Obituaries
AVMA member
AVMA honor roll member
Nonmember
Robert O. Bickham
Dr. Bickham (AUB ’58), 77, Sandersville, Ga., died Feb. 14, 2006. He owned Bickham’s Animal Hospital in Sandersville for 47 years. Dr. Bickham was a member of Washington County’s cattlemen’s association, meat goat association, and farm bureau. His two daughters and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to the Sandersville Lions Foundation, P.O. Box 671, Sandersville, GA 31082.
Ophus M. Fulcher
Dr. Fulcher (GA ’53), 84, Dobson, N.C., died March 4, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1983, he worked for the Department of Agriculture. Earlier in his career, Dr. Fulcher owned a practice in Sparta, N.C. His wife, Nell; two sons; and a daughter survive him. Memorials in his memory may be made to Hugh Chatham Nursing Center, c/o Betsy Brendle, 700 Johnson Ridge Road, Elkin, NC 28621.
William Medway
Dr. Medway (ONT ’54), 79, Blackwood, N.J., died March 19, 2006. He retired in 1988 as professor emeritus of clinical laboratory medicine in the Department of Clinical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Medway joined the veterinary faculty of Penn as an assistant professor in 1959, after receiving his PhD degree from Cornell University. During his tenure at Penn, he also served as director of the clinical laboratory and chief of clinical laboratory medicine at the university’s veterinary hospital. From 1960-1962, Dr. Medway was a research associate and assistant professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences at Ontario Veterinary College.
Known for his expertise and research in the field of aquatic animal medicine, he was a charter and honorary life member of the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine, serving as its president from 1974-1975. Dr. Medway also served as editor of the IAAAM Newsletter for 10 years. In 1999, the IAAAM William Medway Award for Excellence in Teaching Aquatic Animal Medicine was initiated in his honor. Dr. Medway co-authored “A Textbook of Veterinary Clinical Pathology” and contributed book chapters to the Merck Veterinary Manual, Fowler’s Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, and Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy.
He lectured for several years on marine mammal medicine at the annual Aquavet program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass. Dr. Medway was twice appointed to the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission’s Committee of Scientific Advisors. His wife, Carol, and a son survive him.
Eugene G. Miller
Dr. Miller (OSU ’55), 80, Westland, Mich., died Oct. 1, 2005.
Vern F. Olson
Dr. Olson (MIN ’51), 81, Plymouth, Minn., died Nov. 27, 2005. From 1954 until retirement in 1988, he practiced in Clara City, Minn. Dr. Olson also established a veterinary clinic in Olivia, Minn., in 1981. Early in his career, he owned a practice in Litchfield, Minn. Dr. Olson was a member of the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine from 1967-1972, chairing it in 1970. He was active in the Civic and Commerce Club of Clara City and assisted the National FFA Organization. Dr. Olson served in the Navy during World War II. His two sons and a daughter survive him.
Wilbur P. Schwobel
Dr. Schwobel (COR ’42), 89, Harrisonburg, Va., died March 26, 2006. He practiced in Harrisonburg for 41 years. Early in his career, Dr. Schwobel practiced in Summerville, N.J. He was a member of the Virginia VMA and Blue Ridge VMA. Dr. Schwobel’s two sons; a daughter; and two stepdaughters survive him. Memorials may be made to Gideons of Virginia, P.O. Box 734, Harrisonburg, VA 22803; or Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Compassion Fund, 1501 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
J. Frederick Smithcors
Dr. Smithcors (COR ’45), 86, Santa Barbara, Calif., died April 9, 2006. Founder of what is now known as the American Veterinary Medical History Society and its first president, he retired in 1986 as editor-in-chief at American Veterinary Publications in Santa Barbara. Dr. Smithcors also served as editor of the AVMHS magazine, Veterinary Heritage.
Following graduation, he taught veterinary anatomy at Michigan State University, also developing a program of teaching and research in veterinary history. In 1961, Dr. Smithcors joined American Veterinary Publications. During his career, he also served as a visiting professor of veterinary medicine at Washington State University for 20 years. Dr. Smithcors was awarded honorary alumnus status by the university. He was the first veterinarian to become a member of the American Association for the History of Medicine, also serving on its council. Dr. Smithcors chaired the former AVMA Committee on History and was a member of the British Veterinary History Society and the Honorary Editorial Committee of Historia Medicinae Veterinariae.
He published more than 170 history articles and authored major works such as “Evolution of the Veterinary Art,” “The American Veterinary Profession, Its Background and Development,” and “The Veterinarian in America, 1625-1975.” Dr. Smithcors also authored veterinary medicine articles for Encyclopedia Britannica. He was the recipient of grants from the AVMA for his work on veterinary history and from the American Philosophical Society for his work on the history of colonial veterinary medicine. Dr. Smithcors was honored as Pioneer of Veterinary History by the AVMHS. He amassed a collection of some 1,200 veterinary works dating to the 16th century, which he donated to WSU. Later, Dr. Smithcors and his wife, Ann, compiled an annotated catalog of the collection. For their services to the university, they were named benefactors of WSU.
Dr. Smithcors served in the Army Veterinary Corps Reserve, attaining the rank of major. His wife; three daughters; a stepdaughter; and a stepson survive him. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Santa Barbara, 520 W. Junipero St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Edward M. Sullivan
Dr. Sullivan (COR ’51), 81, Portland, Maine, died Oct. 11, 2005. From 1979-2004, he owned a housecall practice. In 1966, Dr. Sullivan established Stoneledge Animal Hospital in Westbrook, Maine. Prior to that, he was a partner at Westbrook Animal Hospital. During his career, Dr. Sullivan also served as a consultant to Maine Medical Center and the University of Southern Maine. His wife, Mary, and three daughters survive him. Memorials in his name may be made to The Cleo Fund, c/o Mary Scott, 28 Byfield St., Portland, ME 04103.