past president of the Orange County and Meno-Lake VMAs, a past director of the American Animal Hospital Association, and a past counselor of the Southern California VMA.

Dr. Boyle’s wife, Judy, survives him. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368.

Mark E. Davenport

Dr. Davenport (OSU ’51), 89, Venice, Fla., died March 19, 2008. He retired at the end of 1980 as director of veterinary research and development at G.D. Searle & Company, Des Plaines, Ill., after working there 15 years. Dr. Davenport came to Searle from Armour Pharmaceutical Company, Kankakee, Ill., where he had been director of veterinary research since graduation.

A charter member of what is now known as the American Association of Corporate and Public Practice Veterinarians, he was also a member of the Illinois State VMA. Dr. Davenport was a past president and secretary of the Chicago VMA.

He and his wife, Lavina—who was liaison between the AVMA and its Auxiliary while serving as the Auxiliary’s first executive secretary and then as a member of the AVMA staff—attended 50 AVMA Annual Conventions, from 1950 through 1999. Lavina survives him.

Carolyn C. Hansen-Connors

Dr. Hansen-Connors (WSU ’00), 39, Sebastian, Fla., died Oct. 26, 2007. She practiced at the Coral Springs Animal Hospital in Coral Springs, Fla., since 2002. Prior to that, Dr. Hansen-Connors worked for the Broward County Humane Society.

A. Roger Harder

Dr. Harder (WSU ’61), 71, Veradale, Wash., died Feb. 7, 2008. In 1966, he established Garland Animal Clinic in Spokane, Wash., practicing there for 33 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Harder practiced in Cheney, Wash., for four years. He was a past president of the Washington State and Inland Empire VMAs. Active in civic life, Dr. Harder was a member of the Cheney School Board and Spokane County Boundary Review Board.

His wife, Orene; two sons; and a daughter survive him. Dr. Harder’s son-in-law, Dr. Andrew P. DeMarco (WSU ’03), is a veterinarian in Wenatchee, Wash. Memorials may be made to Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, One Intrepid Square, W. 46th St. and 12th Ave., New York, NY 10036; or The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 E. 56th St., New York, NY 10022.

Norris J. Hyde

Dr. Hyde (ISU ’54), 83, Ola, Idaho, died Nov. 9, 2007. From 1961 until retirement in 2004, he practiced mixed animal medicine at the Animal Medical Center in Emmett, Idaho. Prior to that, Dr. Hyde practiced in Preston, Idaho. During his career, he also served as track veterinarian for Les Bois Race Track in Boise, Idaho, for 10 years. In 2005, Dr. Hyde was inducted into the Idaho Quarter Horse Association Racing Hall of Fame. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II. Dr. Hyde’s wife, Norma; three sons; a stepson; and a stepdaughter survive him. One son, Dr. Alan J. Hyde (WSU ’80), practices at the Animal Medical Center in Emmett.

William J. Lazenby

Dr. Lazenby (GA ’76), 56, Fort Lawn, S.C., died Sept. 17, 2007. He owned Fort Lawn Animal Clinic, a mixed animal practice that he established in 1978. Earlier in his career, Dr. Lazenby practiced at Ebenezer Animal Hospital in Rock Hill, S.C. He was a past president of the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians and received the Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2004. In 2008, the SCAV posthumously named Dr. Lazenby its Distinguished Veterinarian for 2007.

Active in civic life, he was chairman of the Chester County Rural Fire Board and former chair of the Chester County Planning Commission. Dr. Lazenby’s wife, Gweneth; a son; and a daughter survive him.

Earl E. Lutz

Dr. Lutz (IL ’52), 94, Bloomington, Ill., died March 23, 2008. Following graduation, he joined Johnson & Johnson and worked in the pharmaceutical industry his whole career in quality control, research, and consultation. Dr. Lutz served in the Army during World War II, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. He received a Purple Heart for his service during the Battle of the Bulge. Dr. Lutz was active with the Boy Scouts of America.

He is survived by a son and a daughter. Dr. Lutz’s son, Dr. Wayne E. Lutz (IL ’64), is a veterinarian in San Jose, Ill. Memorials may be made to the Lutz Endowment Fund, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802; or Centennial Christian Church, 1219 E. Grove St., Bloomington, IL 61701.

