Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Norbert E. Algiers

Dr. Algiers (MIN ’59), 82, Slinger, Wis., died Feb. 7, 2013.

Elihu B. Boroson

Dr. Boroson (COR ’53), 84, Tucson, Ariz., died Jan. 29, 2013. A small animal veterinarian, he founded Springdale Animal Hospital in 1957 in Stamford, Conn., where he practiced until retirement in 1980. Earlier in his career, Dr. Boroson served as a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps. His wife, Sarah; two sons; and two daughters survive him.

Robert E. Habel

Dr. Habel (OSU ’41), 94, Ithaca, N.Y., died Jan. 22, 2013. He was professor emeritus of veterinary anatomy at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine since 1978. Dr. Habel joined Cornell in 1947 as an assistant professor of veterinary anatomy. During his tenure, he headed the Department of Veterinary Anatomy for 16 years. In retirement, Dr. Habel served as a senior staff member in the Department of Functional Morphology at the University of Utrecht in The Netherlands and was a Williams Visiting Scholar in the Department of Anatomy at the University of Sydney in Australia. Early in his career, he worked for the Department of Agriculture in meat inspection; served in the Army Veterinary Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of captain; and was an instructor at The Ohio State University. Dr. Habel continued to serve in the Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1978.

Dr. Habel wrote a laboratory guide in applied anatomy for veterinary students and helped translate “Fundamentals of the Histology of Domestic Animals.” He also authored the textbook “Guide to the Dissection of Domestic Ruminants” and co-authored “Applied Veterinary Anatomy,” “Rooney’s Guide to the Dissection of the Horse,” and “Fundamentals of the Histology of Domestic Animals.”

Dr. Habel was a past president of the World Association of Veterinary Anatomists and American Association of Veterinary Anatomists and a past chair of the International Committee on Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature. He was a member of several organizations, including the American Association of Anatomists, European Association of Veterinary Anatomists, and New York State VMS.

Dr. Habel received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the The Ohio State University in 1983. In 1988, the AAVT honored him with the Outstanding Achievement Award. Dr. Habel’s wife, Wilma, and a son survive him. Memorials in his name may be made to the Francis H. Fox Scholarship Fund, Alumni Affairs Box 39, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853.

William C. Hunter

Dr. Hunter (MO ’64), 78, Sterling, Colo., died Jan. 26, 2013. Following graduation, he began his career in Sterling and in 1969 established a mixed animal practice there, owning it until retirement in 2012. Dr. Hunter also owned a cattle and wheat farm near Sterling for several years and was active with the 4-H Club, assisting with the local fair. He was a member of the Colorado and Northeast Colorado VMAs. Dr. Hunter was a veteran of the Army. He is survived by his wife, Ruth. Memorials toward Hospice of the Plains or Anschutz Cancer Pavilion may be made c/o Tennant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1547, Sterling, CO 80751.

Victor L. Hutto

Dr. Hutto (AUB ’82), 60, Riverdale, Ga., died Feb. 10, 2013. He was president and chief of surgery at Riverdale Surgical Specialty, a referral small animal surgical practice he founded in 1992. Earlier in his career, Dr. Hutto served as an assistant professor of small animal surgery and medicine at the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. Memorials may be made to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, 712 LG Griffin Road, Locust Grove, GA 30248; www.noahs-ark.org.

Robert P. Jones

Dr. Jones (MO ’50), 91, Springfield, Va., died Oct. 31, 2012. He worked for the Department of Agriculture for more than 30 years, retiring as assistant to the deputy administrator of veterinary services in the Agricultural Research Service. During his career with the USDA, Dr. Jones spent a year in Mexico with the Mexico-United States foot-and-mouth disease commission; worked in Iowa, Ohio, and Indiana; served as assistant to the section heads of veterinary biologics licensing and inspection in Washington, D.C.; and was associate director of what was known as the ARS Veterinary Biologics Division. A World War II veteran, he served in the Army Medical Corps. Dr. Jones’ wife, Martha Ann; three daughters; and two sons survive him.

Jiro J. Kaneko

Dr. Kaneko (CAL ’56), 88, Davis, Calif., died Jan. 18, 2013. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, he retired in 1994 as professor emeritus from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kaneko began his career at UC-Davis in 1959 after obtaining his doctorate in comparative biochemistry from the university in 1959. During his tenure, he chaired the Department of Clinical Pathology and focused his work on clinical biochemistry. Dr. Kaneko was the co-editor of the first and sixth editions of the book “Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals.” He was a life member of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology and a member of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, American Physiological Society, and what is now known as the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.

