Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

John P. Arnold

Dr. Arnold (Texas A&M '59), 86, Tyler, Texas, died March 15, 2019. In 1970, he established Shelley Drive Animal Clinic, a small animal practice in Tyler. In later years, Dr. Arnold ranched and farmed in Arp, Texas. Early in his career, he worked in Dallas and at City Small Animal Clinic in Tyler.

Dr. Arnold is survived by a daughter, two sons, eight grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to London Museum, P.O. Box 477, New London, TX 75682, or First Baptist Church Building Fund, 301 W. Ferguson, Tyler, TX 75702.

Robert A. Beecher

Dr. Beecher (Iowa State '66), 76, Dubuque, Iowa, died Nov. 11, 2018. Following graduation, he moved to Cascade, Iowa, where he practiced equine medicine for several years. During that time, Dr. Beecher also co-founded EttNorMar Arabians, a 30-head Arabian horse stable. He eventually moved to St. Donatus, Iowa, and established Beecher Equine Services, retiring in 2013.

Dr. Beecher was a past chair of the endurance and competitive division of the International Arabian Horse Association, was a past president of the Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Riding Association, and was a past club president of the Arabian Horse Distance Riding Association. He served as a, International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) judge with the United States Equestrian Federation, also traveling to Dubai, France, and Spain to judge international events.

Dr. Beecher served on the veterinary team for the Dubuque County Fair and for the 4-H Horse Pony Camp for several years. In 2004, he was named the Iowa Horse Council's Horseman of the Year. In 2013, the UMECRA's Shining Light Award was named in his honor. Active in his community, Dr. Beecher was a member of the Cascade City Council for 18 years and served on the Dubuque County Board of Health for 10 years.

He is survived by two daughters, a son, two stepchildren, three grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren, a brother, and a sister. Memorials may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011.

Isaac T. Burr

Dr. Burr (Cornell '51), 101, Walpole, New Hampshire, died March 3, 2019. He practiced mixed animal medicine in New Hampshire at Bellows Falls and Walpole until retirement in 1980. Dr. Burr was a member of the Walpole School Board and served as Walpole town moderator and Walpole health officer.

A World War II veteran of the Canadian Army, he attained the rank of captain. Dr. Burr is survived by four sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Patrick K. Crouch

Dr. Crouch (Texas A&M '64), 78, Canadian, Texas, died March 14, 2019. Following graduation, he served as a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps during the Vietnam War. In 1967, Dr. Crouch moved to Canadian, where he established a mixed animal practice, serving the community for more than 50 years.

He was a past president of the Hemphill County Hospital Board and was a member of the Rotary Club. Dr. Crouch is survived by his companion, Janie Nine Robertson; four daughters and two sons; three grandchildren; and a sister. One son, Dr. Elton Crouch (St. Matthew's '18), is a veterinarian in Canadian.

Stephen F. Dirks

Dr. Dirks (Iowa State '53), 92, Waterford, Wisconsin, died March 14, 2019. He practiced at Waterford Veterinary Clinic for 40 years. Dr. Dirks was a 50-year member of the Wisconsin VMA. He served on the Waterford Graded School Board for 10 years. Dr. Dirks' wife, Ann; two daughters and two sons; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive him.

Courtney E. Edwards

Dr. Edwards (Ohio State '13), 42, North Canton, Ohio, died Nov. 11, 2018. A small animal veterinarian, she owned Compassionate Care Veterinary Clinic in North Canton. Dr. Edwards was known for her work with the rescue community in Northeastern Ohio. Her husband, Shawn J. Moulton; her mother; and a brother survive her.

Paul E. Ehrig

Dr. Ehrig (Iowa State '58), 84, Reinbeck, Iowa, died Jan. 7, 2019. Following graduation, he practiced mixed animal medicine in Reinbeck for 10 years. Dr. Ehrig then farmed until his death. His wife, Janice; two daughters and a son; five grandchildren; and a brother survive him. Dr. Ehrig's grandniece, Dr. Taylor Peterson (Iowa State '17), is a veterinarian in West Branch, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Reinbeck Firemen, c/o Jamie Eiffler, 603 Pioneer Road, Reinbeck, IA 50669; Gladbrook Reinbeck Volunteer Reading Program, c/o Jan Ehrig, 802 Pioneer Road, Reinbeck, IA 50669; or United Methodist Church, 505 Spruce, Reinbeck, IA 50669.

