Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

J. Don Bell

Dr. Bell (Texas A&M ’64), 79, Beaumont, Texas, died Nov. 2, 2015. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Army after nearly 25 years of service. During that time, Dr. Bell was stationed in several parts of the world, including Vietnam, Japan, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Early in his career, he taught at Texas A&M University. Dr. Bell was active with Habitat for Humanity. He is survived by his four daughters, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Deshler B. Cameron

Dr. Cameron (Ohio State ’56), 83, Nevada City, California, died Nov. 27, 2015. A small animal veterinarian, he owned Berea Pet Hospital in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, for 42 years. Dr. Cameron later established the Animal Behavior Clinic in Middleburg Heights, moving the practice to Nevada City in 2001. During his career in Ohio, he wrote a pet column for the Cleveland Plain Dealer that was published for nearly 20 years. Dr. Cameron served as a lieutenant in the Army Reserve. His wife, Nancy; three sons; and two granddaughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of the Foothills, 11270 Rough and Ready Highway, Grass Valley, CA 95945, or Gold Country Celtic Society, P.O. Box 23, Nevada City, CA 95959

Willard H. Daniels

Dr. Daniels (Cornell ’49), 91, Storrs Mansfield, Connecticut, died Nov. 23, 2015. He was a professor in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Connecticut-Storrs prior to retirement in 1987. Dr. Daniels began his career working in Middletown, Connecticut, for a few years. He then established Guilford Veterinary Hospital in Guilford, Connecticut, where he practiced mixed animal medicine for more than a decade. In 1965, Dr. Daniels joined the University of Connecticut-Storrs as an extension veterinarian. During his tenure, he served as acting head and assistant head of the Department of Pathobiology and served as an adviser and mentor to students in the pre-veterinary program.

Dr. Daniels was a past president of the Connecticut and New England VMAs and was twice appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Veterinary Medicine. In 1985, he was named Connecticut Veterinarian of the Year.

Dr. Daniels served in the Army during World War II. His wife, Jessie; three sons; and four grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Willard H. Daniels-Salvatore Orsini Scholarship Fund, account No. 30316, University of Connecticut Foundation, 2390 Alumni Drive, Storrs, CT 06269, or Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

Kenneth E. Erwin

Dr. Erwin (California-Davis ’53), 88, Manteca, California, died Nov. 9, 2015. A mixed animal practitioner, he co-owned Manteca Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Erwin was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was a life member of the Kiwanis Club. Dr. Erwin is survived by his wife, Ruth; a son and a daughter; and five grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Office of Development, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shield Ave., Davis, CA 95616.

Michael T. Gilbreath

Dr. Gilbreath (Texas A&M ’80), 60, Waxahachie, Texas, died Oct. 28, 2015. A small animal veterinarian, he owned Waxahachie Veterinary Clinic since 1986. Earlier, Dr. Gilbreath worked in Whitehall, Wisconsin, and Longview, Texas. His wife, Terri; two daughters and five sons; and four grandchildren survive him.

Ernest W. Hardy

Dr. Hardy (Texas A&M ’61), 80, Perryton, Texas, died Sept. 22, 2015. He owned Panhandle Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Perryton, for 38 years prior to retirement in 1999. Dr. Hardy’s daughter, two sons, a foster son, 14 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Museum of the Plains, 1200 N. Main, Perryton, TX 79070, or Ochiltree County Senior Citizens Association, 1200 SW 15th, Perryton, TX 79070.

Frank N. Hughes

Dr. Hughes (Iowa State ’55), 88, Clive, Iowa, died Oct. 30, 2015. He worked in meat inspection and served as a circuit supervisor for the Department of Agriculture for the last several years of his career. Earlier, Dr. Hughes practiced mixed animal medicine in Iowa at St. Charles, Humboldt, Hampton, and Cherokee, and served as a diagnostician for Fort Dodge Laboratories in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps. Dr. Hughes is survived by his wife, Cheryll; a son and a daughter; five stepchildren; five grandchildren and eight stepgrandchildren; and five step–great-grandchildren. Memorials may be directed to Barrows Neurological Hydrocephalus, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

Frank J. Judish

Dr. Judish (Colorado State ’46), 98, Westminster, Colorado, died Sept. 16, 2015. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Denver prior to retirement in 1982. Dr. Judish was an Army veteran of World War II. His three children, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren survive him.

