Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

E. Hugh Bass

Dr. Bass (AUB ’43), 94, Lucama, N.C., died June 14, 2012. He practiced mixed animal medicine in North Carolina’s Wilson County for 34 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Bass served in the Army Veterinary Corps during World War II. He attained the rank of captain, retiring as the commanding officer of the veterinary inspection service for the state of Michigan. Dr. Bass was a member of the North Carolina VMA and Wilson County VA. He was also a member of several Masonic bodies and the American Legion. Memorials may be made to Westview Christian Church, 1502 S. Raleigh Road, Wilson, NC 27896; or Sudan Temple Crippled Children’s Fund, 403 E. Front St., New Bern, NC 28563.

Harry V. Conley

Dr. Conley (OSU ’56), 84, Indian Lake, Ohio, died March 17, 2012. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Belle Center, Ohio, for more than 50 years. Dr. Conley served several terms on The Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board. A member of the Ohio VMA, he received its Distinguished Service Award in 2007. Active in civic life, Dr. Conley was a member of the Kiwanis Club and served on the Belle Center Village Council for several years, assisting in the develop-ment of the Belle Center emergency medical service. A veteran of the Army, he was also a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dr. Conley is survived by his wife, Lee Ellen; two daughters; and three step-daughters.

David G. Denkers

Dr. Denkers (COL ’68), 69, Salt Lake City, Utah, died May 18, 2012. A small animal practitioner, he owned Denkers Veterinary Hospital in Salt Lake City. Early in his career, Dr. Denkers practiced in Oahu, Hawaii, for two years. He was a past regional director of the American Animal Hospital Association; was a past president of the Utah VMA; and served as Utah’s alternate delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates from 1984-1988 and as delegate from 1988-1992. Dr. Denkers was active with the Masonic Order, Rotary Club, and Ducks Unlimited. His two sons and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, P.O. Box 1874, Bozeman, MT 59771.

Pamela M. Duddy

Dr. Duddy (COR ’91), 47, North Plainfield, N.J., died April 13, 2012. A small animal veterinarian, she practiced at Fanwood Animal Hospital in Fanwood, N.J., for more than 15 years, becoming the owner in 2008. Dr. Duddy also assisted with local rabies clinics and animal shelters. She was active with the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Shelter Animal Resource Alliance, 871 River Road, Eugene, OR 97404; or Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203.

Ordella I. Geisler-Hoffman

Dr. Geisler-Hoffman (KSU ’47), 96, Lincoln, Neb., died April 21, 2012. A mixed animal veterinarian, she owned Geisler Animal Hospital in Lincoln prior to retirement. Dr. Geisler-Hoffman was a member and a past secretary-treasurer of the Nebraska VMA. In 2006, the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and its Veterinary Medical Alumni Association honored her with an Alumni Recognition Award. Dr. Geisler-Hoffman is survived by her sons. Memorials may be made to the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall #300, Lincoln, NE 68508; or Lincoln Children’s Zoo, 1222 S. 27th St., Lincoln, NE 68502.

William H. Hall

Dr. Hall (AUB ’73), 65, Crossville, Tenn., died May 7, 2012. He was a large animal veterinarian. Dr. Hall is survived by his wife, Grace, and two sons.

William H. Hay

Dr. Hay (KSU ’52), 87, Ottawa, Kan., died June 1, 2012. A mixed animal practitioner, he co-founded Ottawa Veterinary Hospital. Early in his career, Dr. Hay taught at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was a member of the American and Kansas Quarter Horse Racing associations, Kansas Horseman’s Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, and Kansas VMA. Dr. Hay is survived by his daughter and his son, Dr. Scott A. Hay (KSU ’88), an equine veterinarian in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Memorials may be made to the AAEP Foundation, c/o Dengel and Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.

Robert H. Hayes

Dr. Hayes (KSU ’52), 88, Manhattan, Kan., died May 6, 2012. Following graduation, he owned a mixed animal practice in Independence, Kan., for 23 years. In 1975, Dr. Hayes returned to Kansas State University, where he earned a doctorate in pathology and toxicology in 1979. He then worked for Mobay Chemical Corporation in Stillwell, Kan., as a research toxicologist until his retirement in 1989. While in Independence, Dr. Hayes was active with the Boy Scouts and the Kiwanis. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Bronze Star. Dr. Hayes is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons; and a daughter.

Paul B. Heinsen

Dr. Heinsen (OSU ’43), 91, Winamac, Ind., died Dec. 17, 2011. During his career, he practiced in St. Marys, Ohio, and in Indiana at Swayze, Kewanna, and Kokomo. Dr. Heinsen served as a captain in the Army during World War II. His son and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Loyce D. Jernigan

Dr. Jernigan (KSU ’45), 88, Council Grove, Kan., died May 16, 2012. A mixed animal practitioner, he owned Jernigan Veterinary Clinic in Council Grove prior to retirement. Dr. Jernigan also served as a Kansas State University field service faculty member for 20 years. Following graduation, he worked for a federal brucellosis laboratory in North Dakota and practiced small animal medicine in Minnesota for a year.

