Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Richard F. Bristol

Dr. Bristol (MSU '51), 85, Waunakee, Wis., died July 6, 2010. He was professor emeritus and past associate dean for clinical affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation and until 1962, Dr. Bristol practiced in Montfort, Wis. During that time, he also served as a visiting lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. From 1962-1970, Dr. Bristol worked at Iowa State University. He then returned to Wisconsin, where he set up practice in Merrill. In 1974, Dr. Bristol joined the University of Wisconsin Extension Service as a professor and in 1981 he moved to the School of Veterinary Medicine in the same capacity.

Dr. Bristol was a past president of the Wisconsin and Southwestern Wisconsin VMAs. He was named Wisconsin Veterinarian of the Year in 1958 and received a 50-year Award in 2001. Dr. Bristol also received the Iowa-Grant County Award for contributions to education in 1960 and the Cardinal Key for outstanding leadership, service, scholarship, and character from ISU in 1967. His wife, Barbara; a son; and four daughters survive him.

Rosendo Cordero

Dr. Cordero (KSU '47), 86, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, died May 27, 2010. During his career, he worked for the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; served on the faculty of what was known as the Mayaguez College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, where he eventually directed the Animal Industry Department; and owned a mixed animal practice and a veterinary products distribution company in the Mayaguez area. In the 1960s, Dr. Cordero served on the Puerto Rico Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. He was a founding member of the Colegio de Medicos Veterinarios of Puerto Rico and served on its board of directors. Dr. Cordero is survived by a daughter and a son.

Gregory J. Gramer

Dr. Gramer (MIN '97), 39, Shoreview, Minn., died July 5, 2010. He was an associate veterinarian at the Farmington Veterinary Clinic in Farmington, Minn. Dr. Gramer began his career at Indian Lake Animal Clinic in Hendersonville, Tenn. In 2000, he moved back to Minnesota, where he practiced in the Twin Cities and served as an instructor of veterinary technology at Globe College in Oakdale. Dr. Gramer is survived by his wife, Dr. Marie R. Gramer (MIN '97), who serves on the veterinary faculty of the University of Minnesota. Memorials may be made to the CVM Class of 1997, Greg Gramer Memorial Scholarship, CVM Development Office, 1365 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.

Ronald J. Greer

Dr. Greer (CAL '71), 65, Eugene, Ore., died July 4, 2010. A small animal practitioner, he owned Animal Health Associates, with clinics in Eugene and Creswell, Ore., prior to retirement in late 2006. Dr. Greer is survived by his wife, Rosemary, and three daughters.

John E. Henton

Dr. Henton (MSU '68), 66, Knoxville, Tenn., died July 22, 2010. He was a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Henton also directed continuing education for the university and coordinated alumni activities at the college. From 1994-1997, he served as chairman of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee. During that time, Dr. Henton strived for first-class scientific programming for practitioners as well as veterinarians in public health and research. Under his leadership, the committee converted the program into a grid for attendees, began publishing bound "Convention Notes," and had veterinary technicians create their own program for the AVMA Annual Convention. In 1997, the AVMA Executive Board presented a resolution to Dr. Henton, acknowledging and commending his efforts as chairman of the CMPC.

A past president of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and the Tennessee VMA, Dr. Henton was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Society for Theriogenology, and American Association of Veterinary Clinicians. He received the TVMA Faculty Award in 1985. He is survived by his wife, Cathryn. Memorials may be made to the Bellaire Community United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 235, Bellaire, MI 49615.

Cindie D. Holub

Dr. Holub (OSU '83), 52, Westford, Mass., died Feb. 28, 2010. She co-owned Countryside Veterinary Hospital, a small animal practice in Chelmsford, Mass., with her husband, Dr. Brian E. Holub (OSU '83), since 1985. Earlier in her career, Dr. Holub owned Merrimack Equine Practice in Merrimack, N.H. An avid horsewoman and athlete, she participated in several marathons and triathlons. Dr. Holub's husband and four sons survive her. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Greater Akron, 7996 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, OH 44087.

Davis A. McCue

Dr. McCue (OSU '57), 78, Richmond, Va., died June 17, 2010. A small animal practitioner, he owned Hilliard Veterinary Hospital in Richmond prior to retirement in 2003. Earlier in his career, Dr. McCue practiced at Farmers Veterinary Hospital in Richmond. His wife, Barbara; two daughters; and a son survive him.

Carlton W. Remer

Dr. Remer (MSU '39), 94, Utica, Mich., died June 21, 2010. He practiced in the Utica area for 41 years. Dr. Remer was a member of the Michigan VMA and a founding member of the Macomb County VMA. He is survived by four sons and four daughters. Memorials may be made to The Todd Remer Scholarship Fund, Trinity Lutheran Church, 45160 Van Dyke, Utica, MI 48317.

Ralph W. Rieke

Dr. Rieke (ISU '43), 94, Fairmont, Minn., died July 9, 2010. Prior to retirement in 1986, he owned a mixed animal practice in Fairmont for 42 years. He also bred and raised Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses. Dr. Rieke was a life member of the Minnesota VMA and a past member of the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine. Active in civic life, he was also a 50-year member of the Kiwanis Club. Dr. Rieke is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; three sons; and a daughter. One son, Dr. Todd W. Rieke (MIN '75), is a relief veterinarian in White Bear Lake, Minn.

