Obituaries

Dr. Abramson (UP '45), 89, Bethesda, Md., died Sept. 1, 2004. He was a science administrator at the National Institutes of Health's Office for Protection from Research Risks from 1982-1985. During that time, Dr. Abramson organized a national symposium on imperatives in research animal use, and participated in the design and preparation of regional programs on the care and use of laboratory animals.

Following graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Public Health Service, where he was involved in tuberculosis research at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University's medical school from 1946-1952. Dr. Abramson then served as chief of the airborne infection unit of the epidemiology branch of the Communicable Disease Center, working mainly at the University of Chicago Department of Medicine.

From 1956-1962, he served as a health science administrator at the NIH's division of research grants. Dr. Abramson later worked in the research department of the American Cancer Society, held positions within the National Research Council/ National Academy of Sciences, and was senior staff officer with the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources. He was the editor of ILAR News and was a fellow of the American Public Health Association.

Dr. Abramson's wife, Alice; two daughters; and a son survive him.

Dr. Cox (TEX '49), 81, Arkadelphia, Ark., died June 15, 2004. He practiced in Arkadelphia for more than 50 years. A past president of the Arkansas VMA, Dr. Cox served on its executive board and received the Veterinarian of the Year Award in 1966.

He was a veteran of the Army, Navy, and Marines. Dr. Cox served on the Clark County board of education and the Arkadelphia school board. His daughter survives him.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Clark County, P.O. Box 435, Arkadelphia, AR 71923; Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840; or Harmony Primitive Baptist Church, 413 N. Front St., Donaldson, AR 71941.

Dr. Crawford (AUB '42), 84, Marion, Ala., died Aug. 2, 2004. Retired, he practiced large animal medicine in Perry County, Alabama, for 34 years, and owned a cattle and timber operation in west-central Alabama. Early in his career, Dr. Crawford practiced in Lake Charles, La., and Mobile, Ala.

He was a past president of the Alabama VMA and the Alabama Angus Association. Dr. Crawford served as a lifetime director and honorary vice president of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association. He was elected to the Alabama Agricultural Hall of Honor in recognition of his efforts to improve the status of the state's livestock industry.

Dr. Crawford's wife, Gloria; a son; and a daughter survive him. His nephew, Dr. Lewis H. McCurdy (AUB '74), is a veterinarian in Huntsville, Ala. Memorials may be made to the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, P.O. Box 2499, Montgomery, AL 36102.

Dr. Guild (COR '72), 58, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., died Oct. 7, 2004. He was co-owner of Honeoye Falls Veterinary Hospital for the past 32 years. Dr. Guild wrote columns on animal care for The Sentinel newspaper. He served as a volunteer at the Benincasa Hospice in Mendon, N.Y.

Dr. Guild is survived by his wife, Bertha, and three sons. Memorials may be made to Benincasa Hospice, 3880 Rush-Mendon Road, Mendon, NY 14506; or Bell Choir of First Presbyterian Church, North Main St., Honeoye Falls, NY 14472.

Dr. McKinney (ILL '62), 74, Springfield, Ill., died Sept. 23, 2004. He was director of veterinary health for the Sangamon County Department of Public Health. Dr. McKinney had also served as administrator of Sangamon County Animal Control.

Following graduation, he was a partner at McKinney-Roegge Veterinary Clinic in Jacksonville, Ill., for 33 years. During that time, Dr. McKinney also served as administrator of the Morgan County Animal Control Program. He then worked for the Illinois Department of Agriculture as supervisory veterinarian, later serving as foodborne outbreak coordinator for the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Dr. McKinney was a past president of the Central Illinois VMA. He received the Illinois State VMA Veterinary Service Award in 1987. A Korean War veteran, Dr. McKinney served as a sergeant in the Army. He was a past president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.

Dr. McKinney's wife, Marilyn, and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Sangamon County Animal Control Center, 201 N. Dirkson Parkway, Springfield, IL 62702; First Presbyterian Church, 860 W. College, Jacksonville, IL 62650; Illinois College, Advancement Office, Jacksonville, IL 62650; or University of Illinois, 1962 Endowment Fund, 3226 VMBSC, Mail Code 002, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.

Dr. Ratliff (ISU '60), 68, Anderson, Ind., died June 20, 2004. An equine practitioner, he served as veterinarian for Hoosier Park racetrack in Anderson. Following graduation, Dr. Ratliff practiced in Fort Wayne, Ind. In the 1970s, he joined the Illinois Racing Commission, serving as track veterinarian for three Chicago racetracks.

Dr. Ratliff was a member of the Indiana VMA. His wife, Donnetta; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Shenandoah Dollars for Scholars, c/o Rona Buttry, 8653 W. SR 236, Middletown, IN 47356; or Sixth Street Christian Church, 145 N. 6th St., Middletown, IN 47356.