Obituaries
AVMA member
AVMA honor roll member
Nonmember
Ira M. Fridirici
Dr. Fridirici (UP '43), 89, Orwigsburg, Pa., died Dec. 7, 2009. He practiced small animal medicine at Fridirici Veterinary Hospital in Orwigsburg. Dr. Fridirici's three sons and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society—Schuylkill Unit, 16 N. Fourth St., Minersville, PA 17954; or American Heart Association of Berks and Schuylkill Counties, 25 Stevens Lane, Building A, Suite 10, Reading, PA 19609.
Ronald P. Gentzler
Dr. Gentzler (KSU '66), 69, Clovis, Calif., died Feb. 10, 2010. A small animal practitioner, he owned a practice in Fresno, Calif., for 25 years. Dr. Gentzler also worked with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo until 2005. Earlier in his career, he served in the Air Force. Dr. Gentzler retired from the Air National Guard as a lieutenant colonel in 2000. His daughter, son, and stepdaughter survive him.
Albert J. Gutknecht
Dr. Gutknecht (TEX '41), 93, Menlo Park, Calif., died Feb. 14, 2010. Prior to retirement, he owned a small animal practice in Redwood City, Calif., for 35 years. Dr. Gutknecht was a member of the California VMA and co-founder and past president of the Peninsula VMA. He is survived by a son and a daughter.
Griselda F. Hanlon
Dr. Hanlon (MIN '52), 87, Roseville, Minn., died Jan. 14, 2010. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, she was a professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine until retirement in 1985. Dr. Hanlon's research focused on developing the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of radiology for veterinary medicine. Known for her research on hip dysplasia, she authored the booklet "Canine Hip Dysplasia." Dr. Hanlon served as an epidemiologist with the Navy during World War II.
She was a past president of the ACVR, a life member of the Minnesota VMA, and a member of the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians. In 1973, Dr. Hanlon was selected as the U.S representative to the International Association of Veterinary Radiology, also serving as chair of its international program that year. She was instrumental in helping establish the Minnesota Veterinary Historical Museum in 1985. In 1992, Dr. Hanlon was the recipient of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine's Distinguished Service Award. She was named Minnesota Veterinarian of the Year in 2006.
William H. Harris
Dr. Harris (WSU '55), 89, Selah, Wash., died Jan. 25, 2010. Prior to retirement, he owned a mixed animal practice in Toppenish, Wash., for 35 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Harris practiced in Moses Lake, Wash. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Dr. Harris is survived by his wife, Harriett, and a daughter.
Nathan Z. Howard
Dr. Howard (COR '41), 95, Pompano Beach, Fla., died Nov. 1, 2009. A small animal practitioner, he owned Howard Animal Hospital in Great Neck, N.Y., for more than 30 years. Dr. Howard was an Army Veterinary Corps veteran of World War II, attaining the rank of captain. His wife, Ruth, and two daughters survive him.
Jep P. Hudspeth Sr.
Dr. Hudspeth (GA '66), 67, Clyo, Ga., died March 14, 2010. A small animal practitioner, he was the founder of Southside Hospital for Animals in Savannah, Ga., and Richmond Hill Animal Hospital in Richmond Hill, Ga. After his retirement in 2004, Dr. Hudspeth cattle farmed in Clyo. He was a member of the Georgia VMA and Georgia Cattlemen's Association, and a veteran of the Air Force. Dr. Hudspeth is survived by two sons and a daughter. One son, Dr. Gordon S. Hudspeth (LIV '97), owns Southside Hospital for Animals and Richmond Hill Animal Hospital. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 13117, Savannah, GA 31416; or St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 155 Goshen Road, Rincon, GA 31326.
Robert G. Jackson
Dr. Jackson (IL '60), 77, Ocala, Fla., died March 7, 2010. A retired mixed animal practitioner since 2000, he founded and co-owned Veterinary Associates in Lancaster, Wis. Dr. Jackson was a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. He served in the Army during the Korean War. Dr. Jackson's wife, Julie, and four sons survive him. His sons, Drs. Gregory R. Jackson (IL '82) and Mark W. Jackson (WIS '87), are veterinarians in Loyal, Wis., and Glasgow, Scotland, respectively. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.
Robert B. James II
Dr. James (TEX '58), 77, Helotes, Texas, died Feb. 24, 2010. He practiced equine medicine in the San Antonio area. Dr. James is survived by his wife, Jo Anne; a daughter; and a son.
David M. Jonas
Dr. Jonas (TUF '84), 54, Plymouth, Mass., died March 11, 2010. A small animal practitioner, he was a partner at the Assonet Animal Hospital in Assonet, Mass., from the late 1980s until 2006. During his career, Dr. Jonas also volunteered his services at the Buttonswood Park Zoo in New Bedford, Mass., for several years, and served as secretary for the Freetown State Forest. His father, Dr. Albert M. Jonas (ONT '55), is the founding dean of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Memorials directed toward brain tumor research may be made to The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place W., 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445.
