Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Honorary Member

Richard N. Atkinson

Dr. Atkinson (OSU ’71), 66, Earlysville, Va., died Jan. 23, 2007. From 1978 until retirement in 2005, he co-owned Charlottesville Animal Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. Following graduation, Dr. Atkinson practiced a year each in Roanoke, Va., and Maryland. In 1973, he joined Georgetown Veterinary Hospital in Charlottesville.

Dr. Atkinson was a member of the Virginia VMA. He helped establish the Jefferson Area VMA and served as its first representative to the VVMA. Dr. Atkinson’s wife, Melba, and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Lung Cancer Alliance, 1747 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20006; Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202; or The Nature Conservancy, Attn: Treasury (Web/support), 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203.

Michael B. Borkon

Dr. Borkon (MSU ’67), 63, Boca Raton, Fla., died Oct. 30, 2006. He owned Turtle Pond Nursery and Orchids Inc., in Delray Beach, Fla., for 21 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Borkon owned Community Animal Hospital in Morris Plains, N.J. His wife, Sandra; three daughters; and a son survive him.

Gerold E. Brandt

Dr. Brandt (ISU ’40), 91, Marion, Iowa, died March 1, 2007. From 1968 until retirement in 1984, he worked for the Department of Agriculture. Following graduation, Dr. Brandt owned a practice in Garnavillo, Iowa, for 28 years. His two sons and two daughters survive him.

George D. Duby

Dr. Duby (WSU ’43), 87, Chehalis, Wash., died Jan. 22, 2007. From 1944 until retirement in 1980, he practiced in Centralia, Wash. Following graduation, Dr. Duby worked for the Department of Agriculture for a year. He was a past president of the Washington State, Intermountain, and South Puget Sound VMAs. Dr. Duby was also past director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

He served on the advisory boards of the WSVMA and the WSU-CVM, and on the Washington State Board of Veterinary Governors. Under Dr. Duby’s direction, the Washington State VMA instituted its first insurance program. He was one of the authors of Washington’s Practice Act. Known for his expertise on tansy ragwort in the United States, Dr. Duby was the first U.S. veterinarian invited to participate in what was then the Soviet Union’s Academy of Veterinary Medicine. He received several honors, including the WSU Distinguished Alumnus Award, Western States Veterinary Conference Meritorious Service Award, and the WSVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award.

Dr. Duby’s wife, June; a daughter; and a son survive him.

Donald E. Eastly

Dr. Eastly (WSU ’54), 81, Vashon, Wash., died Jan. 16, 2007. Prior to retirement in 1992, he owned a practice in West Seattle for 35 years. Dr. Eastly was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. His wife, Patricia; a daughter; and a son survive him.

Kenneth L. Etchison

Dr. Etchison (MSU ’42), 88, Branch, Mich., died Jan. 20, 2007. He owned Scottville Veterinary Clinic in Scottville, Mich., for more than 60 years. Dr. Etchison served in the Army during World War II in the China-Burma-India theater, attaining the rank of captain. His wife, Barbara; three sons; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Mason County Humane Society, P.O. Box 62, Custer, MI 49405.

John W. Fanton

Dr. Fanton (ISU ’73), 59, Portland, Ore., died March 23, 2007. A diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, he was a member of the faculty at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. Following graduation, Dr. Fanton practiced in Minnesota for three years. He then joined the Air Force, serving on the faculty of the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio until 1982. Dr. Fanton retired as a lieutenant colonel.

His wife, Darla, survives him. Dr. Fanton’s brother, Dr. Robert W. Fanton (ISU ’68), is a veterinarian in Lincoln, Neb. Memorials may be made to the Dr. John W. Fanton Memorial Scholarship Fund, Attn: Dr. John Fanton Memorial, Key Bank of Oregon, 2095 NW 185th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97124.

Forrest G. Ferris

Dr. Ferris (OSU ’54), 84, Hamilton, Ohio, died Dec. 22, 2006. He owned a large animal practice in Oxford, Ohio, until retirement in 2000. Dr. Ferris was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. His wife, Judith; four sons; and a daughter survive him.

Warren M. Hagenbuch

Dr. Hagenbuch (MSU ’49), 87, Blissfield, Mich., died Jan. 27, 2007. Prior to retirement, he worked as a veterinary diagnostician of foreign animal diseases for the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health and Plant Inspection Service for 22 years. Following graduation, Dr. Hagenbuch practiced large animal medicine in Blissfield. An Air Force veteran of World War II, he served as a bomber pilot in the European theater. Dr. Hagenbuch attained the rank of captain and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and Air medals. His wife, Dr. Sally B. Hagenbuch (MSU ’49), a retired Blissfield veterinarian, and two sons survive him.

