Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Cecil D. Behunin

Dr. Behunin (ISU '57), 77, Los Altos, Calif., died Jan. 8, 2010. He practiced small animal medicine in Palo Alto, Calif., for 40 years. Dr. Behunin was a veteran of the Air Force, attaining the rank of captain. His wife, Janice; three daughters; and two sons survive him.

Leonard H. Billups

Dr. Billups (TUS '65), 70, Auburn, Ala., died Oct. 28, 2009. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, he was an associate professor of pathology and director of diagnostic laboratory services at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health. Following graduation, Dr. Billups worked as an instructor in the Department of Pathology at Tuskegee University. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War, after which he established Environmental Pathology Services in Rockville, Md., and worked for Hazelton Laboratories. Dr. Billups later returned to Tuskegee University as associate dean for administration for the School of Veterinary Medicine.

He was a member of the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator's Toxic Substances Advisory Committee and the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council's Expert Panel of Pathologists. Dr. Billups was also a member of the Alabama VMA. He served in the Army Veterinary Corps, retiring as a colonel in 1995. Dr. Billups' wife, Harriet, and two sons survive him. Memorials toward the Leonard and Harriet Billups Endowment Fund may be made to Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, c/o Angela Smith-Bascomb, Office of the Dean, Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee, AL 36088.

Harold C. Burns

Dr. Burns (COL '51), 88, Bainbridge Island, Wash., died Jan. 5, 2010. He co-owned a small animal practice in Santa Monica, Calif., until retirement in 1981. Dr. Burns was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and served in the Army Veterinary Corps during the Korean War. He is survived by his son and daughter. Memorials in his name may be made to Kari's Fund, Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center, 300 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523.

Chad W. Clark

Dr. Clark (KSU '61), 78, Fruitland, Idaho, died Oct. 13, 2009. Prior to retirement, he was a partner at Ashton-Clark Veterinary Clinic in Payette, Idaho, practicing large animal medicine for 40 years. Early in his career, Dr. Clark practiced briefly in Salt Lake City. He was a member of the Idaho VMA and served on the Idaho Board of Veterinary Medicine. Active in civic life, Dr. Clark also served on the Fruitland School Board and the Farmers Mutual Telephone Board. His wife, Karma; three sons; and a daughter survive him. One son, Dr. Keith L. Clark (WSU '87), is a small animal veterinarian in Spokane, Wash. Memorials may be made to the Chad Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Karma Clark, 4941 Eagle View Court, Fruitland, ID 83619; or Fruitland High School, 303 S.W. 3rd St., Fruitland, ID 83619.

Alan A. Creamer

Dr. Creamer (UP '48), 89, Bath, N.Y., died Jan. 4, 2010. A diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, he retired in 1987 as director of the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources at Merck & Co. Inc. in West Point, Pa. Dr. Creamer began his career as an associate veterinarian at a mixed animal practice in Johnstown, Pa. He joined Merck in 1950.

During his tenure, Dr. Creamer helped advance laboratory animal medicine, focusing on nonhuman primates. To lessen the risk to humans from nonhuman primates, he developed a system of primate housing that reduced injuries and disease transmission. Dr. Creamer also established methods to ensure a continual supply of healthy primates to users in the United States and worked with foreign governments to set standards for primate trapping and transportation.

He was associated with the National Academy of Sciences and World Health Organization and helped create and chaired an Institute for Laboratory Animal Research committee on the procurement, holding, compounding, and transportation of primates. Dr. Creamer served on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Committee on Primate Procurement and contributed to the development of a focus group that later became the Association of Primate Veterinarians. He is survived by his wife, Lorna; a son; and two daughters.

Jason L. Dean

Dr. Dean (MIN '07), 32, New York, died Aug. 24, 2009. He practiced small animal medicine at West Hills Animal Hospital in Huntington, N.Y., since 2008. Prior to that, Dr. Dean worked at Wicomico Veterinary Hospital in Salisbury, Md. He was a member of The Society of Phi Zeta. Dr. Dean is survived by his fiancee, Dr. Hillary K. Schilke (STD '07). Memorials may be made to the Dr. Jason Dean Scholarship, 1310 Mt. Herman Road, Salisbury, MD 21804.