Thomas C. Mason
Dr. Mason (TEX '90), 53, Abilene, Texas, died Jan. 20, 2010. He was a major in the Army's 20th Special Forces Group Airborne. Dr. Mason is survived by his wife, Cathy, and three sons.
Curtis L. McCauley
Dr. McCauley (KSU '59), 81, Emporia, Kan., died Dec. 19, 2009. Prior to retirement, he worked for the Department of Agriculture for 20 years in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. Earlier in his career, Dr. McCauley owned a mixed animal practice in Wakonda, S.D. He was a veteran of the Air Force and Air National Guard. Dr. McCauley retired from the latter as a lieutenant colonel after 37 years of service. He was a member of the American Legion. Dr. McCauley is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; three daughters; a stepdaughter; and a stepson. Memorials may be made to Twin Lakes Four Square Church, 6905 W. Highway 56, Osage City, KS 66523.
Jack Moye
Dr. Moye (ISU '47), 86, Junction City, Ore., died Jan. 29, 2010. He owned a large animal practice in Junction City for 52 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Moye worked for the Oregon Department of Agriculture and owned a practice in Klamath Falls, Ore. From 1978-1986, he served on the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board, including two years as chairman. He participated in the selection process for the first dean of the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Moye was a lifetime member of the Oregon VMA. He served in the Army during World War II. Dr. Moye is survived by his wife, Betty, and three daughters.
James P. Raab
Dr. Raab (ONT '66), 68, Fort Pierce, Fla., died Dec. 11, 2009. A small animal practitioner, he owned the Tri County Animal Hospital in Fort Pierce prior to retirement in 2004. Earlier in his career, Dr. Raab practiced in Seaforth, Canada, and worked in the pharmaceutical industry in Montreal, Canada, and Greensboro, S.C. He was a member of the Canadian and Ontario VMAs and a past president of the St. Lucie County Humane Society. Dr. Raab was also a member of the Kiwanis Club. His wife, Pamela; a daughter; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to the St. Lucie County Humane Society, 100 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34982.
James S. Sasala
Dr. Sasala (OSU '59), 79, Perry, Ohio, died Oct. 25, 2009. A small animal practitioner, he was the founder of Mentor Animal Hospital in Mentor, Ohio. Dr. Sasala served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Ohio VMA and a past president of the Cleveland Academy of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sasala was also a member of the American Legion. His wife, Sheila, and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 6100 Rockside Woods Blvd., #260, Independence, OH 44131; or American Cancer Society, 10501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106.
J.C. Smith
Dr. Smith (KSU '45), 87, Ottawa, Kan., died Feb. 15, 2010. A mixed animal practitioner, he had owned Ottawa Veterinary Hospital since 1968. Dr. Smith began his veterinary career practicing in Minot, N.D.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Mapleton, Kan. In 1954, he joined the veterinary faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, later teaching at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1958 Dr. Smith moved to Ottawa, where he began practicing mixed animal medicine. He was a member of the Kansas VMA and a veteran of the Army, with the rank of captain. Dr. Smith is survived by his wife, Joanne; two sons; and two daughters. His son, Dr. Edgar J. Smith (KSU '81), practices at Ottawa Veterinary Hospital, and his grandson, Dr. Adam Smith (KSU '09), is a veterinarian in Kearney, Neb. Memorials may be made to Richmond Healthcare Center, Alzheimer's Unit, 340 S. South, Richmond, KS 66080.
Steven G. Stoll
Dr. Stoll (IL '69), 66, Lynnwood, Wash., died Jan. 18, 2010. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, he was a staff surgeon at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center in Lynwood for the past two and a half years. Prior to that, Dr. Stoll owned Seattle Veterinary Hospital for Surgery in Lynnwood for 25 years. Early in his career, he worked as a staff orthopedic surgeon at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and served as a professor of surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Stoll was past director of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society, served on the ACVS Examination Committee in the 1980s, helped found the Association for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Education, and was a member of the Washington State VMA and American Animal Hospital Association. In 1981, while at MU, he received the Carl J. Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Stoll is survived by his wife, Dr. Beverly H. Stoll (MO '80), a small animal practitioner in Lynnwood; three daughters; and two sons. Memorials may be made to Christian Veterinary Mission, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133; or Jesuit Volunteer Corps, 801 Saint Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202.
Russell L. Whitford
Dr. Whitford (ISU '43), 89, Pendleton, Ore., died Jan. 6, 2010. A mixed animal practitioner, he founded the Pendleton Veterinary Clinic in 1946. Dr. Whitford also served as veterinarian for the Pendleton Round Up Rodeo Association for 25 years. After retirement in 1982, he worked for Federal Crop Insurance Corporation as an inspector and manager. Early in his career, Dr. Whitford served as Illinois state veterinarian. He was a past member of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board.
Dr. Whitford served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War. He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. Dr. Whitford's daughter and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to Pendleton First Presbyterian Church, 201 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton, OR 97801.
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