Obituaries

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Gerald J. Crawley

Dr. Crawley (ISU '62), 76, Mukwonago, Wis., died Jan. 16, 2011. Retired since 2000, he had practiced mixed animal medicine at Tri County Veterinary in Mukwonago with his brother, Dr. John E. Crawley (now deceased). During retirement, Dr. Crawley worked as a federal meat inspector for three years. Early in his career, he taught at Iowa State University and served as a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps. Dr. Crawley was a founder of the Waukesha Emergency Veterinary Clinic. Active in civic life, he volunteered with the Boy Scouts and 4-H Club; was a member of the Mukwonago School Board; served as a volunteer with the Big Bend-Vernon Volunteer Fire Department; and was a past president of the Vernon Town Board. Dr. Crawley's wife, Dana; three sons; and three daughters survive him.

David P. Kaiser

Dr. Kaiser (KSU '65), 76, Hartford, S.D., died March 28, 2011. Prior to retirement in 1998, he was circuit supervisor with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in South Dakota. Following graduation, Dr. Kaiser worked in Indianola, Iowa. He then owned a practice in Humeston, Iowa, until 1977, when he joined the USDA. During his federal career, he worked in Nebraska at Lexington and Madison before moving to South Dakota in 1983. Dr. Kaiser was a veteran of the Army. His wife, Lois; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Hartford United Methodist Church, 102 E. 2nd St., Hartford, SD 57033; or Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090.

Jessica G. LaRock

Dr. LaRock (CAL '90), 49, Casa Grande, Ariz., died March 26, 2011. A small animal veterinarian, she practiced in Casa Grande. Earlier in her career, Dr. LaRock worked in Madison, Wis., Rio Rancho, N.M., and Redding, Calif. She was dedicated to the issue of pain management, especially in surgical patients. Dr. LaRock was a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Arizona VMA. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard LaRock (CAL '80), who is a veterinary pathologist. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Robert A. Latham

Dr. Latham (IL '52), 88, Erie, Ill., died April 12, 2011. Prior to retirement in 2001, he was a partner in a small animal and equine practice in Erie. Dr. Latham also practiced part time in Hampton, Ill., for a few years, and served as a track veterinarian at East Moline Downs in the '90s. He was a past president of the Illinois State VMA, Illinois Academy of Veterinary Medicine, and Mississippi Valley VMA. Dr. Latham was also a past president of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association, receiving its Merit Award in 1980. In 1982, he was honored with an ISVMA Veterinary Service Award. Dr. Latham served on the Erie Elementary School Board and was a trustee for the Erie Public Library. He served in the Navy during World War II. His wife, LaVonne; three sons; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 602 3rd Ave. S., Cordova, IL 61242; Erie Ambulance Service, 400 7th Ave., Erie, IL 61250; or University of Illinois Foundation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, IL 61802.

John D. Murray

Dr. Murray (COR '39), 98, Keuka Park, N.Y., died Feb. 25, 2011. During his career, he practiced in Westfield, Pa., and Painted Post, N.Y., also co-founding a small animal hospital in Corning, N.Y. Dr. Murray was a past president of the New York State VMS and Southern Tier VMA. He served as New York's delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates from 1963-1971. Dr. Murray was awarded distinguished membership by the NYSVMS in 1981 and was a recipient of the society's Distinguished Life Service Award in 1997. In 1996, a lecture hall in the Veterinary Education Center at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine was named for him. Dr. Murray is survived by two sons. Memorials may be made to Hospeace House, 7824 W. Hollow Road, Naples, NY 14512.

Norman A. Rothenberg

Dr. Rothenberg (COL '49), 89, Grass Valley, Calif., died Feb. 24, 2011. A mixed animal practitioner, he owned Animal Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif., from 1981 until retirement in 1984. During retirement, Dr. Rothenberg served as an inspector for the California Veterinary Medical Board. Earlier in his career, he owned a practice in Victorville, Calif.; practiced small animal medicine at the Ambassador Hospital in Los Angeles; and served as a partner in Sherman Way Animal Hospital in North Hollywood, Calif., and Animal Medical Center in Van Nuys, Calif.