Mason L. Matthews

Dr. Matthews (TEX ’48), 84, San Antonio, died Feb. 5, 2008. Prior to retirement in 1995, he practiced large and exotic animal medicine in the San Antonio area. Earlier in his career, Dr. Matthews worked for the Department of Agriculture in meat inspection. During that time, he traveled to Mexico to help eradicate foot-and-mouth disease. From 1967-1976, Dr. Matthews also served part time as veterinarian at the San Antonio Zoo.

He was a past president of the Bexar County VMA, past treasurer of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, and past member of the Texas VMA Ethics Committee. Dr. Matthews authored the book “The Horse that Fell Through the Stage, and Other Tales of a Texas Veterinarian.” He is survived by his wife, Joanne; two sons; and a daughter. One son, Dr. Hugh R. Matthews (ROS ’85), is a veterinarian in Emmitsburg, Md. Memorials may be made to Alamo Heights Presbyterian Church, 6201 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX 78209.

Rick K. Pickard

Dr. Pickard (OKL ’74), 64, Tulsa, Okla., died Sept. 22, 2007. He practiced in Tulsa for more than 30 years. Dr. Pickard was a veteran of the Air Force. His wife, Beverly, and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to All Saints Procathedral, Tulsa, OK 74137.

Edward F. Ptacek

Dr. Ptacek (KSU ’52), 86, Ellsworth, Kan., died Feb. 15, 2008. Prior to retirement, he owned Ellsworth Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Ptacek was a lifetime member and past president of the Kansas VMA. He was also a past president of the Ellsworth Kiwanis. Dr. Ptacek’s wife, Mildred; a daughter; and two sons survive him. One son and a niece, Drs. Edward L. Ptacek (KSU ’82) and Katherine M. Mountain (KSU ’04), are veterinarians in Gun Barrel City, Texas, and Ellinwood, Kan., respectively. Memorials to the Ellsworth Kiwanis or St. Bernard’s Catholic Church may be made c/o Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

Ernest E. Saulmon

Dr. Saulmon (OSU ’35), 94, Arlington, Va., died March 25, 2008. Prior to retirement in the mid 1970s, he served as deputy administrator for Veterinary Services at the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Dr. Saulmon began his 38-year career with the USDA in the former Bureau of Animal Industry. In 1947, he became a member of the American team that helped stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Mexico. Dr. Saulmon then worked in supervisory positions in Louisiana and Washington, D.C.

From 1965-1967, he served as deputy director of science and education for the USDA. Dr. Saulmon was then named director of the Animal Health Division in the USDA Agricultural Research Service. In 1970, he was reassigned as deputy administrator for Veterinary Services at the newly formed APHIS. A member of the National Association of Federal Veterinarians, Dr. Saulmon served as its delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates in 1958 and from 1969-1974. He was twice elected to the AVMA Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine, serving from 1968-1978. Dr. Saulmon served as the USDA representative to the White House Conference on Health from 1965-1967, and was a member of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for more than 10 years. He was also a member of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Apollo Lunar Quarantine Operations Team.

A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and a past president of the District of Columbia VMA, Dr. Saulmon was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the U.S. Animal Health Association, the Washington Academy of Science, and Washington’s Cosmos Club. He was also a member of the science advisory committees of the Pan-American Health Organization’s Zoonoses Center and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center.

In 1968, Dr. Saulmon received The Ohio State University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was the recipient of the AVMA Public Service Award in 1973. Dr. Saulmon’s wife, Catharine; a son; and three daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to Clarendon United Methodist Church, 606 N. Irving St., Arlington, VA 22201; Arlington Chapter of the American Red Cross, 4333 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203; or the Arlington Outdoor Education Association, P.O. Box 5646, Arlington, VA 22205.

William T. Tollefson

Dr. Tollefson (COL ’64), 72, Sonoita, Ariz., died Sept. 17, 2007.

Calvin F. Wallace

Dr. Wallace (TEX ’51), 82, Corpus Christi, Texas, died March 2, 2008. From 1972 until retirement in 2004, he owned South Staples Animal Hospital in Corpus Christi. Earlier in his career, Dr. Wallace owned practices in Texas at Cuero and Goliad. He was a member of the American Heartworm Society, American Animal Hospital Association, and Texas VMA. Dr. Wallace served in the Army Air Corps. His wife, Janice; nine daughters; and a son survive him.