In retirement, Dr. Kaneko served on the Davis City Council and the board of directors of the Davis Community Meals and Shelter, was vice chair of the Capitol Corridors Joint Powers Board and Yolo County Water Association, and served as liaison for the City of Davis Human Relations Committee and City of Davis Senior Citizens Commission. Dr. Kaneko was also active with the Davis Sunrise Rotary Club, Yolo County Farm Bureau, Yolo County Land Trust, Yolo County Community Services Action Board, and Yolo County Health Council, representing the county on the Aging Advisory Board. In 2012, he was recognized with a Mexican American Concilio of Yolo County Board of Directors Recognition Award.

Dr. Kaneko is survived by his wife, Teresa; three sons; a stepson; and a stepdaughter. His sons, Drs. Jiro J. Kaneko (FL ’87) and Saburo J. Kaneko (CAL ’87), are veterinarians in Hawaii and California, respectively. His stepdaughter, Dr. Louisa Bynum (CAL ’87), is a veterinarian in California. Memorials toward the Jerry and Teresa Kaneko Fund for Faculty Development may be made to UC Regents, UC-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 1167, Davis, CA 95617.

Hugo A. Medina

Dr. Medina (MEX ’70), 66, Plymouth, Minn., died Nov. 30, 2012. A past president of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, he served as chief veterinarian for Sparboe Farms in Litchfield, Minn. Earlier in his career, Dr. Medina worked in Indiana, Oregon, California, and Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy Hawker. Memorials may be made to Iowa State University Foundation, Dr. Hugo Medina Scholarship Fund for Veterinary Medicine, c/o Center Fresh Group, 241 Saint Andrews Way, Sioux Center, IA 51250.

Thomas C. Melzer

Dr. Melzer (COL ’78), 60, Grand Junction, Colo., died Sept. 4, 2012. A small animal veterinarian, he was the founder of Orchard Mesa Veterinary Hospital in Grand Junction. Early in his career, Dr. Melzer practiced in Oregon and Franktown, Colo. A past president of the Grand Valley VMA, he served as a Colorado VMA district representative and was a member of the CVMA Leadership Council and CVMA Commission on Association and Professional Affairs. Dr. Melzer also held office with the Mesa County Animal Welfare Forum and Grand Valley Veterinary Medical Clinic. His wife, Judy, and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Tom Melzer Memorial Animal Fund, 2668 Highway 50, Grand Junction, CO 81503.

Robert L. Rausch

Dr. Rausch (OSU ’45), 91, Bainbridge Island, Wash., died Oct. 6, 2012. He was professor emeritus in the Department of Comparative Medicine at the University of Washington. Dr. Rausch began his career in 1948 at the United States Public Health Service Arctic Health Research Center in Alaska, after earning his master’s in bacteriology and parasitology from Michigan State University and while pursuing his doctorate in parasitology and wildlife management from the University of Wisconsin (1949). During his time in Alaska, he investigated zoonotic and other infectious diseases, helping in the efforts to improve the health and welfare of the local people, especially the indigenous population.

From 1975-1978, Dr. Rausch served as a professor at the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine. He then joined the University of Washington, where his appointments included professor of animal medicine in the School of Medicine. Dr. Rausch’s research focused on the biology of parasites of mammals in northern Alaska and comparable areas of the former Soviet Union.

He was a past president of the American Society of Parasitologists, served on the World Health Organi­zation’s Veterinary Public Health Working Group, and was a member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Alaska VMA. Dr. Rausch was also active with the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

He received several honorary degrees, including the University of Saskatchewan Doctor of Laws, University of Alaska Doctor of Science, and Universitat Zurich Doktor der Veterinarmedizin. Dr. Rausch was the recipient of the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society’s Karl F. Meyer Gold Headed Cane Award in 1979 and received the first Arctic Science Prize in 1984. In 1994, he was honored with The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. Dr. Rausch received the AVMA Public Service Award for outstanding contributions to public health and regulatory veterinary medicine in 2009 and was added to the ASP’s list of eminent parasitologists in 2011. He attained the rank of captain with the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

Dr. Rausch is survived by his wife, Virginia, and a daughter.