Robert W. Keirs

Dr. Keirs (Iowa State ’55), 89, Starkville, Mississippi, died Nov. 23, 2015. He was professor emeritus at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Keirs began his career in mixed animal practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. He subsequently practiced in Washington at Bellingham and Lyndon; directed Pfizer’s poultry diagnostic laboratory in Springdale, Arkansas, and served as Pfizer’s regional veterinarian in Dallas; and worked for Abbott Laboratories in Chicago. Dr. Keirs joined the Mississippi State veterinary college as an associate professor in 1981. During his tenure, he conducted research on increasing productivity within poultry hatcheries, and, in retirement, he continued to consult for the poultry industry. In 2014, Dr. Keirs was inducted into the Mississippi Poultry Hall of Fame.

A Navy veteran of World War II, he received three Battle Stars for his service. Dr. Keirs is survived by his wife, Jane; two daughters and a son; a stepson and stepdaughter; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Starkville, MS 39762.

Kyle C. Kent

Dr. Kent (Missouri ’53), 91, Green City, Missouri, died Nov. 21, 2015. He owned Kent Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Green City, until retirement in 1986. Dr. Kent also owned a cattle farm, which he continued to operate in retirement. He was a past president of the Missouri VMA and served a year as its representative to the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Dr. Kent also served on the Missouri Governor’s Advisory Council on Agriculture for two years and was a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Missouri Veterinary Hall of Fame. In 1987, he was named Missouri Veterinarian of the Year. Active in civic life, Dr. Kent was a past president of the Green City Chamber of Commerce, School Board, and Industrial Development Corporation.

He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and was a member of the American Legion. Dr. Kent’s wife, Doris; four sons and two daughters; 19 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren survive him. One son, Dr. Richard K. Kent (Missouri ’74), joined Dr. Kent in practice following graduation and took over Kent Veterinary Clinic after his retirement. Memorials may be made to Green City United Methodist Church, 18 N. Lincoln St., Green City, MO 63545.

Michael S. Mitchel

Dr. Mitchel (Illinois ’80), 65, Plant City, Florida, died July 25, 2015. A small animal practitioner, he owned Mobile Pet Medic, serving Florida’s Hillsborough and Polk counties, from 1995 until retirement in 2013. Earlier in his career, Dr. Mitchel owned Suncoast Veterinary Clinic in Valrico, Florida. He was a member of the Florida VMA and a veteran of the Air Force. Dr. Mitchel is survived by his wife, Sue, and a daughter. Memorials may be made to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741.

Donald E. Rose

Dr. Rose (Ohio State ’45), 92, Crown Point, Indiana, died Nov. 19, 2015. He owned an equine and mixed animal practice in East Palestine, Ohio, for 45 years prior to retirement in 1990. Dr. Rose was a member of the Mahoning County Veterinary Association, Kiwanis Club, and Masonic Lodge. His wife, Joyce; a daughter; a grandson; and four great-grandchildren survive him.

Milton Skov

Dr. Skov (Washington State ’55), 88, The Dalles, Oregon, died Sept. 28, 2015. A retired mixed animal practitioner, he was the founder of The Dalles Veterinary Hospital. During his career, Dr. Skov also established practices in Hood River, Oregon, and Bingen, Washington, and served as Washington state veterinarian for a year. He was a life member of the Oregon VMA. Dr. Skov served on the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and was a past mayor of The Dalles. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. Dr. Skov is survived by his wife, Shirley; two sons and a daughter; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Milton Skov Memorial for Mathematics Technology, c/o North Wasco County School District, 3632 W. 10th, The Dalles, OR 97058.

Annette C. Slowinski

Dr. Slowinski (Virginia-Maryland ’86), 55, Rockville, Maryland, died Sept. 20, 2015. She was the founder of Woodley Gardens Veterinary Care in Rockville, where she practiced small animal medicine for five years prior to retirement in 2015. Following graduation, Dr. Slowinski served with the Peace Corps in Nepal for a few years. On her return to the United States, she worked in practices in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Dr. Slowinski earned a master’s in public health from Johns Hopkins University in 2002. She was a member of the District of Columbia Academy of Veterinary Medicine and served as its treasurer for 15 years. Dr. Slowinski is survived by her wife, Eileen Salenik. Memorials may be made to Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School Scholarship Fund, 1524 35th St. NW, Washington, DC 20007, or Johns Hopkins Melanoma Program, 750 E. Pratt St., 17th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Stephen P. Uhler

Dr. Uhler (Washington State ’74), 67, Puyallup, Washington, died Nov. 15, 2015. He practiced small animal medicine in Washington at Aberdeen and Sumner. Earlier in his career, Dr. Uhler worked in Nevada and Arizona. His wife, Rhonda; two sons and two daughters; and 10 grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio St., Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611.