Loren L. Eslinger

Dr. Eslinger (CAL '84), 55, Long Beach, Calif., died Dec. 10, 2009. A small animal practitioner and a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, she was a consulting veterinarian for the city of Long Beach Animal Care Services since 2008. During that time, Dr. Eslinger helped initiate the city's first veterinary license premise permit, expanded the range of services offered, created new protocols to improve the health of animals on-site, and built a partnership with the veterinary community. From 1994-2007, she owned Belmont Shore Animal Clinic in Long Beach. Earlier in her career, Dr. Eslinger worked as a relief veterinarian.

In 2009, she received the Friends of Long Beach Animals' Hero to Animals Award for her efforts in aiding stray and abandoned animals and the Long Beach Animal Care Services' One Too Many Award for helping to reduce dog and cat overpopulation. Dr. Eslinger was honored with the Cortese-Lippincott Award in 2010 from the Southern California VMA and its Animal Health Foundation in recognition of her public service. Her husband, Rodric, survives her. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Loren Eslinger Spay and Neuter Fund, City of Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815.

Steven B. Gross

Dr. Gross (OSU '97), 45, Evanston, Wyo., died Dec. 12, 2009. He owned Bear River Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Evanston, for 10 years. Dr. Gross was a member and a past president of the Wyoming Board of Veterinary Medicine. He was also a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and American Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. Gross is survived by his wife, Dr. Pamela S. Handly (WSU '95), and two sons. Dr. Handly practices at Bear River Veterinary Clinic.

Sanford A. MacLean

Dr. MacLean (ONT '57), 76, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, died Dec. 8, 2009.

Edward C. Mather

Dr. Mather (ISU '60), 72, East Lansing, Mich., died Jan. 27, 2010. A diplomate and past president of the American College of Theriogenologists, he retired in 2008 as professor emeritus of veterinary medicine from Michigan State University.

Following graduation, Dr. Mather was in private practice in Fennimore, Wis., for six years. He then joined the University of Missouri-Columbia as an associate professor of medicine and surgery in the College of Veterinary Medicine and director of the Veterinary Reproduction Laboratories. In 1974, Dr. Mather was appointed director of the Division of Theriogenology at the University of Minnesota, where he also taught in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

He joined Michigan State University in 1978 as chair of the Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine and professor of veterinary medicine. During his tenure at MSU, Dr. Mather served as associate dean for research and graduate studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine, coordinated international programs for the college, and was assistant director of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. He also served as deputy director of the university's National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, helping to establish an on-line program in food safety. During a yearlong sabbatical, Dr. Mather traveled to Vienna, where he worked with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

From 1983-1989, he served on the AVMA Council on Education. Dr. Mather was appointed to the AVMA Council on Research in 1993, serving as chair in 1998. He was a member of the Michigan VMA. Dr. Mather received a Norden Distinguished Teaching Award from the University of Minnesota in 1978 and a Stange Award from Iowa State University in 1994. In 1999, he was named an honorary alumnus of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine for his contributions to the college. Dr. Mather is survived by his wife, Mary; a son; and a daughter. Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Okemos, 2258 Bennett Road, Okemos, MI 48823; or Edward and Mary K. Mather Food Safety Student Recognition Award Endowment, MSU CVM Development, F130 Veterinary Medicine Center, East Lansing, MI 48824.

Phillip F. McCarthy

Dr. McCarthy (ONT '77), 58, Lexington, Ky., died Nov. 29, 2009. An equine veterinarian, he owned Watercress Farm in Paris, Ky., and served as a reproductive consultant for stallion farms worldwide. Earlier in his career, Dr. McCarthy worked at Walnut Hall Farm in Lexington, where he served as resident veterinarian and farm manager. His wife, Penelope, and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Markey Cancer Foundation, Melanoma Research, 800 Rose St., Roach Bldg-CC160, Lexington, KY 40536; Sayre School, 194 N. Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40507; or Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504.