Joseph A. Heissan

Dr. Heissan (COR ’70), 65, Oneonta, N.Y., died April 16, 2007. An equine practitioner, he was the founder of New England Equine Practice in Ridgefield, Conn., and Brewster, N.Y., focusing on performance horses. In retirement, Dr. Heissan established Equine Consulting Service, and he served as a consultant with NEEP since 2003.

He was a member of the Connecticut VMA and served on its Equine Advisory Board. Dr. Heissan was also a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, past educational chair of the Professional Horsemen’s Association, and state representative for the American Horse Protection Association.

Active in civic life, he was the founder and executive director of the Wiggins Institute for Social Integrity in New Fairfield, Conn. Dr. Heissan also served on the board of directors for the North Wind Undersea Institute in the Bronx, N.Y. He is survived by three sons; two daughters; and two stepdaughters. A memorial scholarship fund is being set up at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine to help finance the education of married veterinary students.

James A. Herring

Dr. Herring (AUB ’75), 67, Biloxi, Miss., died April 19, 2007. From 1978 until retirement in 2005, he owned North Bay Animal Hospital in D’Iberville, Miss. A veteran of the Navy, Dr. Herring retired from the Navy Reserve in 1983 as a commander. His wife, Elizabeth; a son; and a daughter survive him.

John W. Huff

Dr. Huff (TEX ’58), 79, Bryan, Texas, died Nov. 9, 2006. He was professor and assistant head of the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Earlier, Dr. Huff served as professor and assistant head of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology at the college. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. Dr. Huff’s wife, Jean; a son; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219; or Sue Ross Masonic Lodge, 3411 Longmire Drive, College Station, TX 77845.

Frank W. Jordan

Dr. Jordan (KSU ’39), 93, Abilene, Kan., died Jan. 25, 2007. From 1945 until retirement in 1975, he owned Abilene Animal Hospital. Following graduation, Dr. Jordan was acting head of the Veterinary Science Department at Mississippi State College for a year. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps from 1940-1945. Dr. Jordan attained the rank of major.

He was a past president of the Kansas VMA and served on the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners. Dr. Jordan also served on the Kansas State University Alumni Board, KSU Foundation Board of Trustees, and KSU Veterinary Medicine Endowment Board. He was the KVMA alternate delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates from 1965-1970. Dr. Jordan established the Frank W. Jordan Lectureship at the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine and several scholarships throughout the university.

His many honors include the KSU CVM Distinguished Service Award and the KVMA Veterinarian of the Year, President, and Distinguished Service awards. Active in civic life, Dr. Jordan served as president of the Abilene Fair Board and was a founding member of the Community Foundation of Dickinson County. He and his wife, Gwendolyn, were given the Abilene Citizens of the Year Award for their work in the community.

Dr. Jordan is survived by his wife; two sons; and a daughter. His sons, Drs. Frank R. Jordan (KSU ’64) and James S. Jordan (KSU ’71), are veterinarians in Abilene and Corvallis, Ore., and his nephews, Drs. Robert D. Snider (KSU ’75) and Ronald E. Jordan (KSU ’69), are veterinarians in Mesa, Ariz., and Parsons, Kan. Memorials may be made to the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, P.O. Box 735, Abilene, KS 67410; or First United Methodist Church, 601 N. Cedar St., Abilene, KS 67410.

Patrick S. McInturff

Dr. McInturff (CAL ’03), 30, Riverside, Calif., died Oct. 22, 2006. He was in mixed practice in San Jacinto, Calif.

Paul W. Miner

Dr. Miner (COR ’51), 84, Stockbridge, Mass., died Feb. 17, 2007. From 1953 until retirement in 1988, he worked for the Department of Agriculture in Boston. An Army veteran of World War II, Dr. Miner received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. His wife, Sally; two sons; and two daughters survive him.

John L. Myhrom

Dr. Myhrom (MIN ’84), 59, Rochester, Minn., died March 17, 2007. A small animal practitioner, he owned Animal Health Care Veterinary Clinic in Rochester since 1987. Early in his career, Dr. Myhrom practiced in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served in the Army. Dr. Myhrom was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. His wife, Cindy; two daughters; and three stepsons survive him.

James R. Richards

Dr. Richards (OSU ’79), 58, Dryden, N.Y., died April 24, 2007.

At the forefront of feline medicine, Dr. Richards was a trusted source of cat health information for veterinarians and cat owners. He was director of the Feline Health Center at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and editor-in-chief of its publication, Cat Watch. At Cornell, Dr. Richards also directed the Dr. Louis J. Camuti Memorial Feline Consultation and Diagnostic Service.

Dr. Richards was the media spokesman for the American Association of Feline Practitioners and a popular guest on network and cable television shows, including CBS, CNN, and Fox News. Besides textbook chapters, his publishing credits included author of the ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats (2000), and consulting editor and co-author of The Cornell Book of Cats (2nd edition, 1997).