Wallace W. Rogers

Dr. Rogers (KSU ’61), 80, Dodgeville, Wis., died Dec. 2, 2012. He practiced large animal medicine in Dodgeville for 30 years. Dr. Rogers is survived by six daughters; five sons; and two stepsons.

Britt R. Seely

Dr. Seely (IL ’81), 58, Brodheadsville, Pa., died Jan. 25, 2013. A mixed animal practitioner, he owned Brodheadsville Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Seely is survived by his wife, Barbara; a son; and a daughter. Memorials may be made to Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, 361 Cherry Drive, Stroudsburg, PA 18360; or Animal Welfare Society of Monroe, Godfrey Ridge Drive, Stroudsburg, PA 18360.

Richard D. Short

Dr. Short (MSU ’71), 65, Ubly, Mich., died Nov. 3, 2012. He owned Bad Axe Animal Medical Clinic in Bad Axe, Mich., where he practiced mixed animal medicine for 40 years with his wife, Dr. Rhoda Short (MSU ’70). Dr. Short was a member of the Michigan VMA. His wife; two sons; and three daughters survive him.

Peter J. South

Dr. South (ONT ’43), 92, Troy, Idaho, died Jan. 1, 2013. From 1976 until retirement in 1990, he was a member of the veterinary faculty at the University of Idaho. In addition to teaching and research, Dr. South also supervised the health of the university’s herds and flocks.

Earlier in his career, Dr. South practiced mixed animal medicine in Salmon, Idaho, and served briefly as a research associate in parasitology for the state of Oregon.

He was a past president of the Idaho VMA, served on the Idaho Board of Veterinary Medicine from 1962-1966, and chaired the board of ethics for the Eastern Idaho VMA in 1972. Dr. South was a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, and Society for Theriogenology. He was named Idaho Veterinarian of the Year in 1970, received the University of Idaho College of Agriculture Award in 1987, and won the college’s R.M. Wade Outstanding Teacher Award in 1989. Dr. South was also honored for his service to the college at his retirement in 1990. In 2003, the North Idaho VMA gave him the George Oakshot Award for outstanding service to the veterinary profession.

Dr. South’s wife, Elizabeth; three daughters; a son; and two stepsons survive him.

Harold E. Stinson

Dr. Stinson (GA ’53), 89, Winston-Salem, N.C., died Jan. 29, 2013. He established Forsyth Veterinary Hospital in Winston-Salem, where he practiced mixed animal medicine for 33 years.

Dr. Stinson served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Active in civic life, he served as a director of the Northwestern, First Union, and Wachovia banks in Clemmons, N.C., and was a member of the Clemmons Civic Club and Clemmons Masonic Lodge.

Dr. Stinson’s wife, Iva, and two daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to Clemmons First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 279, Clemmons, NC 27012; or The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, 2930 Flowers Road S., Suite 133, Atlanta, GA 30341.

Joseph E. Tugaw

Dr. Tugaw (WSU ’54), 81, Twin Falls, Idaho, died Sept. 3, 2012. After graduation, he worked briefly in Portland, Ore., before joining the Air Force. Dr. Tugaw served in Taiwan during the Korean War. He then joined his uncle, the late Dr. Edward A. Tugaw, in practice in Salt Lake City. The practice grew into Central Valley Veterinary Hospital, which included an emergency clinic in the Intermountain Region and several satellite clinics in the Salt Lake City area. Dr. Tugaw also co-owned Dry Creek Ranch near Murtaugh, Idaho, and owned Buckhorn Ranch in Idaho’s Cassia County.

He was a past president of the American Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology, Idaho Cattle Association, and Utah VMA. Dr. Tugaw served as Utah’s alternate delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates in 1971 and from 1976-1980, and was the delegate from 1980-1984. He chaired the ICA’s Federal Lands Committee, served on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s board of directors, and was a member of the Bureau of Land Management’s Upper Snake River Resource Advisory Council. Dr. Tugaw was named Idaho Cattleman of the Year by the ICA in 1995, and, in 1999, he was inducted into the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame. Dr. Tugaw was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; a son; a daughter; and three stepchildren.

Obituary notifications

Please report the death of a veterinarian promptly to the JAVMA News staff 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.

For an obituary to be published, JAVMA must be notified within six months of the date of death.