Obituaries

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

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Howard C. Ashby

Dr. Ashby (Michigan State '44), 96, Florence, Montana, died April 2, 2018. Following graduation, he began his career in mixed animal practice in Lee's Summit, Missouri, establishing Lee's Summit Animal Clinic in the early 1950s. During that time, Dr. Ashby also served as veterinarian for the Kansas City Swope Park Zoo. From 1967-68, he worked as a relief veterinarian in Grenada. Dr. Ashby subsequently joined Oppenheimer Industries in Missouri, overseeing the care of cattle throughout the southeastern United States. In 1970, he returned to Grenada, where he served as the country's chief veterinary officer for three years.

Dr. Ashby moved to California in 1973, initially working for the state and later establishing Idyllwild Animal Clinic and Anza-Borrego Animal Clinic. He retired in 2000.

Dr. Ashby was an Army veteran of World War II, attaining the rank of captain.

His wife, Ann; four sons and a daughter; nine grandchildren; and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090, or The Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd St. NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037.

Curtis C. Christenberry Sr.

Dr. Christenberry (Auburn '55), 88, Auburn, Alabama, died May 5, 2018. Following graduation, he served as a second lieutenant in the Air Force for three years. Dr. Christenberry then worked for the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service as a veterinary medical officer, foreign animal disease diagnostician, and brucellosis epidemiologist until retirement in 1988. During that time, he also earned his master's in veterinary microbiology and virology from Auburn University (1973) and was a liaison officer with its veterinary college and a staff member of its microbiology department. Dr. Christenberry was a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

He served in the Air Force Reserve for 30 years, retiring as a colonel in 1987. For his military service, he received several awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Legion of Merit. Dr. Christenberry was active with the Lions Club, Salvation Army, and Alabama Medical Center.

His three daughters, a son, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren survive him. Dr. Christenberry's son-in-law, Dr. Robert May (Auburn '81), is a small animal veterinarian in Smithfield, Virginia. Memorials may be made to Auburn United Methodist Church, 137 S. Gay St., Auburn, AL 36830; Bethany House In-Patient Hospice, 1171 Gatewood Drive, Building 100, Auburn, AL 36830; or Food Bank of East Alabama, 375 Industry Drive, Auburn, AL 36832.

Wayne O. Hagen

Dr. Hagen (Minnesota '72), 70, Belgrade, Minnesota, died April 27, 2018. Following graduation until 1987, he owned Belgrade Veterinary Clinic, a large animal practice. Dr. Hagen subsequently returned to the University of Minnesota, where he earned his PhD in veterinary medicine in 1989. He then joined what is now known as Trouw Nutrition USA in Willmar, Minnesota, beginning his almost 30-year career as a veterinary/nutrition consultant. Dr. Hagen is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters; a grandchild; and a brother. Memorials may be made to Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation, 101 Bridgeport Way, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55075.

Guy S. Hohenhaus

Dr. Hohenhaus (Minnesota '90), 57, Pasadena, Maryland, died June 25, 2018. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, he was state veterinarian and chief of animal health with the Maryland Department of Agriculture from 2005-14. Prior to that, Dr. Hohenhaus served as public health veterinarian for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. From 1990-2002, he was a professor and director of the veterinary epidemiology residency program at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. During that time, Dr. Hohenhaus earned his master's in public health (1996) from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.

He served in the Army Reserve for more than 30 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel from the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade. While in the military, Dr. Hohenhaus designed food safety, zoonotic disease, and refugee programs in several countries, and he was stationed in Afghanistan with the 407th Civil Affairs Brigade. In 2004, he received the Bronze Star for his contributions toward rebuilding Afghanistan's veterinary and public health infrastructure. Dr. Hohenhaus' wife, Michelle, and two sisters and a brother survive him. One sister, Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus (Cornell '85), a specialist in veterinary oncology and small animal internal medicine, practices at the Animal Medical Center in New York. Dr. Hohenhaus' late father, Dr. Herbert A. Hohenhaus (Minnesota '56), was a mixed animal veterinarian in Osakis, Minnesota. Memorials toward the Guy Hohenhaus Veterinary Student Travel Fund, with checks made payable to Northeast USAHA and notated to Guy's Fund, may be made to Diane K. TenKate, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Accounting Service Center, S3-007 Schurman Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Michael L. Kleban

Dr. Kleban (Colorado State '86), 57, Mesa, Arizona, died Jan. 5, 2018. In 1994, he founded Red Mountain Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in Mesa, where he served as managing veterinarian. Dr. Kleban also served as volunteer veterinarian for the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. Earlier in his career, he was an associate veterinarian at Tri-City East Veterinary Hospital in Mesa. Dr. Kleban was a member of the Arizona VMA, served on the board of directors of the MaaViva Institute for Interconnectedness (providing education on creating sustainable living situations), and was active with the Eagle Scouts.