Aubry L. Walker

Dr. Walker (Georgia ’58), 85, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, died Oct. 28, 2015. A small animal practitioner, he owned Fort Oglethorpe Veterinary Clinic for more than 50 years prior to retirement. Dr. Walker was a veteran of the Navy. He is survived by four daughters and two sons, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. One son, Dr. Aubry E. Walker (Tennessee ’90), owns Fort Oglethorpe Veterinary Clinic. Memorials may be made to the Walter E. Boehm Birth Defect Center, 975 E. 3rd St., Chattanooga, TN 37403.

Edward A. Weidenbener

Dr. Weidenbener (Ohio State ’54), 93, Bloomington, Indiana, died Nov. 4, 2015. He owned Eastside Animal Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, for 26 years prior to retirement. Earlier in his career, Dr. Weidenbener practiced in Louisville, Kentucky, for three years. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Dr. Weidenbener’s wife, Mary Lou; two daughters and a son; and five grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Reitz Memorial High School Scholarship Fund, 1500 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47714, or Meadowood Retirement Community Landscape Committee Fund, 2455 Tamarack Trail, Bloomington, IN 47408.

Charles M. Wempe

Dr. Wempe (Kansas State ’49), 99, York, Nebraska, died Oct. 19, 2015. He owned a mixed animal practice in York from 1950 until retirement in 2004. Earlier, Dr. Wempe practiced briefly in Seneca, Kansas. He served eight years on the Nebraska State Board of Health and was a past president of the Nebraska Agricultural Council and Nebraska VMA. Dr. Wempe was a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Nebraska Livestock Breeders Association, York County Feeders and Breeders Association, and York County Pork Producers. In 1982, he received the Nebraska Veterinarian of the Year Award.

Dr. Wempe was active with the Boy Scouts of America and 4-H Club. He served in the Navy during World War II and was a member of the American Legion. Dr. Wempe’s two sons, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren survive him. Several of Dr. Wempe’s family members are veterinarians, including Drs. Michael Wempe (Missouri ’72), John Wempe (Kansas State ’80), James Wempe (Iowa State ’80), David Wempe (Louisiana State ’90), and Stacy Driscoll-Wempe (Louisiana State ’90). Memorials may be made to Boy Scouts of America, Troop 174, 824 Kingsley Ave., York, NE 68467; St. Joseph’s Catholic School, 428 N, East Ave., York, NE 68467; or American Legion Post 19, 225 W. 59th St., York, NE 68467.

Thomas F. Wetzell Sr.

Dr. Wetzell (Iowa State ’56), 83, Albert Lea, Minnesota, died Nov. 22, 2015. A mixed animal veterinarian, he established a practice in Alden, Minnesota, following graduation. In 1972, Dr. Wetzell bought Wells Veterinary Clinic in Wells, Minnesota, which eventually expanded to become South Central Veterinary Associates. He retired in 1989. A member of the Minnesota VMA, Dr. Wetzell was named Veterinarian of the Year in 1987. He was active with the Wells Lions Club. Dr. Wetzell is survived by two sons and a daughter, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. One son, Dr. Thomas L. Wetzell (Minnesota ’77), works for Boehringer Ingelheim Corp.

Charles E. Willis

Dr. Willis (Texas A&M ’55), 87, Watertown, South Dakota, died Oct. 6, 2015. A mixed animal veterinarian, he owned practices in South Dakota at Chamberlain and Presho prior to retirement. Dr. Willis worked in Miller, South Dakota, earlier in his career. He developed the Willis Ovariotome Spay Instrument, used worldwide for spaying heifers. Dr. Willis was a past president of the South Dakota VMA. A veteran of the Navy, he was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dr. Willis was also a member of the Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his wife, Juanita; a son and two daughters; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.