Dr. Jernigan was a past president of the Kansas VMA, served on the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners, and was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and what is now known as the Society for Theriogenology. He received several honors, including the KVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award in 1972 and the E.R. Frank Award from the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Active in civic life, Dr. Jernigan was a member of the local school board, junior chamber of commerce, chamber of commerce, and historical society. He is survived by four sons and a daughter. Two of Dr. Jernigan’s sons, Drs. Douglas K. Jernigan (KSU ’70) and Thomas M. Jernigan (KSU ’79), are veterinarians in Kansas. His cousin, Dr. Norman B. Jernigan (KSU ’65), is a veterinarian in Nebraska.

Edward J. Mahler

Dr. Mahler (KSU ’42), 95, Lakin, Kan., died June 1, 2012. Prior to retirement, he owned a practice in Alisal, Calif., for 25 years, focusing on small animal medicine. During that time, Dr. Mahler organized and conducted rabies clinics in the Salinas Valley. Earlier in his career, he owned practices in Danville, Ill., and in western Kansas. Dr. Mahler was a member of the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree Masons, and Shriners. His two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506.

Roy E. McGraw Jr.

Dr. McGraw (ISU ’57), 82, Essex, Iowa, died Feb. 17, 2012. Prior to retirement in 1996, he owned a practice in Shenandoah, Iowa. Early in his career, Dr. McGraw worked in Creston, Iowa, for a year. He was a veteran of the Army Air Force and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Dr. McGraw is survived by his wife, Wilma; two daughters; and two sons. Memorials may be made to Hospice with Heart, 300 W. Broadway St. 114, Council Bluffs, IA 51503.

George W. Pugh Jr.

Dr. Pugh (TUS ’61), 78, Ames, Iowa, died June 3, 2012. Following graduation and until retirement in 1996, he worked for the National Animal Disease Center of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Ames. Dr. Pugh earned a doctorate in microbiology from Iowa State University in 1971 and was a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists. Known for his expertise in infectious animal diseases, he conducted research in immunity, immunogenicity and vaccines, brucellosis, conjunctivitis, and other diseases. Dr. Pugh served in the Army during the Korean War. His wife, Jeanette; two sons; and two daughters survive him. Memorials toward the William R. Bliss Cancer Center may be made to Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation, 1111 Duff Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

Harry N. Smith

Dr. Smith (COR ’45), 89, Salisbury, Md., died April 15, 2012. During his more than 40-year career, he worked at Walker-Gordon Laboratory Company in Plainsboro, N.J., caring for dairy cows; he owned a large animal practice in New Jersey’s Monmouth County; and he worked as a field veterinarian for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Dr. Smith was known for his knowledge of bovine fertility and frozen artificial insemination of dairy cows. He served on the Coop-erative State-Federal Hog Cholera Task Force, working to eradicate the disease. Dr. Smith was a past member of the Freehold Township Board of Education. His wife, Madlyn; three sons; and a daughter survive him.

R. Leland West Jr.

Dr. West (ISU ’36), 97, Colorado Springs, Colo., died June 9, 2012. From 1977 until retirement in 1987, he was director of what was known as the AVMA Division of Scientific Activities, which is now two divisions—the Education and Research Division and the Scientific Activities Division.

Following graduation and until 1970, Dr. West was in mixed animal practice with his father, Dr. Ralph L. West (KCV ’18), and his brother, Dr. Daniel A. West (MIN ’54), in Waseca, Minn. During that time, he served four years in the Army Veterinary Corps in North Africa, Europe, and the United States, attaining the rank of major. He also field-tested new drugs for pharmaceutical companies, did regulatory work for state and federal agencies and the Army, and served as veterinarian for the Southern Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota. In 1970, he enrolled in Purdue University and earned a master’s in veterinary anatomy in 1972.

Dr. West then joined the AVMA as assistant director of the Division of Scientific Activities. He was instrumental in the development of the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates and what is now known as the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. He was named division director in 1977. During his tenure, the division completed a major veterinary manpower study, adopted animal welfare guiding principles, and provided staff support to the Council on Education, which accredited five more U.S. and two more Canadian colleges.

In 1985, Dr. West was elected AVMA assistant executive vice president.

Dr. West represented Minnesota in the AVMA House of Delegates from 1956-1964, served on the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from 1962-1964, represented District VI on the AVMA Executive Board from 1964-1966, and served on the AVMA Advisory Committee on Animal Technicians from 1965-1971. He represented large animal medicine on the AVMA Council on Education from 1966-1971. The council declared Dec 9, 1986, as R. Leland West’s Day to commemorate his many years of dedicated service to the council and to the AVMA as director of scientific activities.

In 1990, Dr. West received the AVMA Award, the Association’s highest honor, for distinguished contributions to the advancement of organized veterinary medicine.

Dr. West also served on the United States Animal Health Association Committee on Public Relations from 1982-1987. He was a past director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and what is now known as the American Association of Senior Veterinarians. He co-founded the South Central Minnesota VMS and was a life member and past chair of several Minnesota VMA committees. Dr. West was also a member of the American Veterinary Medical History Society, Colorado VMA, and Colorado Springs VMS, and Iowa State University Veterinary Alumni Association. He received an ISU College of Veterinary Medicine Stange Award in 1983.

Active in civic life, he served on the Waseca Park Board, Youth Commission, Housing Authority, and Charter Commission, and was a past chair of the Waseca Hospital Board. Dr. West is survived by two sons and a daughter. Memorials may be made to the Waseca Area Foundation, 111 2nd Ave N.E. #1, Waseca, MN 56093.

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