He is survived by his wife, Kristi; a daughter and a son; his parents; and a sister. Dr. Kleban's brother-in-law, Dr. Jeffrey Myers (Colorado State '86), is a professor of veterinary technology at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Memorials may be made to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, 2630 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, AZ 85201, or Dr. Mike Kleban Memorial Fund—Planting Hope, N9565 Tamarack Road, Eagle, WI 53119.

Paul C. Long

Dr. Long (Oklahoma State '56), 90, Yukon, Oklahoma, died April 8, 2018. He began his career practicing primarily large animal medicine in Roanoke, Illinois. In 1965, Dr. Long moved to Oklahoma City, where he practiced small animal medicine at Dickensbrae Animal Hospital until retirement in 2002. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps. Dr. Long is survived by his wife, Anna; two sons and a daughter; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Putnam City Baptist Church, 11401 N. Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73162, or Putnam City Schools Foundation, 5401 NW 40th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73122.

John J. Pfost

Dr. Pfost (Ohio State '54), 95, Charleston, West Virginia, died April 6, 2018. He practiced primarily small animal medicine at Charleston Veterinary Hospital prior to retirement in the mid-1990s. Dr. Pfost also cared for animals at the local humane society. He was an Air Force veteran of World War II. Dr. Pfost's son, daughter, 10 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren survive him.

Harry Radcliffe

Dr. Radcliffe (Cornell '45), 96, Ormond Beach, Florida, died June 21, 2018. In 1973, he co-established Tomoko Pines Veterinary Hospital in Ormond Beach, where he practiced mixed animal medicine until retirement in 1994. Dr. Radcliffe also co-founded an emergency clinic in Volusia County during that time.

Following graduation, Dr. Radcliffe owned a small animal practice in Beloit, Wisconsin. In 1949, he joined the Army Veterinary Corps, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1968. Dr. Radcliffe received a Joint Service Commendation Medal for his military service. He subsequently worked for Merck Sharp & Dohme before co-founding his Ormond Beach practice.

Dr. Radcliffe's daughter, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215, or Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 355 Lexington Ave., 15th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

Mosey E. Rausch

Dr. Rausch (Purdue '74), 68, Lafayette, Louisiana, died May 17, 2018. He practiced small animal medicine in Lafayette for more than 35 years. Dr. Rausch traveled to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake in 2010 to volunteer his services. His two daughters, four sisters, and three brothers survive him. One brother, Dr. F. David Rausch (Purdue '70), is a retired small animal veterinarian in Greenwood, South Carolina. Memorials may be made to Acadiana Animal Aid, 142 Le Medicin Road, Carencro, LA 70520, or Carmelite Monastery, 949 River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

Jon D. Schroeder

Dr. Schroeder (Kansas State '75), 66, Concordia, Missouri, died May 1, 2018. A mixed animal veterinarian, he owned Concordia Veterinary Clinic from 1976 until retirement in 2017. Dr. Schroeder was a member of the Concordia Lions Club. He is survived by his wife, Karen; four sons and a daughter; five grandchildren; and four sisters and two brothers. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 401 W. Broadway St., Higginsville, MO 64037.

Neil R. Seidel

Dr. Seidel (Texas A&M '90), 53, Giddings, Texas, died Jan. 7, 2018. Following graduation, he established Crossroads Animal Hospital in Bastrop, Texas, where he practiced mixed animal medicine for 10 years. Dr. Seidel later founded Texas Star Animal Hospital, a small animal clinic in Giddings, working there for the next 17 years. His wife, Karen; two daughters; his mother; and three sisters and two brothers survive him. Memorials may be made to AWARE (Always Wanted a Riding Experience), 1708 Centerpoint Road, San Marcos, TX 78666, or 5P-Society (an organization that helps spread awareness of 5P-Syndrome, a chromosomal deletion disorder), P.O. Box 268, Lakewood, CA 90714.

Aubrey L. Smith

Dr. Smith (Texas A&M '57), 84, Nashville, Arkansas, died April 2, 2018. He was a poultry inspector with the Department of Agriculture in Nashville prior to retirement in 1995. Prior to that, Dr. Smith owned a mixed animal practice in Perryville, Missouri, for 14 years. His wife, Jackie; three sons and two daughters; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; and two sisters survive him. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1403 W. Sunset St., Nashville, AR 71852.

