Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Deidra L. Blackmon

Dr. Blackmon (TEX ’10), 33, Dish, Texas, died March 3, 2013. She practiced small and exotic animal medicine at Animal Emergency Hospital of North Texas in Grapevine. Earlier in her career, Dr. Blackmon worked at Parkside Veterinary Clinic in Keller, Texas, for a year. She was a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society and Texas VMA. Memorials toward the Dr. Deidra Blackmon Memorial Fund may be made to Animal Emergency Hospital of North Texas, 2700 W. State Highway 114, Grapevine, TX 76051.

Eugene D. Dillon

Dr. Dillon (TEX ’45), 89, Horseshoe Bay, Texas, died March 4, 2013. He owned a practice in Beaumont, Texas, for several years. Early in his career, Dr. Dillon served in the Army during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; a daughter; and a son.

Donald A. Dreessen

Dr. Dreessen (ISU ’57), 85, Mount Prospect, Ill., died March 23, 2013. A small animal practitioner, he owned Mount Plaines Animal Hospital in Mount Prospect for 40 years prior to retirement in 1999. Earlier in his career, Dr. Dreessen worked in Wisconsin and the suburbs of Chicago. He was a life member of the Illinois State and Chicago VMAs. Active in civic life, Dr. Dreessen was a past president and past district governor of the Mount Prospect Lions Club. He received several Lions Club honors, including the District Governor Award, an International Leadership Certificate, and an International President Certificate of Appreciation. Dr. Dreessen served in the Air Force during World War II and the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Marie; a stepson; and a stepdaughter. Memorials may be made to Lions of Illinois Foundation, 2814 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178.

John K. Flanagan

Dr. Flanagan (OKL ’78), 64, Texhoma, Okla., died April 3, 2013. Beginning in 1987, he served in Haiti with Christian Veterinary Mission, assuming a variety of roles in ministry and development work that included programs dealing with livestock and disease control. During that time, Dr. Flanagan also served as staff veterinarian at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti for nine years.

Following graduation, he joined the Army Veterinary Corps as a captain and served two years as group veterinarian in Fort Bragg, N.C. Dr. Flanagan then practiced mixed animal medicine at Marlow Veterinary Clinic in Marlow, Okla., for seven years. He was a member of the Oklahoma VMA, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, Society for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, and American Association of Swine Veterinarians. In 2011, Dr. Flanagan was named a Distinguished Alumnus by the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. His wife, Jan, and two sons survive him. Memorials toward a fund in his name may be made to Christian Veterinary Mission, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133.

Loretta K. Gage

Dr. Gage (COL ’89), 61, Los Lunas, N.M., died Jan. 17, 2013. A small animal practitioner, she most recently worked at Vet-Co of Valencia in Los Lunas. Dr. Gage authored “If Wishes Were Horses: The Education of a Veterinarian.”

Memorials may be made to Animal Humane New Mexico, 615 Virginia St. S.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108.

Richard T. Goldston

Dr. Goldston (TEX ’67), 68, Pinellas Park, Fla., died Feb. 24, 2013. In 2001, he established Parkview Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he worked until retirement in 2012, focusing on geriatric medicine. He authored the book “Geriatrics and Gerontology of the Dog and Cat.” Prior to that, Dr. Goldston practiced at Skyway Animal Hospital in St. Petersburg. Early in his career, he was a research associate and an instructor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Georgia. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Dr. Goldston was also a past president of the Florida VMA and Pinellas County VMS.

Dr. Goldston received the FVMA Gold Star Award in 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1981; was named Florida Veterinarian of the Year in 1992; received the FVMA Distinguished Service Award in 1999; and was honored with the FVMA Champion of Veterinary Medicine Award in 2011. In April 2013, the FVMA posthumously awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Goldston is survived by his wife, Sharon, and a daughter. Memorials may be made to Suncoast Hospice, 6770 102nd Ave., Pinellas Park, FL 33782; Second Chance for Strays Inc., P.O. Box 5032, Clearwater, FL 33758; or Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, P.O. Box 10688, Tallahassee, FL 32302.

John D. Hall Jr.

Dr. Hall (GA ’72), 65, Crownsville, Md., died Nov. 30, 2012. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Anne Arundel County, Maryland for 40 years.

Dr. Hall was a member of the Maryland VMA. His wife, Megan; a son; and three daughters survive him. Memorials may be made to the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis, MD 21401; or Annapolis City Recreation and Parks Department, 273 Hilltop Lane, Annapolis, MD 21403.

Harold E. Hedlund

Dr. Hedlund (ISU ’45), 90, Wahoo, Neb., died April 4, 2013. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Wahoo from 1945 until retirement in 1983. Dr. Hedlund then worked as the assistant track veterinarian at Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha, serving in this position until 1990.

He was a past president of the Nebraska VMA and served as a delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates from 1962-1965. Dr. Hedlund was a member of the Masons, Lions Club, and American Legion. He is survived by his wife, Betty; one son; and three daughters. One daughter, Dr. Cheryl S. Hedlund (ISU ’77), is a member of the veterinary faculty at Iowa State University.

John G. Herring Jr.

Dr. Herring (GA ’50), 97, Thomasville, N.C., died March 4, 2013. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Thomasville prior to retirement in 1980. Dr. Herring was a life member of the North Carolina and Georgia VMAs and a member of the North Carolina Academy of Small Animal Medicine. He was a past president of the Thomasville Lions Club and a past director of the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Herring served in the Army during World War II. His daughter and son survive him.

