Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Leo D. Agustin

Dr. Agustin (ROS '93), 39, Naperville, Ill., died Dec. 5, 2009. A small and exotic animal veterinarian, he practiced and served as president at Aamerican Veterinary Hospital in Bolingbrook and Oak Park, Ill. Dr. Agustin was a member of the Chicago VMA.

Frank B. Bolenbaugh

Dr. Bolenbaugh (MSU '55), 90, Coleman, Mich., died Feb. 12, 2010. Prior to retirement in 1984, he owned a practice in Coleman. During retirement, Dr. Bolenbaugh bred and raised Standardbred horses at Starwin Farm in Coleman, also serving as resident veterinarian. He was a member of the Michigan VMA and Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association. Dr. Bolenbaugh is survived by his son. Memorials may be made to Coleman Wesleyan Church, 110 Webster St., Coleman, MI 48618; or Coleman Senior Citizen Center, 415 E. Webster St., Coleman, MI 48618.

Benard O. Griffith

Dr. Griffith (GA '56), 78, Franklin, Tenn., died Jan. 6, 2010. He practiced small animal medicine in Nashville, Tenn., for more than 30 years. Dr. Griffith initially practiced at Griffith Animal Hospital, which he co-founded with his brother, Dr. Leland E. Griffith (now deceased). He then established Hillsboro Animal Hospital. Dr. Griffith was a member of the American Animal Hospital Association and Tennessee VMA. He founded the Bulldog Club of Middle Tennessee and was past vice president of the University of Georgia Alumni Society. Dr. Griffith's son and daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America, 1300 Tripp Road, Somerville, TN 38068.

Ronald F. Hurley

Dr. Hurley (UP '73), 62, West Creek, N.J., died Jan. 28, 2010. Prior to retirement in 2009, he served as medical director at Stafford Veterinary Hospital in Manahawkin, N.J., a small animal practice he previously co-owned for more than 20 years. Dr. Hurley is survived by his life partner, Gina Nozza, and two sons. Memorials may be made to Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, Peter O'Dwyers Research, c/o Amy Kramer, 3400 Spruce St., 12 Penn Tower, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Ronald F. Jackson

Dr. Jackson (MSU '40), 91, St. Augustine, Fla., died Jan. 17, 2010. A small animal practitioner, he owned Jackson Veterinary Practice in St. Augustine from 1944-1991. Earlier, Dr. Jackson practiced in Bel Air, Md. During his career, he also conducted a research program and held a clinical professorship at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

Known internationally for his research and expertise in canine heartworm disease, Dr. Jackson helped organize and served as charter president of the American Heartworm Society. He was Florida's delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates from 1968-1972. In 1971, Dr. Jackson was elected to the AVMA Executive Board, representing District III. He was named chair in 1975. From 1960-1970, Dr. Jackson served on the AVMA Council on Veterinary Service, twice chairing the council.

He was a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Radiology Society, American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists, International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, and Jacksonville VMA. Dr. Jackson was named Florida Veterinarian of the Year in 1963. That same year, he received the Gaines Award and medal for his contributions to the advancement of small animal medicine and surgery. In 1968, Dr. Jackson was the recipient of the Florida VMA Gold Star Award. He received the University of Georgia's A.M. Mills Award in 1969.

In 1979, Dr. Jackson was the recipient of a Ralston Purina Small Animal Research Award for his research that led to the development of a simple surgical technique for treatment of the caval syndrome of canine heartworm disease. He was honored by the AAHA with a Region 2 Practitioner- of-the-Year Award in 1981 and the Charles E. Bild Practitioner-of-the-Year Award in 1982 for continuing efforts in canine heartworm disease research. In 1995, the American Heartworm Society dedicated its eighth triennial symposium and proceedings book to Dr. Jackson.

Active in civic life, he was past mayor of St. Augustine. Dr. Jackson was also past city commissioner and past president of the city's chamber of commerce. He is survived by his wife, Alice, and three daughters.

Mariah Kochavi

Dr. Kochavi (TUF '06), 29, Bethesda, Md., died Dec. 24, 2009. She was a captain in the Army Veterinary Command at Fort Meade, Md., serving as veterinarian for 150 working dogs used by government agencies in the greater Washington, D.C., area. Dr. Kochavi also commanded several military and civilian personnel deployed at military installations around the area, including the Naval Academy at Annapolis and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Memorials may be made to Balanced Innovative Teaching Strategies Inc., Little Brook Farm—B.I.T.S. Program, P.O. Box 127, 548 County Route 13, Old Chatham, NY 12136.

Charles A. Kucirek

Dr. Kucirek (MIN '56), 88, Marshfield, Wis., died Dec. 14, 2009. He practiced in Wisconsin at Auburndale and Stratford. Dr. Kucirek served in the South Pacific during World War II as an airplane and engine mechanic. He is survived by his wife, Janice, and two sons.

James A. Libby

Dr. Libby (MIN '59), 75, Bloomington, Minn., died Jan. 8, 2010. A small animal practitioner and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, he was the founder of South Hyland Pet Hospital in Bloomington, practicing there until retirement in 2004. Earlier in his career, Dr. Libby taught at the Federal Meat Hygiene Center in Chicago, served as an associate professor of public health at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, and worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a meat inspector. He also served as a consultant to the Pan American Health Organization.

