Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Martin D. Avolt

Dr. Avolt (IL ’69), 70, Lafayette, Ind., died Aug. 16, 2012. He was Tippecanoe County (Indiana) coroner. Dr. Avolt began his career as an associate professor of clinical medicine at Purdue University. In 1973, he established a practice in Indiana at West Lafayette and Oxford. Dr. Avolt was first elected Tippecanoe County coroner in 1984 after serving eight years as deputy coroner. As coroner, he helped write legislation requiring all coroners to be trained, to be state-certified, and to participate in continuing education, and he advocated for improved relationships between the police department and the coroner’s office.

Dr. Avolt was the first veterinarian to be elected a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He was a past president of the Indiana State Coroners Association and a past executive director of the Indiana Coroners Training Board. He is survived by his wife, Donna; a daughter; and a son. Memorials toward the Tippecanoe County Extension Program, Food Finders School Backpack Program, or Indiana State Coroners Association Scholarship Fund may be made c/o Family and Friends Funeral Home, 9700 Indiana 55, Wingate, IN 47994.

Charles T. Bland

Dr. Bland (VMR ’86), 51, Sterling, Va., died July 9, 2012. Memorials may be made to Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eight Ave., Suite 902, New York, NY 10018.

Jerry L. Butts

Dr. Butts (COL ’80), 68, Fort Collins, Colo., died July 15, 2012. A small animal practitioner, he owned Orchard Animal Hospital in Loveland, Colo., for 31 years. Dr. Butts was a past president of the Larimer County VMA. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of captain. His wife, Margie; two sons; and a daughter survive him. Memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital may be made c/o Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524.

Timothy A. Cudd

Dr. Cudd (TEN ’82), 55, Gainesville, Fla., died Aug. 26, 2012. He was a professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences until spring 2012. Dr. Cudd also held a joint appointment¬ with the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center in the Department of Medical Anatomy and Neurobiology and was a member of the Interdisciplinary Faculty of Reproductive Biology.

His research focused on alcoholism and the impact of alcohol on fetal development. At the time of his departure from TAMU, his laboratory had been funded with a $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study fetal alcohol syndrome, using a sheep model. During his tenure, Dr. Cudd served on the curriculum committee, chairing it for nearly five years. He received the 2003 Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence and was nominated by the TAMU CVM for a Presidential Professor for Teaching Excellence Award in 2004. In 2010, Dr. Cudd received the Bridges Teaching and Service Award. He was recognized by the Association of Former Students with a College-Level Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching in 2011.

Dr. Cudd began his career practicing equine medicine in Lexington, Ky. During that time, he established possibly the first private practice neonatal foal clinic in the country. In 1992, Dr. Cudd earned a doctorate in fetal physiology from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. He joined the veterinary faculty at TAMU as an assistant professor in 1994. Dr. Cudd was a member of the American Physiological Society and the Research Society on Alcoholism. He and his family bred and trained competition dressage horses. Dr. Cudd is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and a daughter. Memorials may be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 N.W. 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606; or The ALS Association, Development Department, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301.

John R. Curtis

Dr. Curtis (OSU ’38), 97, Portage, Wis., died Aug. 12, 2012. Following graduation, he joined his father, Dr. Charles R. Curtis, in mixed animal practice in Portage, serving Wisconsin’s Columbia, Marquette, Adams, and Sauk counties. In 1950, they established a companion animal practice in Portage. Active in civic life, Dr. Curtis was a past president of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Madison Area Technical College Foundation Board, and Portage Historical Society; served on the Portage School Board for 25 years; helped organize the Cooperative Educational Service Agency, now known as CESA 5; served on the Portage City Council; and was a supervisor on the Columbia County Board. He was named Person of the Year in 2006 and Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1991. Dr. Curtis was an avid curler and represented Wisconsin in the U.S. men’s curling championships in 1957 and 1959. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn; two daughters; and a son. Memorials may be made to The Portage Presbyterian Church, 120 W. Pleasant St., Portage, WI 53901; or Portage Public Library Campaign, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage, WI 53901.

