Obituaries

Dr. Brocksmith (ISU '54), 76, Vincennes, Ind., died May 20, 2003. He founded the Brocksmith Veterinary Clinic in Vincennes in 1954. Dr. Brocksmith was a member of the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Knox County Cattlemen's Association, Pork Producers, Health Board, Extension Board, and Fair Board.

He was a Navy veteran. Dr. Brocksmith's many honors include the Outstanding Knox County Cattleman and the Indiana Master Farmer Award. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; a son; and a daughter. Memorials may be made to the Christian Education Foundation, 210 Barnett St., Vincennes, IN 47591.

Dr. Burke (WSU '44), 82, Tacoma, Wash., died May 28, 2003. In 1946, he co-established Pacific Avenue Veterinary Clinic in Tacoma with his cousin, Dr. Alex J. Ryncarz (WSU '44), practicing there for more than 50 years. Dr. Burke was past chairman of the Washington State Veterinary Board of Governors.

A World War II veteran, he served as a captain in the Army. Dr. Burke was past president of the Tacoma Public Library's Board of Trustees, and had served as a board member of the Tacoma/Pierce County Humane Society. His wife, Delma, and three daughters survive him.

Memorials may be made to the Dr. Henry A. Burke Memorial Fund, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, P.O. Box 647010, Pullman, WA 99164-7010.

Dr. Coopes (MSU '52), 75, Kalamazoo, Mich., died April 16, 2003. Retired, he owned the East Main Animal Hospital in Galesburg, Mich., practicing there for more than 30 years. A member of the Michigan VMA, Dr. Coopes served as president of the Kalamazoo Veterinary Association.

His wife, Georgia; two sons; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Southern Michigan Gun Club, 22471 38th Ave., Mattawan, MI 49071.

Dr. Crenshaw (MSU '50), 81, Woodland, Calif., died May 19, 2003. From 1973 until retirement in 1998, he owned a large animal practice in Orland, Calif. Following graduation, Dr. Crenshaw practiced in Chowchilla and the Marysville-Orland area in California. He then worked for Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Mich., for two years.

Dr. Crenshaw resumed his practice in Orland until 1963, when he joined the faculty of the University of California-Davis as extension veterinarian. He was known for his expertise in herd health management of western range and feedlot cattle, western dry lot dairy cattle, and sheep production.

Dr. Crenshaw's wife, Nancy; a son; and a daughter survive him.

Dr. Dieterich (TEX '52), 73, Del Norte, Colo., died April 28, 2003. He co-founded the Frisco Creek Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in the San Luis Valley, Colo., in 1989. During his career, Dr. Dieterich established practices in Texas, including one in Richardson and a referral surgical practice in Dallas. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, he served as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and Surgery at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Active in organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Dieterich was a past president of the Dallas County VMA, the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice, and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society. He served as district director and program chair for the Texas VMA, and chaired the association's Education Committee. Dr. Dietrich also chaired the committee that wrote the charter for the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice.

His many honors include the Colorado VMA Achievement of 50 Years in Veterinary Medicine Award, the Professional Achievement Award for Wildlife Management from the Colorado chapter of the Wildlife Society, and recognition by the Colorado Division of Wildlife for supporting the international project to reintroduce Canada lynx into Colorado.

Dr. Dieterich is survived by his wife, Susan; two sons; two daughters; one stepson; and one stepdaughter. Memorials may be made to the Frisco Creek Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center, P.O. Box 488, Del Norte, CO 81132.

Dr. Elam (GA '58), 69, Columbia, S.C., died April 11, 2003. He owned Elam Animal Hospital in Columbia since 1978. Prior to that, Dr. Elam owned Elam Animal Clinic in West Columbia, S.C., and Ambassador Animal Hospital in Columbia. Dr. Elam was an Army veteran, serving as a lieutenant in Korea.

An avid pilot, he was active in the South Carolina Aviation Association and the Sport Aviation Association. Dr. Elam was also a member of the Flying Club, Airport Owners and Pilots Association, and Experimental Aircraft Association.

His wife, Margaret; five sons; and four daughters survive him.

Dr. Freid (MSU '51), 76, Lafayette, Calif., died May 8, 2003. Retired, he owned Thornhill Pet Hospital in Oakland, Calif., for almost 36 years. Dr. Freid was a lifetime member of the California VMA. A World War II veteran, he served in the Navy. Dr. Freid received commendations for bravery in battle.

He is survived by two sons and a daughter. Dr. Freid's brother, Dr. Norman T. Freid (MSU '44), is a veterinarian in San Francisco.

Dr. Hazarabedian (CAL '59), 72, Lafayette, Calif., died March 31, 2003. He owned Harmar Veterinary Services in San Francisco, serving the community via four hospitals for 40 years. Dr. Hazarabedian founded Salcopec, an emergency veterinary hospital, serving over the years as chief executive officer, president, chairman, and chief financial officer.

He was the founder and chairman of Armenian Technology Group, working through the University of California-Davis with several organizations in Armenia to effect veterinary and agricultural assistance to that country. A member of the California VMA, Dr. Hazarabedian chaired its insurance trust for 12 years. He had served as an agricultural standardization inspector for Los Angeles County. Dr. Hazarabedian also served as an adjunct associate professor at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine from 1987-1990, and was involved in curriculum development and foundation work.