Dr. Rothenberg was a past president of the San Fernando Valley VMA, served on the Southern California VMA board of trustees from 1967-1973, and was a member of the California VMA board of governors from 1973-1976. He was treasurer of the CVMA from 1981-1982 and was named a distinguished life member in 1986. In 1989, Dr. Rothenberg served as a representative of the International Executive Service Corporation in Jamaica, where he assisted in improving veterinary practice and management. He was also a volunteer veterinarian for the Yukon Quest in the mid '90s. Active in civic life, Dr. Rothenberg was a past president of the Victorville chapters of the Rotary Club and American Cancer Society. His wife, Jone, and three sons survive him. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association of Northern California, 1060 La Avenida St., Mountain View, CA 94043.

G. Dale Smith

Dr. Smith (WSU '52), 86, New Meadows, Idaho, died March 24, 2011. He owned a mixed animal practice in Meadows Valley, Idaho, for 32 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Smith worked for NASA in Washington, D.C., and Ames, Iowa, and served as program manager of environmental physiology and primate space experiments at the University of California-Berkeley. His wife, Vera, and three children survive him.

Paul L. Thompson

Dr. Thompson (ISU '49), 90, New Glarus, Wis., died Feb. 20, 2011. Prior to retirement in 1988, he practiced large animal medicine in Argyle, Wis. Dr. Thompson was a member of the Wisconsin VMA, receiving a 50-year Award in 2001. A veteran of the Army Air Corps, he attained the rank of 2nd lieutenant and was a member of the American Legion. Active in civic life, Dr. Thompson served on the Argyle School Board. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, and a daughter. Memorials may be made to The New Glarus Home, 600 2nd Ave., New Glarus, WI 53574; Argyle Lutheran Church, 100 East St., Argyle, WI 53504; or American Legion, 2930 American Legion Drive, P.O. Box 388, Portage, WI 53901.

Gerald L. Thorington

Dr. Thorington (COR '52), 90, Rushford, N.Y., died Feb. 2, 2011. He owned Rushford Veterinary Clinic and a dairy farm in Rushford. Dr. Thorington was a past president of the New York State VMS. He was also a past president of the Rushford Board of Education and a member of the Fillmore Rotary Club. Dr. Thorington was an Army veteran and a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His two sons and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Ischua Union Church, 5623 Route 16, Ischua, NY 14743; or Rushford Free Library Box 8, Rushford, NY 14777.

Otto K. Van Roekel

Dr. Van Roekel (ISU '51), 88, Aledo, Ill., died April 1, 2011. He practiced food animal and small animal medicine in Aledo for 44 years. Dr. Van Roekel also conducted research on swine cervical abscesses and swine respiratory disease treatment and served as a federal inspector for a local turkey processing operation. He was a member of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and Kiwanis Club. Dr. Van Roekel was a Navy veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie; a son; and a daughter. Memorials toward the Food Animal Scholarship Fund may be made to Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011.

Ronald W. Williams

Dr. Williams (AUB '85), 51, Vienna, Ga., died April 3, 2011. A mixed animal practitioner, he was a partner at Dockery, Williams, Odom, and Deriso in Albany, Ga. Dr. Williams served on the board of directors for the Southwest Georgia Easter Seal Society from 1996-1998. A past president of the Artesian City Sertoma Club, he was named Sertoman of the Year in 1994. Dr. Williams' wife, Debbie; two daughters; a son; and a stepdaughter survive him.

Abram J. Zehr

Dr. Zehr (COR '60), 75, Watertown, N.Y., died March 14, 2011. A mixed animal practitioner, he owned a practice in Watertown. Earlier in his career, Dr. Zehr practiced in New York state at Lowville and Mexico. He served in the Army and attained the rank of captain. Dr. Zehr was a member of the Jefferson County VMA. He is survived by his wife, Ardeth; three daughters; and a son. Memorials may be made to Brownville United Methodist Church, 311 Brown Blvd., Brownville, NY 13634; or Jefferson County Hospice, 425 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.


Your assistance is needed to ensure timely publication of obituaries. Please report the death of a veterinarian promptly to the AVMA News Staff via a toll-free phone call at (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6754; newsatavma [dot] org (email); or fax at (847) 925-9329.


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
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