LeRoy D. Olson

Dr. Olson (MIN '58), 80, Columbia, Mo., died Jan. 31, 2010. A retired colonel of the Army Veterinary Corps, he was professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Olson served in the Army. In 1960, he joined the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine as an instructor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Pathology, and Public Health.

Dr. Olson moved to the University of Missouri-Columbia as an associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1965, becoming a professor in 1975. During his tenure, he conducted research on diseases affecting livestock and poultry. Dr. Olson developed improved methods of immunization, therapeutic strategies, and management approaches to control various diseases. In 1976, he traveled to Poland on a Polish Academy of Sciences Award to teach swine medicine and in 1979 studied Salmonella control in Scandinavian countries on behalf of the World Health Organization. Dr. Olson was also awarded three Fulbright Lectureship teaching awards, spending a year each in Syria in 1978, Zimbabwe in 1989, and Ukraine in 1998.

In 1995, he was awarded the Pfizer Excellence in Poultry Research Award. Dr. Olson received the American Feed Industry Award in 1996 for his 30 years of contributions to controlling diseases that affect livestock and poultry. His wife, Janice; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the College of Veterinary Medicine, c/o Dr. Ron Cott, W-203 Veterinary Medicine Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211.

Lauretta C. Payne

Dr. Payne (OSU '85), 50, Berlin, Pa., died Nov. 24, 2009. A small animal practitioner, she was a partner at Somerset Veterinary Hospital in Somerset, Pa. Dr. Payne served as regional coordinator for the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas and was treasurer of the Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society. She was also a member of the Somerset County Conservancy, New Jersey Audubon Society, and Collie Club of America. Dr. Payne's husband, Dr. Jeffrey A. Payne (OSU '85), a practitioner at Somerset Veterinary Hospital, and two sons survive her. Memorials may be made to Somerset County Conservancy, P.O. Box 241, Somerset, PA 15501.

Steven K. Samuelson

Dr. Samuelson (IL '82), 56, Orangeville, Ill., died Feb. 10, 2010. A large animal practitioner, he was a partner at Orangeville Animal Health Service. Dr. Samuelson was a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Illinois State VMA, and Academy of Rural Veterinarians. Active in civic life, he was the founder and president of the FFA Alumni for Orangeville High School and a past president of ACT (A Community Together) in Orangeville. Dr. Samuelson is survived by his wife, Debbie; a daughter; and a son. His daughter, Dr. Jessie M. Mills (IL '09), practices at Orangeville Animal Health Service. Memorials in his name may be made to the Norman B. Barr Christian Children's Camp Inc., P.O. Box 70, Williams Bay, WI 53191.

Ronald D. Schulte

Dr. Schulte (KSU '71), 61, Houston, died Sept. 6, 2009. A small animal practitioner, he owned Bay Area Animal Clinic in Houston for 28 years. Dr. Schulte was a veteran of the Army and received the Army Commendation Medal in 1973. His wife, Lisa; a daughter; and two sons survive him. Memorials in his name may be made to the Sarcoma Center, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210.

Gus W. Thornton

Dr. Thornton (OKL '57), 76, Medfield, Mass., died Jan. 24, 2010. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, he was president of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from 1989 until retirement in 2002. During his tenure, the MSPCA provided funding and supplies to sanctuaries in Pakistan, Turkey, and India; equipped antipoaching patrols in Siberia; assisted a wildlife rehabilitation center in Colombia; and funded the rescue of animals caught in natural disasters and wars worldwide.

Dr. Thornton began his career in 1958 at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston. In 1961, he became an assistant to the chief of staff. Dr. Thornton then served as assistant chief of staff from 1965, becoming chief of staff in 1966. Under him, the hospital quadrupled its veterinary staff, instituted a residency program, and established a veterinary intensive care unit. In 1987, Dr. Thornton was named vice president of the Health and Hospitals Division of the MSPCA. He stepped down as chief of staff in 1989 to assume the presidency of the MSPCA.