Norman R. Schneider

Dr. Schneider (KSU '68), 67, Ceresco, Neb., died July 5, 2010. A past president of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, he was a veterinary toxicologist in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1979 until retirement in 2002. Early in his career, Dr. Schneider served 11 years in the Air Force as a base veterinarian and veterinary toxicologist. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force Reserve in 1995, after 30 years of commissioned service, the last 16 of those as chief of public health with the Nebraska Air National Guard.

During his tenure at UNL, Dr. Schneider developed new majors in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, served as an academic adviser, and directed the preveterinary advising center in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. He also coordinated and initiated the UNL Chapter of Veterinary Scholars Early Admission Program at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Schneider was a fellow and past councilor for the American Academy of Veterinary and Comparative Toxicology and a member of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and Kansas and Nebraska VMAs. He served as a representative for the veterinary profession on the Nebraska State Board of Health and was an adviser and consultant for the Nebraska Master Poison Control Center. In 2004, Dr. Schneider received a KSU CVM Alumni Recognition Award. He also received several awards from UNL, recognizing his teaching, advising, and mentoring skills.

A life member of the American Legion, Dr. Schneider was the recipient of several military honors, including the Meritorious Service, Joint Services Commendation, and Air Force Commendation medals. He was also honored by the Nebraska National Guard Association with a Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Schneider's wife, Karen, and a son survive him. Memorials toward an UNL veterinary scholarship may be made c/o Karen Schneider, 1860 County Road D, Ceresco, NE 68017.

Lester G. Slayton Jr.

Dr. Slayton (ISU '56), 82, Pueblo, Colo., died July 9, 2010. Prior to retirement in 1995, he worked as veterinarian-in-charge for the Department of Agriculture in meat inspection. Earlier in his career, Dr. Slayton owned a mixed animal practice in Missouri with offices in Mercer and Princeton, and later in Lineville, Iowa. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he was a member of the American Legion. Dr. Slayton is survived by his wife, Mary, and three stepdaughters. His granddaughter, Dr. Tegwin K. Taylor (ISU '03), is a veterinarian in Charleston, W.Va. Memorials in his name may be made to Pueblo Animal Services, 4600 Eagleridge Place, Pueblo, CO 81008; Diabetes Foundation, 13 Sunflower Ave., Paramus, NJ 07652; or Southern Colorado Alzheimer's Association, 455 Sherman St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203.

James H. Steere

Dr. Steere (CAL '53), 85, Petaluma, Calif., died Aug. 3, 2010. He practiced equine medicine for more than 50 years, primarily in California's Sonoma and Marin counties, founding a practice in Santa Barbara, and Artaurus Veterinary Clinic in Petaluma. During that time, Dr. Steere also taught a veterinary technology course at Indian Valley College in Marin for more than 30 years. Early in his career, he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen.

Dr. Steere was a member of the Marin and Sonoma horse councils and participated in long-distance endurance riding, helping to establish many of the safety standards that govern the sport today. A veteran of World War II, he served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Dr. Steere is survived by his wife, D'Ann, and eight children. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma, CA 94952.

Hilding M. Strandberg

Dr. Strandberg (COL '46), 87, Atherton, Calif., died June 4, 2010. He owned Redwood Pet Hospital in Redwood City, Calif. Dr. Strandberg was a veteran of the Army and Air Force. While serving in the Army, he was stationed in postwar Japan, where he established a veterinary clinic in Tokyo and initiated a rabies immunization and control program. Dr. Strandberg also conducted food inspection, worked in zoonotic disease control, and provided care for military working dogs. He was a member of the California and Peninsula VMAs and the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Strandberg's wife, Patricia, and five children survive him.

Jack P. Stream

Dr. Stream (ISU '51), 87, Creston, Iowa, died July 19, 2010. Co-founder of Creston Veterinary Clinic, he practiced in Creston from 1951-1990. Dr. Stream was a past president of the Southwest Iowa VMA and served on the Advisory Committee of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Active in civic life, he was a past president of the Creston School Board and the Kiwanis Club. Dr. Stream served in the Army during World War II. His wife, Lorraine; two sons; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to Greater Regional Hospice Home, 1700 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801; or Creston Animal Rescue Effort, 304 W. DeVoe, Creston, IA 50801.

Eldon M. Todd

Dr. Todd (KSU '54), 86, Sabetha, Kan., died July 28, 2010. A mixed animal practitioner, he founded Todd Animal Clinic in Sabetha in 1955. Earlier in his career, Dr. Todd practiced for a year in Des Moines, Iowa. He was a lifetime member of the Kansas VMA. Dr. Todd's wife, Adelle; a son; and two daughters survive him. Memorials toward the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine may be made c/o Popkess Mortuaries, 823 Virginia St., Sabetha, KS 66534.

Your assistance is needed to ensure timely publication of obituaries. Please report the death of a colleague or relative promptly to the AVMA News Staff via a toll-free phone call at (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6754; newsavma [dot] org (email); or fax at (847) 925-9329.