Lyle R. Kowalski

Dr. Kowalski (MSU ’78), 63, Davison, Mich., died Oct. 26, 2012. He practiced small animal medicine at Davison Veterinary Hospital for 30 years. Dr. Kowalski was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.

Dr. Kowalski is survived by his wife, Susan. Memorials may be made to Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, 1259 El Camino Real, Suite 150, Menlow Park, CA 94025.

Wesley D. Knutson

Dr. Knutson (IL ’61), 87, Atkinson, Ill., died Dec. 14, 2012. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Minooka, Ill., from 1986 until retirement in 2005. Following graduation and until 1972, Dr. Knutson was in large animal practice in Alpha, Ill. He then worked for Salsbury Laboratories in Charles City, Iowa, during which time he established its swine health division. Dr. Knutson continued his career in pharmaceuticals and swine operations for various other companies before returning to private practice in 1986. Known for his expertise in swine medicine, he served as a consultant for swine operations, research, and heart valve transplantation and replacement.

Dr. Knutson served in the Navy during World War II and was a member of the American Legion. His wife, Carol; a daughter; and three sons survive him.

James L. Meiczinger

Dr. Meiczinger (COR ’67), 69, Hermon, Maine, died March 2, 2013. A small animal practitioner, he co-founded Penobscot Veterinary Hospital in Bangor, Maine, in 1971. Beginning in 2006, Dr. Meiczinger worked there part-time. Earlier in his career, he practiced at Pine Tree Veterinary Hospital in Augusta, Maine. Dr. Meiczinger was a member of the Maine VMA. His wife, Linda; three sons; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Bangor Humane Society, 693 B Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401; or Animal Orphanage of Old Town, P.O. Box 565, Orono, ME 04473.

Radean S. Miskimins

Dr. Miskimins (ISU ’52), 86, Mitchell, S.D., died Feb. 27, 2013. He owned a mixed animal practice in Mitchell from the mid-1960s to 1984. Dr. Miskimins also raised cattle, owned a feed store, and operated a livestock auction barn in Brookings, S.D. Earlier in his career, he practiced in Kimball, S.D., and served as an inspector for the Kimball Livestock Auction. He was a veteran of the Army, serving as a 2nd lieutenant in the South Pacific. Dr. Miskimins is survived by his wife, Betty, and four sons. One son, Dr. Dale W. Miskimins (ISU ’78), serves on the veterinary faculty of South Dakota State University.

Bob L. Myers

Dr. Myers (KSU ’63), 79, San Diego, died Jan. 7, 2013. He practiced small animal medicine in Tulsa, Okla., prior to retirement. Dr. Myers was a veteran of the Marine Corps. His four daughters and two sons survive him.

George F. Nixon

Dr. Nixon (OSU ’54), 84, Venice, Fla., died April 2, 2013. He practiced small animal medicine at Alliance Animal Hospital in Alliance, Ohio, from 1954 until retirement in 1991. Dr. Nixon was a member of the American Animal Hospital Association. Active in civic life, he served on the Alliance Board of Health for 13 years and was a member of the Alliance Rotary Club. He is survived by his wife, June, and three daughters. Memorials may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.

Milton Regenbogen

Dr. Regenbogen (TEX ’42), 94, New York, died Dec. 1, 2012. A small animal veterinarian, he practiced in the Upper West Side of New York City for several years. Dr. Regenbogen is survived by two daughters.

Ben F. Schlegel

Dr. Schlegel (ISU ’50), 92, Fayetteville, Ark., died Feb. 16, 2013. Known for his expertise in poultry health, he worked for Eli Lilly and Company in Fayetteville prior to retirement in 1991. Before joining Eli Lilly in 1960, Dr. Schlegel practiced large animal medicine in Lake Park, Iowa, for 10 years. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. Dr. Schlegel’s two sons and three daughters survive him.

Charles J. Stark

Dr. Stark (PUR ’73), 68, Zionsville, Ind., died March 4, 2013. From 1975 until retirement in 2011, he was a partner at Lafayette Road Veterinary Hospital and West 56th Street Veterinary Hospital, small animal practices in Indianapolis. Dr. Stark also helped establish the Airport Animal Emergency Clinic in Indianapolis and served on its board of directors. Early in his career, he practiced mixed animal medicine in West Brookfield, Mass. Dr. Stark was a past president and a past district representative of the Central Indiana VMA, helping to organize continuing education for veterinarians in the state and playing an important role in drafting the CE guidelines. He was a member of the Indiana VMA and received its President’s Award in 1998. Dr. Stark’s wife, Larrianne, and two sons survive him. Memorials toward the Dr. Charles Stark Memorial Scholarship may be made to Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Development Office, Attn: Becky Hershey, Lynn Hall, Room 1177-A, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907.

Jerald F. Stewart

Dr. Stewart (TEX ’76), 64, China Spring, Texas, died Feb. 8, 2013. A small animal practitioner, he owned Northside Animal Hospital in Waco, Texas, for 36 years. Dr. Stewart is survived by his wife, Pam; two sons; and a daughter. Memorials may be made to Fuzzy Friends Rescue, 6321 Airport Road, Waco, TX 76708.

William G. Young

Dr. Young (GA ’59), 82, Titusville, Fla., died April 23, 2013. A small animal practitioner, he retired from Young’s Animal Hospital in Titusville in 1997. Prior to establishing his practice in 1961, Dr. Young worked in Youngstown, Ohio. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Dr. Young was a past member of the Titusville City Council. His wife, Jane; a son; and two stepdaughters survive him. Memorials may be made to National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741.