Obituaries

Dr. Aloro (MES '47), 79, Chapel Hill, N.C., died Oct. 9, 2003. He practiced in Los Angeles and Virginia Beach, Va., for 55 years. Dr. Aloro also served as a consultant for the past two years. He was a founding member of the American Holistic VMA. Dr. Aloro was also a member of the International Academy of Medical Preventics for the past 30 years.

A World War II veteran, he served in the Army. Dr. Aloro's wife, Lore; two stepdaughters; and a stepson survive him. Memorials may be made to the Piedmont Wildlife Center, 605 A NC Hwy. 54 W., Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Dr. Guptill (WSU '53), 82, Puyallup, Wash., died Sept. 18, 2003. Following graduation and until retirement in 1989, he was in mixed practice in the Puyallup area, owning the River Road Veterinary Clinic since 1960. During retirement, Dr. Guptill owned a dairy farm in Graham, Wash.

A World War II veteran, he served in the Marine Corps for four years, attaining the rank of sergeant. Dr. Guptill is survived by his wife, Virginia, and four daughters. His granddaughter, Dr. Alayna D. Huter (WSU '01), is a veterinarian in Meridian, Idaho. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Franciscan Hospice, 1717 S. J St., Tacoma, WA 98405.

Dr. Hall (OSU '51), 82, Spokane, Wash., died Aug. 18, 2003. Prior to retirement, he owned Ahuimanu Pet Clinic Inc., in Kaneohe, Hawaii. A World War II veteran, Dr. Hall served in the 82nd Airborne Division, attaining the rank of 1st lieutenant. He was awarded three Purple Hearts.

Dr. Hall is survived by his wife, Reiko, and a daughter. His brother, Dr. Robert Hall (OSU '56), is a veterinarian in California.

Dr. Lowrance (MSU '73), 59, Sandwich, Mass., died Nov. 1, 2003. Retired, he owned Sandwich Animal Hospital from 1983-1997. Dr. Lowrance also owned the Mashpee Veterinary Hospital since 1974. Earlier in his career, Dr. Lowrance practiced at the Harwich Veterinary Hospital. He was a member of the Massachusetts VMA.

A Navy veteran, Dr. Lowrance served as a navigator during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of lieutenant. From 1967-1969, he was an instructor at the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape school in Rangley, Maine. Dr. Lowrance served as chairman of the Sandwich Conservation Commission. His wife, Jeanne; two sons; two stepsons; and a stepdaughter survive him.

Memorials may be made to the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115.

Dr. Melius (TEX '53), 73, Metairie, La., died Nov. 23, 2003. He practiced small animal medicine with his brother, Dr. Thomas W. Melius Jr. (TEX '45), at Metairie Small Animal Hospital for 50 years, concentrating on orthopedic surgery. Dr. Melius was past president of the Southeast Louisiana Veterinary Association and past treasurer of the Louisiana VMA. He was also director emeritus of the American Animal Hospital Association.

Dr. Melius is survived by his wife, Katherine; two sons; and a daughter. One son, Dr. Brian H. Melius (LSU '83), is a veterinarian in Metairie. Memorials may be made to Charity Animal Hospital, 4907 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70115.

Dr. Moeller (MO '82), 52, Florissant, Mo., died Nov. 15, 2003. A small animal practitioner, she was a partner at Paw Patch Animal Hospital in Florissant for the past 15 years. Prior to that, Dr. Moeller practiced at Rock Road Animal Hospital in St. Louis.

Her husband, William Maneke, and daughter survive her. Memorials with checks payable to the University of Missouri-Columbia may be made to the Mizzou Annual Fund, 401 Reynolds Alumni and Visitors Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211.

Dr. Platt (MSU '53), 73, Anderson, Ind., died Aug. 23, 2003. He practiced large animal medicine in Anderson, focusing on equine medicine. Dr. Platt helped organize and served as veterinarian for the Anderson Police Department's horse patrol. He owned and raced Standardbred horses.

Dr. Platt's two sons and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. 9th St., Anderson, IN 46016.

Dr. Racoff (COR '37), 89, Columbia, S.C., died July 26, 2003. Prior to retirement, he worked for the Clemson University Extension Service. Dr. Racoff was known for his work eradicating diseases in livestock. A World War II veteran, he served in the Army, attaining the rank of major.

Memorials may be made to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853; American Camellia Society, 100 Massey Lane, Fort Valley, GA 31030; or Mid-Carolina Camellia Society, c/o Pat Pinkerton, 16 Kin Loch Road, Lugoff, SC 29078.

Dr. Sharp (OSU '57), 71, Leesburg, Fla., died Sept. 23, 2003. Prior to retirement, he owned a small animal practice in Toledo, Ohio, for 33 years. Dr. Sharp also served as an inspector for the Toledo Health Department for almost 34 years and as state veterinarian at Toledo Raceway Park.

He was an auxiliary member and volunteer at the Leesburg Regional Medical Center. Dr. Sharp's wife, Jill; a son; and a daughter survive him. His daughter-in-law, Dr. Robin Rosen-Sharp (OSU '83), is a veterinarian in Aurora, Ohio. Memorials may be made to the Pilgrims' United Church of Christ Music Fund, Leesburg, FL 34748; or Hospice of Lake/Sumter County, 12300 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.

Dr. Sherrod (KSU '58), 75, Corrales, N.M., died Aug. 17, 2003. He owned Valverde Animal Clinic in Corrales since 1966. Prior to that, Dr. Sherrod owned the Town and Country Animal Clinic in North Valley, N.M. During his career, he also worked with the Lovelace Foundation, consulted for the Rio Grande Zoo, and donated his time to the New Mexico State Fair.

Dr. Sherrod was a member and past president of the New Mexico VMA. He helped establish the Sandoval County Fair and worked at the Bernalillo County 4H Fair. A Korean War veteran, Dr. Sherrod served in the Air Force. He was a past president of the Rio Rancho Rotary Club.

Dr. Sherrod is survived by his wife, Delores; a son; and a daughter. Memorials may be made to the Sandoval County Fair, Sandoval 4H Club, or Morris Animal Foundation, c/o Sunrise Funeral Options, 2400 Southern Blvd., Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

Dr. Wilkins (KSU '43), 82, Ralston, Neb., died Sept. 18, 2003. Retired, he co-founded MVP Laboratories Inc., a vaccine company, in 1981. During his career, Dr. Wilkins served as vice president of Dellen Laboratories, being instrumental in developing the company's vaccine for prevention of canine parvovirus infection. He had also worked as a diagnostician and technical services veterinarian for Corn States Laboratories.

Dr. Wilkins was a life member of the Nebraska VMA. He was named Ralston's Citizen of the Year in 1994. Dr. Wilkins' wife, Maxine, and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60601; or Trinity United Methodist Church, 8009 Q St., Ralston, NE 68127.