Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Marlin C. Baker

Dr. Baker (Colorado State ’66), 78, Weatherford, Texas, died Aug. 6, 2016. Following graduation, he served as an instructor of large animal medicine at the University of Minnesota. In 1969, Dr. Baker established Alpha Equine Clinic in Maple Plain, Minnesota, later co-founding Minnesota Equine Associates. He moved in 1977 to Weatherford, where he founded Alpha Equine Hospital. In 1997, Dr. Baker developed Alpha Equine Breeding Center in Granbury, Texas, where he served as resident veterinarian, adding an equine clinic at the location in 2015.

He was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Texas VMA, and Society for Theriogenology. Dr. Baker was also a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and National Cutting Horse Association. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; a son and a daughter; and four grandchildren.

Roger G. Breeze

Dr. Breeze (Glasgow ’68), 69, Washington D.C., died June 14, 2016. He was president of Centaur Science Group, a consulting company in Washington, D.C., focusing on countermeasures against emerging pathogens of humans, animals, and plants. Dr. Breeze also served as chief scientist at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, serving as an adviser on biosecurity and biological/chemical weapons, and was biosecurity deputy program director at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

He began his career teaching and conducting research on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where he also earned a doctorate in veterinary pathology in 1973. In 1977, Dr. Breeze joined the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, becoming a professor in 1981. He served as associate dean for research at the college from 1981-1984, and, from 1984-1987, he both chaired the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology and served as deputy director of the Washington Technology Center, based in the University of Washington College of Engineering.

In 1987, Dr. Breeze was appointed director of the Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service’s Plum Island Animal Disease Center. As director, he initiated research on the genomic and functional genomic basis of disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and control of livestock RNA and DNA viral infections.

From 1995-1998, Dr. Breeze was an area director with the USDA ARS. He subsequently served as associate administrator for special research programs with the ARS, establishing and directing programs for counterterrorism and biological weapons defense for the nation’s agriculture and food supply chains.

In 1998, Dr. Breeze received the Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank Award for his work with biological weapons defense. He became chief executive officer of Centaur Science Group in 2004.

Dr. Breeze was a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is survived by his wife, Diana; five sons and a daughter; and four grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Kesher Israel, 2801 N. St. NW, Washington, DC 20007; Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital, 6045 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011; Chai Lifeline (a nonprofit providing services to families with ill children), 151 W. 30th St., New York, NY 10001; or Manchester Grammar School, Old Hall Lane, Manchester M13 0XT, United Kingdom.

Niki A. Eld

Dr. Eld (Washington State ’79), 63, Boise, Idaho, died July 24, 2016. A diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (feline), she most recently practiced small animal medicine at All Valley Pet Clinic Federal Way in Boise.

Before that, Dr. Eld worked 23 years at Mountain View Animal Hospital in Boise. Early in her career, she practiced at Boise Animal Emergency Clinic.

Dr. Eld was a member of the Idaho VMA, receiving the Outstanding Service Award in 1994. Her son, daughter, and two grandchildren survive her. Memorials may be made to the Niki Eld Memorial Cat Fund, c/o All Valley Animal Care Center, 2326 E. Cinema Drive, Meridian, ID 83642.

William A. Farrow Jr.

Dr. Farrow (Colorado State ’53), 91, Montrose, California, died Aug. 4, 2016. He owned an equine practice in Littleton, Colorado, also practicing at the Centennial Race Track. Earlier in his career, Dr. Farrow worked in Montana, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. He was an Army veteran of the 10th Mountain Division in World War II and received a Bronze Star for his combat service.

Dr. Farrow’s wife, Joanie; three children; and five grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Tenth Mountain Division Foundation, 138 S. Van Gordon St., Lakewood, CO 80228; AAEP Foundation, 4033 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511; or American Veterinary Medical Foundation, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173.

James L. Frederickson

Dr. Frederickson (Washington State ’44), 95, Bakersfield, California, died Aug. 1, 2016. In 1955, he moved to Bakersfield and joined Stiern Veterinary Hospital, a small animal practice, where he served as a partner. During his more than 20-year career with the hospital, Dr. Frederickson helped establish its sister practice, Southwest Veterinary Hospital, also in Bakersfield. Earlier, he worked in Manteca, California; Richland, Washington; and Mountain Home, Idaho, and served in the Air Force.

Dr. Frederickson was a member of the city of Bakersfield Planning Commission from 1963-1979, chairing it from 1965-1966. He was also a member of the East Bakersfield Rotary Club and Masonic Lodge. Dr. Frederickson is survived by his daughter, five grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

John S. Kenney

Dr. Kenney (Cornell ’61), 79, Aiken, South Carolina, died Aug. 27, 2016. Following graduation, he taught at Cornell University for a year. Dr. Kenney subsequently joined the Army, serving as post veterinarian at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

He then began a career in equine medicine with Hagyard-Davidson-McGee Associates in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Kenney went on to practice at racetracks in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. He later served as the farm equine veterinarian at Stonegate Farm in Glen Gardner, New Jersey, and Lana Lobell Farm in northern New Jersey. At the end of his career, Dr. Kenney lived in Long Valley, New Jersey, where he bred Standardbreds and served as veterinarian for the horse farms in the area.

He is survived by his wife, Corinne; a son and two daughters; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or The Polly Hill Arboretum on Martha’s Vineyard, 809 State Road, West Tisbury, MA 02575.

Hugh A. Leslie

Dr. Leslie (Colorado State ’54), 97, Ennis, Montana, died Feb. 23, 2016. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Ennis prior to retirement in 2013, serving all of Madison County. Dr. Leslie was a member of the Montana VMA. He served in the Army during World War II. Dr. Leslie is survived by his brother.

Notifications

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