Dr. Libby was a past president of the Minnesota VMA and past chair of its Public Relations Committee. He worked with the Minnesota State Fair and the MVMA to create the MVMA Surgery Suite and Miracle of Birth Center, enabling fair attendees to witness live animal surgeries and animal births for public education. Dr. Libby also served on the Minnesota Health Advisory Committee. In 1980, he received the Minnesota Veterinary Alumni Association's Outstanding Alumnus Award. Dr. Libby was named Minnesota Veterinarian of the Year in 1981 and received the MVMA President's Award in 1996.

Active in civic life, he was a past president of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, a charter member and past president of the Bloomington Lions Club, and a board member of the Bloomington Education Foundation. Dr. Libby's wife, Pat; a son; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation, 101 Bridgepoint Way #100, South St. Paul, MN 55075; or University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota Foundation, C-M 3854, P.O. Box 70870, St. Paul, MN 55170.

Roland C. Mallett

Dr. Mallett (TEX '44), 89, Georgetown, Texas, died Jan. 25, 2010. Prior to retirement in 1982, he practiced in Dallas for more than 30 years. During his career, Dr. Mallett also served as an associate professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences for three years. He was a past president of the Texas VMA and a founding member and past president of the Dallas County VMA. Dr. Mallett's wife, Patricia, and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202.

Robert H. Packard

Dr. Packard (COL '55), 87, Hesperia, Calif., died Oct. 2, 2009.

Nicholas E. Palumbo

Dr. Palumbo (MO '59), 81, Honolulu, died Jan. 10, 2010. He was professor emeritus at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and co-founder of The Cat Clinic in Honolulu with his wife, Dr. Mary S. Sylvester- Palumbo (PHI '84). Dr. Palumbo began his career at the UH Manoa as an associate veterinarian at its Pacific Biomedical Research Center. In 1970, he was appointed professor of comparative medicine at the university's John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Palumbo served as chairman of the Division of Comparative Medicine from 1978 until he retired in 1990 to co-establish his practice. He was active with the Hawaiian Humane Society for more than 30 years, serving as veterinarian and as a member of its board of directors. Dr. Palumbo was a Marine veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, five sons, and two daughters. Memorials may be made to the Hawaiian Humane Society, 2700 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI 96826; or Easter Seals Hawaii, 710 Green St., Honolulu, HI 96813.

Donna L. Peterson

Dr. Peterson (WSU '75), 68, Boise, Idaho, died Jan. 10, 2010. In 1976, she established the Animal Medical Center in Boise, practicing small animal medicine until retirement in 2009. Dr. Peterson is survived by her life partner, Connie Auth. Memorials may be made to Mountain States Tumor Institute, 100 E. Idaho St., Boise, Idaho 83712.

Jack B. Ross

Dr. Ross (TEX '46), 86, Columbus, Ga., died Dec. 28, 2009. He was the founder of the Animal Health Center and co-owner of Animal Health Products in Jackson, Miss. Dr. Ross was a member of the Mississippi VMA. A past president of the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association, he was inducted into the Mississippi Cattlemen's Hall of Fame in 2007. Dr. Ross' wife, Lillian; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 240 Wise Center Drive, P.O. Box 6100, Mississippi State, MS 39762; ACTS Home of El Pueblo and Project Safe Space (a nonprofit organization), P.O. Box 145, Biloxi, MS 39530; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Neil T. Shipman

Dr. Shipman (OSU '47), 85, Naples, Fla., died Dec. 9, 2009. During his career, he practiced mixed animal medicine in Tiffin, Ohio; Sharon, Pa.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Highlands, N.C. While in St. Petersburg, Dr. Shipman also served as veterinarian for the aquarium. Early in his career, he was a captain in the Air Force, stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he served as chief meat inspector and head veterinarian. Dr. Shipman was a member of the Rotary Club. His wife, Ruth; a son; and two daughters survive him.

Royall B. Smithey

Dr. Smithey (OSU '69), 66, Columbia, S.C., died Jan. 3, 2010. A small animal practitioner, he owned Smithey Mobile Veterinary Practice and served as a relief veterinarian for the past 15 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Smithey practiced in Maine at Portland and Windham for 25 years. He was a member of the Maine VMA. Dr. Smithey is survived by his wife, Felicia; a son; and a daughter. Memorials may be made to Morris Animal Foundation, 10200 E. Girard Ave., Suite B430, Denver, CO 80231; or Pets Inc—The Carolinas Humane Society, 300 Orchard Drive, P.O. Box 6394, West Columbia, SC 29171.

Lewis N. Springer

Dr. Springer (TEX '54), 81, Warrenton, Va., died Feb. 5, 2010. A mixed animal practitioner, he owned a practice in Warrenton prior to retirement in 2002. Earlier in his career, Dr. Springer practiced in Dublin, Va. He served on the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine and Virginia State Board of Radiology. Dr. Springer was a member and past secretary-treasurer of the Virginia VMA.

Active in civic life, he was an honorary member of the Warrenton Rotary Club and served on the board of directors of the former People's National Bank of Warrenton. Dr. Springer's wife, Margaret, and three sons survive him. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Association, 11240 Waples Mill Road, Suite 402, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Bruce C. Watson

Dr. Watson (KSU '42), 90, Bakersfield, Calif., died Feb. 18, 2010. He owned Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital, a small animal practice in Bakersfield, prior to retirement in 1985. Dr. Watson served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Lions and Kiwanis clubs. Dr. Watson is survived by his wife, Betty; a daughter; and two sons.