Charles L. Hall

Dr. Hall (Texas A&M '64), 85, College Station, Texas, died Nov. 27, 2018. Following graduation, he owned a practice in Palestine, Texas, for three years. In 1967, Dr. Hall joined the veterinary faculty of Texas A&M University, serving as a professor until retirement.

During his tenure, he received several honors, including the Faculty Achievement Award from the student chapter of the AVMA in 1971, a Faculty Achievement Award from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association in 1976, a Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award and a College-Level Teaching Award from the Association of Former Students in 1976 and 1990, the John Milliff Endowed Veterinary Faculty Award in 1993, and an Outstanding Alumnus Award from the veterinary college in 2014.

Dr. Hall served as a lieutenant in the Army from 1955-57. He is survived by his wife, Dianna; four daughters and two sons; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, 6701 Fannin St. #1400, Houston, TX 77030, or Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., New York, NY 10001.

H. Phil Hobson

Dr. Hobson (Illinois '56), 86, College Station, Texas, died Feb. 11, 2019. Following graduation and after earning his master's in veterinary medicine from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, he practiced in Carrollton, Illinois, for seven years. In 1965, Dr. Hobson joined the clinical faculty at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. During his tenure, he served as professor and chief of small animal surgery, retiring in 2010 as professor emeritus.

A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr. Hobson received the ACVS Foundation Legends Award in 2012. He was a past president of the International Veterinary Ear, Nose, and Throat Association; was a past chair of the Texas VMA Education and Historical committees; and was a member of the Brazos Valley VMA and Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery.

Dr. Hobson was a past president of the College Station Noon Lions Club and the Brazos Valley Gem and Mineral Society. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; four daughters and six sons; 26 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two brothers.

Robert S. Hudson

Dr. Hudson (Oklahoma State '55), 88, Montgomery, Alabama, died March 7, 2019. Following graduation, he served in the Air Force. Dr. Hudson subsequently practiced large animal medicine in Oklahoma at Duncan and Sulphur. In 1967, he joined the faculty of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, retiring in 1988 as professor emeritus of large animal surgery and medicine.

A diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists, Dr. Hudson was a past president of the ACT and Society for Theriogenology. The Auburn veterinary college honored him with what is now known as the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award in 1970 and the Veterinary Service Award in 1977. In 1993, Dr. Hudson received the SFT Bartlett Lecture Award.

His wife, Tomi Kaneko; two daughters; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to University Church of Christ, 5315 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109.

Warren D. Joubert

Dr. Joubert (Louisiana State '80), 63, Alexandria, Louisiana, died Feb. 5, 2019. A small animal veterinarian, he owned Turner Animal Clinic in Alexandria. A member of the Louisiana VMA and a past secretary of the Central Louisiana VMA, Dr. Joubert was named LVMA Veterinarian of the Year in 2014. His wife, Kristine; two sons and two daughters; two grandchildren; and a sister and a brother survive him.

James Q. Knight

Dr. Knight (Michigan State '73), 75, Ware, Massachusetts, died Feb. 18, 2019. Following graduation, he co-owned and worked at two small animal practices in Arizona, including the Academy West Animal Hospital in Glendale. Dr. Knight then moved to Massachusetts, where he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a few years and then practiced at several clinics, including Hampshire Veterinary Hospital in Amherst, Wickaboag Veterinary Hospital in West Brookfield, and Canterbury Tails Veterinary Clinic in Ware.

During his time in practice, he also worked for several nonprofits, among them the Arizona Humane Society, Animal Rescue League of Boston, and Team Tait's Every Animal Matters. Dr. Knight went on to direct the animal studies program for 13 years at Becker College in Leicester, Massachusetts, where he developed the course curriculum. He subsequently taught at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts.

In the summers of 2005-07, Dr. Knight volunteered in Kabul, Afghanistan, consulting with the veterinary school there to rebuild its program and participating in animal rescue efforts. A past president of the Massachusetts VMA, he chaired several of its committees and was named Veterinarian of the Year in 2006.

Dr. Knight was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, receiving two Commendation Medals, two Purple Hearts, a Combat Medic Badge, and Airborne Wings. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Anne Rylestone (Tufts '99), who practices at Canterbury Tails Veterinary Clinic; a son and a stepson; and a brother.

James M. Lyday

Dr. Lyday (Ohio State '47), 93, Boca Raton, Florida, died Feb. 15, 2019. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, he owned a small animal practice in Boca Raton prior to retirement. Dr. Lyday is survived by his family.

