Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Jock R. Collins

Dr. Collins (Texas A&M ’57), 84, Houston, died March 31, 2017. Following graduation, he worked as a federal regulatory veterinarian in animal inspection and quarantine and as a meat inspector before joining his brother, Dr. James R. Collins (Texas A&M ’56), in practice at Briar Tanglewood Animal Clinic in Houston. Dr. Jock R. Collins later established Westwood Animal Clinic in Houston, where he practiced until retirement.

He was a past president of the Harris County VMA and a member of the Texas VMA. In 1988, Dr. Collins was named TVMA Outstanding Companion Animal Practitioner of the Year, and, in 2006, he received a Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Outstanding Alumnus Award. He was a Mark Francis Fellow at the veterinary college, where he established an endowed scholarship.

Dr. Collins is survived by his wife, Vicki; two daughters; and seven grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Texas A&M Foundation (with the memo line of the check notated to the Jock R. Collins, DVM ’57 Endowed Scholarship), College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Development, 4461 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843.

John G. Debbie

Dr. Debbie (Guelph ’65), 80, Saranac Lake, New York, died Dec. 4, 2016. He retired in 1996 as New York state public health veterinarian. Following graduation, Dr. Debbie joined the New York State Department of Health as an associate research scientist. From 1968-70, he worked on a United Nations–funded project in Nairobi, Kenya, to study the effects of new game parks on the biology of African wildlife.

On his return to the United States, Dr. Debbie accepted the position of head of the state rabies section of the NYSDH in Guilderland. His work, studying the biology of the rabies virus and its impact on wildlife and human populations, included the development of an oral rabies vaccine program for wildlife. In 1979, Dr. Debbie became the public health director for Franklin County. He traveled to Geneva in 1986 to work two years with the World Health Organization eradicating rabies in underdeveloped countries before being named NYS public health veterinarian.

Dr. Debbie was a past president of the Wildlife Disease Association and served as an adjunct professor at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake and Elks Club, and an honorary life member of the Saranac Lake Elks Lodge.

Dr. Debbie’s two daughters, a son, and six grandchildren survive him. Memorials, designated to the local scholarship fund, may be made to the Saranac Lake Elks Lodge, P.O. Box 325, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.

John D. Fuhr

Dr. Fuhr (Colorado State ’56), 88, Spearfish, South Dakota, died Feb. 1, 2017. A small animal veterinarian, he moved to Aurora, Colorado, following graduation, and established Broadview Animal Clinic and, later, Aurora Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Fuhr also owned cattle ranches in Colorado at Kiowa and Greeley.

He was a past president of the Denver Area VMS, a past chair of the Colorado VMA State Legislative Committee, and an honorary lifetime member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. Dr. Fuhr served on the Colorado state legislature from 1967-74 and was speaker of its house from 1971-74. He was a past president of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and Aurora Rotary Club, was a past Rotary Club district governor, and served on the Arapahoe County Fair Board. Dr. Fuhr helped establish the Aurora YMCA, serving on the board of directors for several years. He was a veteran of the Army Veterinary Corps.

Dr. Fuhr is survived by his companion, Coco Villard; three sons; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Countryside Church, 625 Woodland Drive, Spearfish, SD 57783.

John R. Kruckeberg

Dr. Kruckeberg (Ohio State ’76), 66, Williamsport, Tennessee, died Oct. 31, 2016. A mixed animal veterinarian, he co-owned Animal Medical Clinic in Columbia, Tennessee, with his wife, Dr. Linda Kruckeberg (Ohio State ’78), for 30 years. He also farmed in Williamsport. In later years, Dr. Kruckeberg worked part time at several local veterinary clinics and at the Maury County Animal Shelter. Early in his career, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps for three years. Dr. Kruckeberg was active with the Christian Veterinary Mission.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, and a grandchild. Memorials may be made to Christian Veterinary Mission, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133; Zion Presbyterian Church Mission Committee, 2322 Zion Road, Columbia, TN 38401; or Maury County Animal Shelter, 1233 Mapleash Ave., Columbia, TN 38401.

Roger W. Meads

Dr. Meads (Minnesota ’63), 83, Hortonville, Wisconsin, died April 7, 2017. A large animal practitioner, he focused on dairy medicine at Heritage Animal Hospital in Hortonville for more than 40 years. Dr. Meads also served as a dairy herd consultant and was known for his leadership and efforts to promote preventive herd health management. He invented a milking system to help reduce infection and increase productivity, and a radio frequency identification system to help farmers track cattle, combined with a device that continually monitors each cow’s temperature for illness and fertility cycles. Dr. Meads conducted dairy seminars for farmers and other veterinarians, served as an expert witness during lawsuits, and was involved in field tests in dairy product development.

He was a veteran of the Army, serving as a 1st lieutenant. Dr. Meads is survived by his wife, Stannye; a son and two daughters; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to Fox West YMCA, W6931 School Rd., Greenville, WI 54942.

Carl D. Nelson

Dr. Nelson (Cornell ’59), 81, Laconia, New Hampshire, died March 15, 2017. He was the co-founder of Cheshire Animal Hospital in Keene, New Hampshire. Dr. Nelson was a past president of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards and a member of the New Hampshire VMA. He served as a captain in the Air Force.

Dr. Nelson’s wife, Judith; a daughter and a son; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild survive him. Memorials may be made to the New Hampshire Humane Society, P.O. Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758540, Topeka, KS 66674; or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston Burns Unit, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.

Harold W. Ray

Dr. Ray (Texas A&M ’71), 70, Orange, Texas, died Feb. 16, 2017. He began his career practicing mixed animal medicine in Weslaco, Texas. Dr. Ray subsequently established North Orange Veterinary Clinic, where he practiced primarily small animal medicine until retirement.

He is survived by his companion, Janice Ustinovich; a son; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX 77843.

Robert W. Sagehorn

Dr. Sagehorn (California-Davis ’88), 78, Davis, California, died March 11, 2017. Following graduation, he practiced small animal medicine, before joining Hill’s Pet Products as a nutritional consultant for the western states. Dr. Sagehorn retired in 2004.

He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and attained the rank of lieutenant commander. Dr. Sagehorn received the Combat Action Ribbon, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star with V.

His wife, Elizabeth; two daughters; and three grandchildren survive him. Memorials toward the Vet Med Class of ’88 Scholarship Fund Endowment may be made to UC Regents, The Waltons Class of 1988 Scholarship V7D0426, UC-Davis Advancement Services, 1460 Drew Ave. Suite 100, Davis, CA 95618.