Billy Hooper, veterinary academic leader, dies at 86
Dr. Billy E. Hooper, a veterinarian who was nationally recognized for his leadership in academic veterinary medicine, died June 6. He was 86.
Dr. Hooper had a particular passion for expanding diversity in veterinary colleges. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in the Korean War, Dr. Hooper earned his DVM degree at the University of Missouri in 1961 before pursuing graduate studies at Purdue University. He earned his master's and doctorate in veterinary pathology at Purdue in 1963 and 1965, respectively, and became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. He went on to join Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and served as associate dean for academic affairs from 1973-86. His career also included faculty appointments at the University of Missouri, University of Georgia, Oklahoma State University, and Western University of Health Sciences.
In 1986, Dr. Hooper assumed a national leadership role, serving as the first executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges until 1992. He also served on the AVMA's Council on Education, Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, and National Board Examination Committee.
A champion for the cause of expanding diversity in the veterinary profession, Dr. Hooper was instrumental in supporting the Iverson Bell Symposium, which was first held at Purdue University in 1972. It is the oldest and longest-running symposium in veterinary medicine devoted to exploring issues of diversity.
In fact, Dr. Hooper received the Iverson Bell Award for his contributions to advancing diversity in veterinary medicine. And in 2016, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the AAVMC honored Dr. Hooper by renaming the annual AAVMC Recognition Lecture as the Billy E. Hooper Lecture Award for Distinguished Service to Veterinary Medical Education, in recognition of the founding role Dr. Hooper played as the AAVMC's first executive director and as a former editor of the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education.
On retirement, Dr. Hooper and his wife, Janice, returned to the Lafayette, Indiana, area, where Dr. Hooper volunteered often, serving as president of the Lafayette Citizens Band and chairing the Youth Services Committee of the Lafayette Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Willie Reed, dean of Purdue's veterinary college, described Dr. Hooper as an accomplished and beloved educator and leader in the veterinary medical profession.
"It is hard to put into words the sense of loss associated with the passing of this gentle, caring, capable, and accomplished veterinarian, educator, and humanitarian. I am forever grateful for his kindness, encouragement, and mentorship," Dean Reed said in a June 8 Purdue press release. "Anyone who met Dr. Hooper certainly remembers his amiable disposition, disarming smile, and great intellect. Because of his talent, expertise and leadership skills, he was sought after as an educator and administrator and traveled far and wide during his professional career. He will be dearly missed not only by the Purdue Veterinary Medicine family, but by the entire veterinary medical profession."
Dr. Hooper is survived by his wife, Janice; one son; one daughter; and three grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Purdue Foundation, 403 W. Wood St., West Lafayette, IN 47906, toward scholarships for veterinary medical and veterinary technology/nursing students.
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Veterinary academia celebrates milestone (May 15, 2016)
Efforts being sustained to promote diversity (July 15, 2010)