Obituaries

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AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

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R. Brooks Bloomfield

Dr. Bloomfield (Tufts '83), 63, Truckee, California, died May 31, 2018. A mixed animal veterinarian, he owned Doctor's Office for Pets in Truckee from 2006-14.

Following graduation, Dr. Bloomfield established a practice in Assonet, Massachusetts. In 1992, he moved to California, where in 1994 he completed a zoological and wildlife residency program at the University of California-Davis. Dr. Bloomfield subsequently worked in California and Nevada before establishing his practice in Truckee. During that time, he practiced at Sierra Pet Clinic in Truckee; was director of Carson Tahoe Critical Care in Carson City, Nevada; and provided his services at the Sierra Safari Zoo and Animal Ark in Reno, Nevada.

Dr. Bloomfield served on the board of directors for the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; a son and a daughter; his mother; and two brothers and two sisters.

Louis B. Cumro

Dr. Cumro (Kansas State '54), 88, Odell, Nebraska, died Jan. 6, 2019. He owned Cumro Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Odell for more than 50 years. Dr. Cumro's wife, Sandra; three daughters; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a brother survive him. His granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Drs. Shauna Davis and Brian Davis, both 2009 graduates of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, are veterinarians in St. George, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Louis B. Cumro Memorial, 106 Garfield, Odell, NE 68415.

Murray J. Dean

Dr. Dean (Kansas State '76), 70, Valley Center, Kansas, died Oct. 15, 2018. A small animal veterinarian, he owned Valley Center Veterinary Clinic for 35 years prior to retirement. Early in his career, Dr. Dean practiced at Florissant Animal Hospital in Florissant, Missouri, for two years. He is survived by his wife, Debby; three sons and a daughter; four grandchildren; and two half sisters. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, 3030 N. Amidon, Wichita, KS 67204; St. Jude Knights of Columbus, 3030 N. Amidon, Wichita, KS 67204; or Lord's Diner, 520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214.

William L. Mitchell

Dr. Mitchell (Cornell '53), 94, Davenport, Florida, died Dec. 30, 2018. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, serving the Potter County area for more than 50 years. Dr. Mitchell also held free rabies vaccination clinics and volunteered his services at the Lobo Wolf Park and Sanctuary in Kane, Pennsylvania.

Active in his community, he was a past president of the Coudersport School Board and Coudersport Recreation Board, and he helped develop and establish the Coudersport Area Recreation Park. Dr. Mitchell was a member of the Coudersport Chamber of Commerce and volunteered with the Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association and Charles Cole Memorial Hospital.

An accomplished pilot, he won championships in the Warbird category at the annual Oshkosh, Wisconsin, air shows in 1984 and 1985. Dr. Mitchell also served as a Warbird judge for more than 30 years and taught at the EAA Air Academy in Oshkosh. He was a longtime member of the Canyon Pilots Association. In 2008, the Federal Aviation Administration honored him with the Wilbur Wright Award.

Dr. Mitchell was an Army veteran of World War II, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. His wife, Mary; a son and three daughters; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild survive him. His son, Dr. Thomas W. Mitchell (Pennsylvania '86), is a veterinarian in East Norriton, Pennsylvania. Memorials may be made to Teacher's Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915; Canyon Pilots Association, 112 Runway Road, Wellsboro, PA 16901; or VITAS Healthcare, 38251 Highway 27, Davenport, FL 33837.

Harold E. Vonderfecht

Dr. Vonderfecht (Colorado State '62), 88, Plattsmouth, Nebraska, died Oct. 5, 2018. Following graduation, he established a practice in Gothenburg, Nebraska, where he worked until 1974. Dr. Vonderfecht subsequently taught animal science in California and Kansas for a few years. In 1977, he relocated to Plattsmouth and began a career as an animal health consultant for pharmaceutical companies. During his more than 20 years as a consultant, Dr. Vonderfecht also ranched, continuing the latter in retirement. His three sons, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren survive him. One son, Dr. Steven L. Vonderfecht (Oklahoma State '76), is a veterinarian in California.