John C. Haromy

Dr. Haromy (ISU ’54), 80, Lake Wales, Fla., died June 8, 2012. Prior to retirement in 2001, he practiced mixed animal medicine in Lake Wales for more than 50 years. Dr. Haromy used alternative and holistic medicine in his practice, including acupuncture, homeopathy, and vitamin therapy. In retirement, he served as a relief veterinarian. Dr. Haromy was a past president of the Ridge VMS and a member of the Florida VMA. In 1987, he received a FVMA Gold Star Award for outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession. Dr. Haromy was a longtime member and a past treasurer of the Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club. His wife, Barbara; a daughter; and two sons survive him.

Hylon J. Heaton Jr.

Dr. Heaton (MSU ’40), 98, Boyne City, Mich., died April 5, 2012. Prior to retirement in 1974, he practiced in Boyne City. Dr. Heaton served on the Boyne City School Board and was active with the Masonic Order. He is survived by two sons and two daughters. One son, Dr. Hylon J. Heaton III (MSU ’68), is a small animal veterinarian in Flint, Mich. Memorials may be made to the Boyne City United Methodist Church, 324 S. Park St., Boyne City, MI 49712.

Paul C. Lambert

Dr. Lambert (COL ’51), 88, Ord, Neb., died April 7, 2012. Prior to retirement, he was a partner in a mixed practice in Ord. Dr. Lambert was a past president of the Nebraska VMA. Active in civic life, he served on the Valley County Hospital Board for several years, was a lifetime member of the Ord Fire Department, and was a past president of the Nebraska Lodging Association. Dr. Lambert is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; a daughter; and two sons. Memorials may be made to the Ord United Methodist Church, 304 S. 16th St., Ord, NE 68862; or Ord Fire Department, 240 S. 16th St., Ord, NE 68862.

Edgar R. Marookian

Dr. Marookian (UP ’54), 85, Clinton Township, N.J., died May 18, 2012. During his career, he founded Clinton Labs in Frenchtown, N.J.; worked for Merck Sharp & Dohme Laboratories; and served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Marookian retired in 1992. In 1999, the Penn School of Veterinary Medicine’s E.R. Marookian, V.M.D. Auditorium was dedicated in his honor. Dr. Marookian also received the Bellwether Medal for his support of the school.

He served in the Army during World War II and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dr. Marookian’s wife, Myrval, and a son survive him. Memorials toward the E.R. Marookian, V.M.D. Research Scholarship Fund may be made to the University of Pennsylvania Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 3800 Spruce St., Suite 172E, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Albert L. Maxfield

Dr. Maxfield (KSU ’46), 88, St. Joseph, Mo., died July 10, 2012. He owned Maxfield Animal Clinic in St. Joseph for more than 50 years. Dr. Maxfield was a past member of the Missouri VMA board of directors and a member of the American Angus Association. Active in civic life, he was a lifetime member of the Kiwanis Club. Dr. Maxfield served in the Army during World War II. He is survived by three sons and a daughter.

Robert L. Miller

Dr. Miller (OSU ’50), 86, Kilmarnock, Va., died Sept. 2, 2012. Prior to retirement, he was vice president of animal health services at A.H. Robins Co. in Richmond, Va. Dr. Miller began his career practicing in Ashland, Ohio, with his father, the late Dr. Andrew L. Miller. He then worked for Hess & Clark Inc. in research before joining A.H. Robins in the early 1970s. Dr. Miller’s career with A.H. Robins included positions as director of veterinary medical services and director of veterinary medical research and development. He was a past president of what is now known as the American Association of Corporate and Public Practice Veterinarians and was named Veterinarian of the Year in 1991. Dr. Miller was a member of the American Association of Avian Pathologists and Ohio, Virginia, and Central Virginia VMAs. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge. Dr. Miller served in the Navy during World War II. He is survived by two sons and a special companion, Norma Drinnon. Memorials may be made to Kilmarnock-Lancaster Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 33, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.

Jerome Payton

Dr. Payton (COR ’40), 96, Morris, N.Y., died Aug. 31, 2012. Prior to retirement in the early 1980s, he worked for the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. He also served as a consulting veterinarian for the H.W. Naylor Co. in Morris for more than 50 years. Early in his career, Dr. Payton practiced mixed animal medicine in Morris for 18 years and worked for the New York State Meat Inspection Program. He was an Army Veterinary Corps veteran of World War II, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Payton is survived by his son and two daughters. One daughter, Dr. Alice J. Payton (COR ’82), is a laboratory animal veterinarian at the University of Connecticut-Storrs. Memorials may be made to the Morris Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 452, Morris, NY 13808.