His leadership and expertise served the profession as issues arose such as vaccination protocols, vaccine-associated feline sarcomas, concerns over a commercial vaccine for feline immunodeficiency virus, and the ability of cats to contract avian influenza.

President of the AAFP in 2004, Dr. Richards was reelected to the association’s board of directors this January. Recently he was active in several educational initiatives. These included the KNOW Heartworms campaign (sponsored by the AAFP and the American Heartworm Society) to raise awareness of feline heartworm disease and Healthy Cats for Life, an AAFP/Fort Dodge Animal Health campaign promoting twice-a-year veterinary visits for cats and recognition of behavior changes as potential signs of illness.

Over the years, Dr. Richards chaired or co-chaired AAFP programs and panels, including the Vaccine Recommendation Committee, Retrovirus Testing Recommendation Committee, and Panel on Feline Senior Care. Committees he served on developed practice guidelines and a declaw statement, and addressed feral cat issues. From 2002-2003, Dr. Richards represented the AAFP as alternate delegate in the AVMA House of Delegates. He was a member of the AAFP/Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Retrovirus Testing and Management, which developed new recommendations for feline leukemia virus and FIV testing in 2001.

Before joining Cornell, Dr. Richards worked at Eastside Dog and Cat Hospital in Chesterland, Ohio. Later he provided relief and emergency services at three other clinics. He joined Cornell in 1991 as assistant director of the Feline Health Center and became director in 1997.

Dr. Richards was a member of the New York State VMS, Association of Shelter Veterinarians, Cat Writers’ Association, and Phi Zeta. He served as an adviser to Alley Cat Allies, a nonprofit clearinghouse on feral and stray cats that advocates trap-neuter-return.

Survivors include his wife, Anita Fox Richards, and two sons. Memorials may be made to the Cornell Feline Health Center, James R. Richards Jr. Memorial Fund, College of Veterinary Medicine, Box 39, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Elgin S. Scobell

Dr. Scobell (ISU ’49), 84, Wausau, Wis., died Dec. 8, 2006. He worked for the State of Wisconsin Division of Animal Health for more than 20 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Scobell owned a practice in Wausau. A member of the Wisconsin VMA, he was named Veterinarian of the Year in 1962. Dr. Scobell served as a B-26 pilot in the Air Force during World War II. He earned several medals, including the Purple Heart. Dr. Scobell was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His wife, Amy; two sons; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church, 611 Stark St., Wausau, WI 54403.

Robert W. Wissler

Wissler, MD, PhD, 89, Chicago, died Nov. 28, 2006. Former chair of the University of Chicago Department of Pathology, and the Donald N. Pritzker Distinguished Service Professor emeritus, he served as director of the university’s Specialized Center of Research in Atherosclerosis from 1972-1981.

Known for his expertise in understanding the connection between diet and the development of heart disease, Dr. Wissler did fundamental research on the role of specific dietary fats in atherosclerosis. In 1983, he organized the multicenter cooperative study of the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth. Dr. Wissler also conducted research on the basic mechanisms of cellular immunity, serum sickness, allergic atheritis, rheumatic fever, and cellular mechanisms of antibody formation.

A diplomate of the American Board of Pathology and an honorary diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, he served as visiting scientist to the Theodore Kocher Institute at the University of Berne in Switzerland. Dr. Wissler was a past president of the American Association of Pathologists and Bacteriologists, and the American Society for Experimental Pathology.

Dr. Wissler received multiple honors, including honorary degrees from five universities, the Award of Merit from the American Heart Association, the Goldberger Award from the American Medical Association, and the Gold Headed Cane Award from the American Society of Investigative Pathology. He also received the Joseph A. Capps prize from the Chicago Institute of Medicine and the Julius W. Sturmer Memorial Lecture Award. Dr. Wissler’s wife, Elizabeth; two daughters; and a son survive him.

Wilson H. Wohler

Dr. Wohler (MO ’51), 79, San Angelo, Texas, died Jan. 27, 2007. He was market veterinarian for the Producers Livestock Auction in San Angelo for 20 years. Dr. Wohler also founded Texas Wet Lab Inc., in San Angelo. Early in his career, he served as Army post veterinarian at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas; practiced and ranched in the Fort Worth area of Texas; and served as university veterinarian and associate professor at Texas Tech University for three years.

A founding member of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Dr. Wohler was also a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, Texas VMA, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers associations. His wife, Patsy; four sons; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Concho Valley Home for Girls, San Angelo, TX 76901; or Hospice of San Angelo, 36 E. Twohig Ave., Suite 1100, San Angelo, TX 76903.

Memorial contributions to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation are gratefully accepted. When making such contributions, please indicate the name and address of the individual who should receive notification of your donation. Contact:

AVMF
Department 20-1122
P.O. Box 5940
Carol Stream, IL 60197-5940
www.avmf.org