Dr. Hazarabedian was a past president of the California Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. He served on the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for nine years.

Dr. Hazarabedian's honors include the Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award from UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the California VMA's President's Award. A Korean War veteran, he served as a food inspection specialist in the Army Veterinary Corps. Dr. Hazarabedian attained the rank of captain.

His wife, Margit, and four sons survive him. Dr. Hazarabedian's cousin, Dr. Chuck Ozanian (CAL '80), is a veterinarian in Ferndale, Calif. Memorials may be made to the Armenian Technology Group, 1322 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 255, Fresno, CA 93710; or University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, c/o Office of the Dean, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616-8734.

Dr. Mabry (COL '47), 76, Seminole, Texas, died May 2, 2003. Prior to retirement, he was in mixed practice in Seminole. Dr. Mabry was involved with the Aftosa program in Mexico, a Mexican-American commission established for the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease. He was a member of the Texas VMA.

Dr. Mabry had served in the Air Force. He is survived by his son. Dr. Mabry's nephew, Dr. Rob Moreland (TEX '72), is a veterinarian in El Paso, Texas.

Dr. Mullins (TEX '52), 83, College Station, Texas, died April 14, 2003. Prior to retirement, he worked as a veterinary medical officer for the Department of Agriculture in Clarksville, Tenn., for 20 years. Following graduation, Dr. Mullins owned Mullins Veterinary Clinic, a mixed practice in Clarksdale, Miss., for 20 years. He was a past president of the Mississippi VMA.

A World War II veteran, Dr. Mullins served with General Patton's 3rd Army during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star. Dr. Mullins was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454.

Dr. Remetta (UP '85), 50, Perkasie, Pa., died March 31, 2003. She worked as a pharmaceutical executive for Pharmacia in Peapack, N.J. Prior to that, Dr. Remetta was vice president of World Wide Health Safety and Environmental Operations in Collegeville, Pa. Following graduation, she served as clinical veterinarian at Emerson Veterinary Clinic in Buckingham, Pa., for a year. From 1986-1988, Dr. Remetta was employed at Ewing Veterinary Hospital in Trenton, N.J.

She was past executive chair of the New Jersey Lung Association. Dr. Remetta received the Tribute to Women in Industry Award. She is survived by her husband, Neal Frank. Memorials may be made to the ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002-2755.

Dr. Rubin (OKL '67), 67, Linwood, N.J., died March 30, 2003. He owned Rubin Veterinary Hospital in Marmora, N.J. A member of the New Jersey VMA, Dr. Rubin had served on its executive board. He was a founding member of the Southeastern New Jersey VMA, being named its Veterinarian of the Year in 1982.

Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma State University Foundation, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749.

Dr. Skinner (MSU '47), 84, Indianapolis, died May 2, 2003. Retired since 1981, he owned Northern Heights Pet Hospital in Indianapolis for 19 years. Prior to that, Dr. Skinner owned a large animal practice for 16 years in the Colfax-Thornton area of Indiana.

A member of the Indiana VMA, he was appointed to the Indiana State Board of Health by Governor Otis Bowen. Dr. Skinner was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a combat medic in Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Dr. Skinner is survived by a daughter and two sons. Memorials may be made to the Murat Shrine Transportation Fund, c/o Murat Shrine Temple, 510 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46204; or the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173.

Dr. Thompson (TEN '89), 56, Falmouth, Maine, died April 14, 2003. A veterinarian and naturopathic doctor, she owned Natural Vet Care in Brunswick, Maine, since 2000. Prior to that, Dr. Thompson practiced parttime at Sunray Animal Hospital in Brunswick. Early in her career, she practiced at Spring Lake Animal Hospital in Spring Lake, N.C., and Eastern Shore Animal Hospital in Grandy, N.C.

Dr. Thompson was a member of the American Holistic VMA, the Maine VMA, and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Her husband, W. Craig Cullen, PhD, JD, and two daughters survive her. Dr. Cullen was an assistant professor in the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine from 1981-1989. Dr. Thompson's brother-in-law, Dr. Eric Bloomfield (MSU '77), owns Northside Animal Hospital in Hooksett, N.H.

Dr. Vagneur (COL '41), 85, Jamestown, N.D., died April 14, 2003. He co-founded Southwood Veterinary Clinic in Jamestown in 1961, practicing there until his retirement in 1997. Earlier in his career, Dr. Vagneur worked for the Health Department of Grand Junction, Colo., and the Colorado State Department of Public Health in Denver.

A lifetime member of the North Dakota VMA, he was president of the association in 1962 and was named Veterinarian of the Year in 1980. Dr. Vagneur had served as delegate and alternate delegate to the AVMA from North Dakota. He was a member of the North Dakota Livestock Sanitary Board and the North Dakota Stockmen's Association. Dr. Vagneur served on the Extension Service Advisory Committee for North Dakota State University.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; two sons; and a daughter. Dr. Vagneur's niece, Dr. Deidre Qual (ISU '77), is a veterinarian in Fargo, N.D. Memorials may be made to the NDVMA Scholarship Fund, 921 South 9th St., Bismarck, ND 58504.