Wilfred J. Pimentel

Dr. Pimentel (CAL ’53), 86, Fresno, Calif., died Aug. 29, 2012. A mixed animal practitioner, he owned Alta Animal Hospital in Clovis prior to retirement in 1988. Dr. Pimentel also served as veterinarian for the Fresno County rabies clinics for several years. He began his career working at the Elm Avenue Animal Hospital in Fresno. Dr. Pimentel later bought the practice and began focusing on small animal medicine. In 1969, he joined Kansas State University’s Agency for International Development program and moved to Nigeria, where he taught veterinary medicine and surgery as an assistant professor at Ahmadu Bello University, also treating a variety of animals. Dr. Pimentel returned to Fresno in 1973 and established Airport Animal Hospital. He went on to found Alta Animal Hospital.

Dr. Pimentel was a past president of the Central California VMA and a longtime member of the California VMA. He served as a volunteer veterinarian for the 1993 Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska. Dr. Pimentel was active with the Rotary Club and volunteered with Rotary International, helping to initiate a solar cooker project in Kenya. The project was implemented in more than 10 countries, including Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Mexico. Dr. Pimentel’s wife, Marie; three sons; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to The Poverello House, 412 F St., Fresno, CA 93706; The Shrine of St. Therese, 855 E. Floradora, Fresno, CA 93727; or Rotary Club of Fresno Foundation, 2307 N. Pine Ave., Fresno, CA 93727.

Meryl P. Schooley

Dr. Schooley (ONT ’58), 87, Woodstock, Ontario, died Aug. 21, 2012. A mixed animal practitioner, he owned Wellington Animal Hospital in Woodstock for more than 35 years. Dr. Schooley’s wife, Dorothy; two sons; and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to CNIB Donor Services, 1929 Bayview Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada M4G 3E8; Lung Association of Oxford County, 777 Dundas St. Unit 1, Woodstock, ON, Canada N4S 1G1; or Alzheimer Society of Oxford, 575 Peel St., Woodstock, ON, Canada N4S 1K6.

Arthur L. Solie

Dr. Solie (MIN ’55), 81, Green Bay, Wis., died Aug. 11, 2012. Prior to retirement in 1996, he owned a bovine practice in DePere, Wis., for 21 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Solie practiced large animal medicine in Plum City, Wis. His wife, Mary Jo; a son; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Bellin College of Nursing, 3201 Eaton Road, Green Bay, WI 54311.

James Stortz

Dr. Stortz (GA ’05), 34, Avon, Colo., died June 26, 2012. He was a partner at Vail Valley Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in Colorado with locations in Eagle-Vail and Edwards. Dr. Stortz’s brother, Dr. Jeffrey S. Stortz (GA ’04), is a small animal veterinarian in Athens, Ga. Memorials in Dr. James Storz’ s name may be made to Eagle County Animal Services, P.O. Box 57, Eagle, CO 81631.

Carroll K. Weich

Dr. Weich (KSU ’55), 79, Hoskins, Neb., died July 13, 2012. Prior to retirement, he worked for the Department of Agriculture in meat inspection. Earlier in his career, Dr. Weich owned a large animal practice in Pierce, Neb. In retirement, he raised Black Angus cattle. Dr. Weich served as a first lieutenant in the Army Veterinary Corps from 1955-1957. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; two daughters; and two sons.

Cole J. Young Jr.

Dr. Young (AUB ’44), 90, Decatur, Ala., died June 3, 2012. He practiced in Decatur for 45 years. Dr. Young served as a captain in the Army and was a member of the American Legion. His son survives him. Memorials may be made to the Decatur City Animal Shelter, 300A Beltline Road S.W., Decatur, AL 35601.

Obituary notifications

For an obituary to be published, JAVMA must be notified within six months of the veterinarian’s date of death via a toll-free phone call at (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6754; email at newsavma [dot] org (news[at]avma[dot]org); or fax at (847) 925-9329.