Obituaries

Dr. Dotson (TEX '70), 56, Grapeland, Texas, died Nov. 29, 2003. He owned the Westside Animal Clinic, a mixed practice in Lufkin, Texas, for 25 years. During his career, Dr. Dotson also practiced in Houston, Bridge City, and Crockett in Texas, and for a short time in Arkansas. He was a member of the Texas VMA. Dr. Dotson's wife, Peggy; four daughters; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Kathy Haeckler, 400 N. 7th, Crockett, TX 75835.

Dr. Hebert (KSU '47), 81, Woodside, Calif., died April 3, 2004. A retired large animal practitioner, he had owned Woodside Veterinary Clinic in Redwood City, Calif. During his career, Dr. Hebert also served as official veterinarian for four racetracks in California and devoted time to the 4-H Club, FFA, San Mateo County Fair's livestock program, and the Grand National and Junior Grand National rodeos.

He was the veterinarian for the July Fourth Junior Rodeo in Woodside for more than 45 years and served on the Woodside Livestock Committee for more than 15 years. Dr. Hebert's wife, Colleen; a son; and four daughters survive him.

Dr. Litwak (KSU '64), 62, Pittsburgh, died Feb. 8, 2004. He was president of Ension Inc., a biomedical company in Pittsburgh. From 1993-2002, Dr. Litwak served as associate professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, involved in the testing of artificial organs, primarily ventricular-assist devices. Prior to that, he was project manager and vice president of the surgical laboratory division of Thoratec Corporation in Berkeley, Calif.

From 1976-1979, Dr. Litwak worked as director of animal laboratories at the Institute of Medical Sciences in San Francisco. He served as a National Institutes of Health fellow at Colorado State University from 1972-1976. Early in his career, Dr. Litwak practiced in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Uniondale, N.Y. He was a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Litwak served in the Army Veterinary Corps from 1965-1966, attaining the rank of 1st lieutenant.

His wife, Robin; three sons; a stepson; and a stepdaughter survive him. One son, Dr. Kenneth Litwak (KSU '93), is a veterinarian in Louisville, Ky.

Dr. O'Neill (MO '77), 54, Jefferson, Md., died May 13, 2004. He co-owned Biomedical Research Consultants and worked as a veterinary pathologist at Spring Valley Laboratories in Woodbine, Md. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, Dr. O'Neill was appointed to the Department of Agriculture's Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases in 1997.

He was an Air Force veteran. Dr. O'Neill had also served as a Marine in Vietnam, attaining the rank of sergeant. Dr. O'Neill was awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal, Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Ribbon. His wife, Dr. Susan P. O'Neill (VMR '92), and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454.

Dr. Purvis (MSU '51), 78, Livonia, Mich., died Nov. 20, 2003. He was a small animal practitioner.

Dr. Russell (MIN '55), 75, Angels Camp, Calif., died May 17, 2004. Prior to retirement in 1995, he was director of research and development at Simonsen Laboratories in Gilroy, Calif. During his career, Dr. Russell was also in mixed practice and worked for Schering Corporation, Biological Specialties Corporation, Barlab Inc., and the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. He served as a consultant with the University of California at Davis and San Diego, and the Veterans Hospital in San Francisco.

Dr. Russell's wife, June; four children; and three stepchildren survive him.

Dr. Searcy (AUB '52), 74, Abbeville, Ala., died April 17, 2004. Prior to retirement, he practiced in Columbia, Eufaula, Clayton, and Henry County, all in Alabama, for 50 years. Dr. Searcy had also practiced in Fort Gaines, Ga. Following graduation, he served as base veterinarian and prevention medicine officer with the Air Force in Sherman, Texas.

Dr. Searcy attained the rank of 1st lieutenant.

He helped found the Abbeville Christian Academy and was a member of the Abbeville Kiwanis Club. Dr. Searcy's wife, Lorene, and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Wiregrass Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Dothan, AL 36302; or Wiregrass Hospice Inc., P.O. Drawer 2127, Dothan, AL 36302.

Dr. Taylor (ISU '40), 86, Buckingham, Pa., died May 15, 2004. Retired since 1987, he had practiced in Buckingham from 1944, establishing the Buckingham Animal Hospital in 1950. Dr. Taylor was a 60-year member and past president of the Doylestown Rotary Club. His wife, Elsie; a son; and two daughters survive him. Memorials in his name may be made to Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Fund, Ames, IA 50011.

Dr. Violante (MSU '80), 48, Eagle, Mich., died May 7, 2004. She owned House Calls Veterinary Hospital in Eagle and was an adjunct professor at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine since 2002. A member and past president of the Michigan VMA, Dr. Violante was Michigan's delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates in 2002 and 2003.

She served on the MSU-CVM Alumni Council from 1995-1998 and the Admissions Committee from 1997-2004. In 1999, the MVMA honored Dr. Violante with the W. Kenneth McKersie Service Award. She was awarded the MSU-CVM Distinguished Alumna Practitioner Service Award in 2004. The Capitol Area Humane Society and the American Animal Hospital Association had also honored Dr. Violante.

Her husband, Ric; two sons; and a daughter survive her. Memorials may be made to the United Network for Organ Sharing, P.O. Box 2484, Richmond, VA 23218.

Dr. Weber (KSU '43), 87, Harrington, Del., died March 21, 2004. From 1946 until retirement in 1982, he practiced in Simsbury, Conn. Dr. Weber was a member of the Connecticut VMA. His wife, Grayce; two daughters; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to Harrington Public Library, 110 E. Center St., Harrington, DE 19952.