Past president of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Dr. Thornton was a member of the American Veterinary Radiology Society, Massachusetts VMA, New England VMA, and Metropolitan Boston VMA. He received several honors, including the AAHA Region 1 Service Award in 1982 and the AAHA Gaines Award for contributions to small animal medicine in 1990. In 1995, Dr. Thornton was honored with the AAHA Waltham Award in recognition of outstanding public service activities that have resulted in the improvement of the well-being of domesticated animals. He was also a recipient of the MVMA Merit Award in 2003.

Dr. Thornton is survived by his wife, Joyce; a son; a daughter; and two stepsons. Memorials may be made to MSPCA-Angell, Attn: Donation–Gus Thornton, 350 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.

Lon W. Timpe

Dr. Timpe (COL '56), 86, Sterling, Colo., died Jan. 11, 2010. He practiced large animal medicine in Sterling prior to retirement in the mid-1990s. Dr. Timpe also served as veterinarian for the local fair. He was a member of the Colorado VMA, Northeast Colorado VMA, and Northeast Colorado Cattlemen's Association. Active in civic life, Dr. Timpe was also an honorary member of the Colorado Future Farmers of America Association and the Sterling FFA Chapter. Dr. Timpe was honored by the Logan County Fair for 37 years of service in 1993. He received the FFA Outstanding Service Award in 2002. Dr. Timpe's wife, Mollie; two sons; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Lon W. Timpe DVM Opportunity Grant (to assist local youth in starting livestock projects), c/o Tennant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1547, Sterling, CO 80751.

Roy E. Von Kutzleben

Dr. Von Kutzleben (COR '76), 57, Wyckoff, N.J., died Nov. 15, 2009. He was director of medical affairs at Pfizer Inc. Dr. Von Kutzleben began his career as an associate veterinarian at Wyckoff Animal Clinic. From 1981-1995, he worked for the American Cynamid Company. During that time, Dr. Von Kutzleben served as program manager of the agricultural research division, was regional technical manager of the international agricultural division, served as director of technical services of the animal products division, and was associate director of regulatory affairs and quality assurance.

Before joining Pfizer in 1996, he served as a senior regulatory affairs executive with Mallinckrodt Veterinary in the United Kingdom for a year. In the course of his career with Pfizer, Dr. Von Kutzleben worked as manager of international regulatory affairs, director of global manufacturing compliance, and director of regulatory affairs for Asia.

He was a member and fellow of the Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs. In 1983, the American Cynamid Company honored Dr. Von Kutzleben with an Award of Excellence. He is survived by a son and a daughter. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 20 Mercer St., Hackensack, NJ 07601.

Harold E. Warsinske

Dr. Warsinske (WSU '42), 91, Stanwood, Wash., died Dec. 25, 2009. A mixed animal practitioner, he was the founder of Northwest Veterinary Clinic in Washington state at Stanwood and Arlington. Known for his expertise in the practical application of embryo transplants in dairy cattle, Dr. Warsinske was also the founder partner of BOVA International, an embryo transfer enterprise. During the 1960s, he established Northwest Poultry Supply and the Boumatic Milking Machine Company.

Dr. Warsinske served on the AVMA Executive Board, representing District XI from 1969-1972. A past member of the Washington State Veterinary Board of Governors, he was a past president of the Washington State and Tri-County VMAs. Dr. Warsinske co-authored "A Century of Veterinary History, Livestock Development in the Northwest." In 1971, he was named Washington State Veterinarian of the Year. Active in civic life, Dr. Warsinske served on the Stanwood School Board and was a board member of the Stanwood Senior Center. He is survived by a daughter and two sons. Memorials may be made to the Stanwood Community and Senior Center, 7430 276th St. N.W., Stanwood, WA 98292; or Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA 99164.

Gary L. Watson

Dr. Watson (MSU '66), 67, Webberville, Mich., died Jan. 26, 2010. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, he was an associate professor of veterinary pathology at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine prior to retirement. Dr. Watson was a veteran of the Army. His wife, Eleanor, and three daughters survive him. Memorials in his name may be made to the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI 48824; or American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311.

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