Wayne D. Smith

Dr. Smith (Missouri '56), 90, Green Castle, Missouri, died May 28, 2018. Following graduation until 1979, he practiced large animal medicine in Winigan, Missouri. Dr. Smith then worked as a field man for the Missouri Angus Association, retiring in 2004.

He was a past president of the Sullivan County Angus Association, Chariton Valley Angus Association, and Sullivan County Cattleman's Association and a past secretary of the Green Hills Angus Association. Dr. Smith was named Junior Angus Association Man of the Year in 1980 and was inducted into the Missouri Angus Breeders Hall of Fame in 1995, National Junior Angus Honorary Foundation in 1997, American Angus Heritage Foundation in 2001, and Northeast Missouri Livestock Hall of Fame in 2004. In 1997, the Missouri State Fair Cattle Show was dedicated to him, and, in 2004, the National Junior Angus Association Show was dedicated to him. Also in 2004, Dr. Smith was named the Missouri Cattlemen's Association's Pioneer Cattleman of the Year, and the University of Missouri Block and Bridle Club's Livestock Person of the Year.

Active in his community, he was a past chair of the Sullivan County Health Department Board, Sullivan County Memorial Hospital Board, and Sullivan County Ambulance Board and a past president of the Sullivan County Farm Bureau. Dr. Smith served on the state's Agriculture Advisory Committee and what was known as the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, and he was active with the 4-H Club and Masonic Lodge.

Memorials may be made to the Winigan Cemetery, Winigan, MO 63566.

Douglas H. Wick

Dr. Wick (Washington State '13), 31, Boise, Idaho, died April 21, 2018. A small animal practitioner, he was a staff veterinarian at Intermountain Pet Hospital in Meridian, Idaho. Dr. Wick is survived by his wife, Dr. Laura B. Wick (Washington State '13), a small animal veterinarian in Boise; his parents; and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Ridge to Rivers trail system, 1104 Royal Blvd., Boise, ID 83706.

Sandra B. Wilson

Dr. Wilson (Oklahoma State '64), 77, Elizabethtown, North Carolina, died June 4, 2018. She owned Old Dominion Small Animal Clinic in Warrenton, Virginia, prior to retirement in 1999. Dr. Wilson also bred Egyptian Arabian horses. Her two daughters, two grandchildren, and a brother survive her. Memorials may be made to Oklahoma State University Foundation, Class of 1964 Endowed Scholarship #28-96900, OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Attn: Sharon R. Worrell, 308 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, or National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163.

Robert H. Wolf

Dr. Wolf (Texas A&M '65), 76, Little Rock, Arkansas, died April 15, 2018. He was director of laboratory animal resources and professor in the departments of surgery and pathology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio prior to retirement in 2006. Dr. Wolf was instrumental in the expansion of animal facilities at UT Health San Antonio and helped garner substantial funding for medical research, animal facilities, and renovations of the facility. Earlier in his career, he was director of the vivarium at Tulane University Medical Center and head of the Department of Veterinary Sciences at Delta Regional Primate Research Center. A diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Dr. Wolf was a past president of the Association of Primate Veterinarians and a past director of the UT Health San Antonio Cancer Center. His wife, Judy; a daughter, son, and stepdaughter; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a brother survive him.

Waybern D. Yates

Dr. Yates (Missouri '68), 74, Kansas City, Missouri, died March 30, 2018. Following graduation, he served as a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps during the Vietnam War. Dr. Yates subsequently began his career in small animal medicine in Raytown, Missouri, establishing Raytown Animal Hospital in 1972. He was a past president of the Greater Kansas City VMA and a founding member of Turks and Caicos Veterinary Associates and a member of what was known as the Cayman Islands Veterinary Practice. In 1994, Dr. Yates was appointed to the Missouri Horse Racing Commission. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; two daughters; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Pets for Life Inc., 7240 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Robert Young Jr.

Dr. Young (California-Davis '61), 87, Modesto, California, died March 6, 2018. Following graduation, he worked for Shell Development Co. in Modesto for 18 years, in animal health and safety. Dr. Young then established Young Veterinary Research, a contract laboratory supporting the discovery, development, and regulatory submission of new animal drugs by major animal health companies. He retired in 1997. Dr. Young was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Lori; three sons; and five grandchildren. One son, Dr. David Young (California-Davis '86). took over Young Veterinary Research in 1997.


Notifications

For an obituary to be published, JAVMA must be notified within six months of the date of death via a toll-free phone call to 800-248-2862, ext. 6754; email to newsatavma [dot] org (news[at]avma[dot]org); or fax to 847-925-9329.