Ralph R. Palmer

Dr. Palmer (Minnesota '52), 97, Parkston, South Dakota, died Nov. 23, 2018. Following graduation, he owned a practice in Mitchell, South Dakota, for two years. Dr. Palmer subsequently practiced in Parkston until 1971. He then joined the South Dakota Animal Industry Board as area veterinarian. In 1976, Dr. Palmer was appointed state veterinarian. He later reassumed the position of area veterinarian until retirement in 1991.

Dr. Palmer authored the books "There is a Better Day Coming" and "Country Horse Doctor." He was a past president of the South Dakota VMA. Active in his community, Dr. Palmer was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1997 and was active with the Lions Club. In 2001, the South Dakota State University Alumni Association honored him with a Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Dr. Palmer served in the Army during World War II. His wife, Luella; four daughters and a son; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren survive him.

Roland H. Powell Sr.

Dr. Powell (Tuskegee '65), 87, Terry, Mississippi, died April 1, 2019. A mixed animal veterinarian, he co-owned Monroe Street Animal Clinic with his son, Dr. David K. Powell Sr. (Tuskegee '89) in Jackson, Mississippi, from 2010-12. Earlier, Dr. Powell owned Valley Street Animal Clinic and Powell Animal Clinic in Jackson and Terry Animal Clinic. During his career, he also served as an assistant professor of biology at Jackson State University and was an adjunct professor at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Powell was a member of the Mississippi VMA and Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Alumni Association. He was a veteran of the Army. Dr. Powell's wife, Sondra; a daughter and four sons; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Rhonda C. Prince-Smith

Dr. Prince (Ohio State '00), 48, Kalamazoo, died March 21, 2019. She owned Friendship Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in Kalamazoo. Earlier in her career, Dr. Prince-Smith worked in Great Falls, Montana. Her husband, Christopher; a son and a daughter; her parents; and a brother survive her. Memorials, toward the Uveal Melanoma Program, may be sent to the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, 914 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107.

David J. Stricker Sr.

Dr. Stricker (Auburn '77), 67, Amelia, Ohio, died Dec. 25, 2018. In 1980, he established Clermont Animal Hospital, a small and exotic animal practice in Batavia, Ohio, retiring in 2016. Earlier in his career, Dr. Stricker practiced in Kentucky at Highland Heights Veterinary Hospital and Grady Animal Hospital in Dayton.

He is survived by five daughters, a son, and 11 grandchildren. One daughter, Dr. Julia Esposito (Ohio State '02), practices at Clermont Animal Hospital. Memorials, toward a dog park named in his honor, may be sent to the Batavia Community Center and Park, c/o Rex Parsons, Batavia Township Trustee, 1535 Clough Pike, Batavia, OH 45103; Hospice of Cincinnati, 7691 Five Mile Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230; or UC Health Barrett Cancer Center, 234 Goodman St., Cincinnati OH 45129.

Warren G. Walker

Dr. Walker (Colorado State '45), 96, La Canada Flintridge, California, died April 2, 2019. In 1965, he established La Canada Pet Clinic, where he practiced small animal medicine until 1988. Dr. Walker also helped establish the Eagle Rock Emergency Pet Clinic in Los Angeles. Earlier, he owned Verdugo Pet Hospital in Sunland, California, and Crescenta Canada Pet Hospital in La Crescenta, California. Following graduation, Dr. Walker served as a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps and worked with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

A past president of the American Animal Hospital Association and Sierra VMA, he served on the board of directors of the Morris Animal Foundation. Dr. Walker was a member of the Sunland Tujunga Rotary Club, Saddle and Sirloin Club, and Roundup Riders of the Rockies. He is survived by his wife, Jean; a son and a daughter; and four grandchildren. Dr. Walker's son, Dr. Woody Walker (Colorado State '81), practices at La Canada Pet Clinic. Memorials may be made to the Morris Animal Foundation, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80246.

Robert R. White

Dr. White (Georgia '58), 87, Kingsville, Maryland, died March 8, 2019. He owned Eastern Animal Hospital in Baltimore prior to retirement in 1990. Dr. White was a past director of the Southern Veterinary Medical Federation, served three years as secretary of the Greater Baltimore VMA in the 1960s, and was a member of the Maryland VMA, serving on its Peer Review Committee for several years. He was a past recipient of the MVMA Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. White's wife, Jane; four children; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

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; newsavma [dot] org (email); or fax at 847-925-9329. For an obituary to be published, JAVMA must be notified within six months of the date of death.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Dr. Warren D. Joubert’s state of residence as Virginia. Dr. Joubert resided in Louisiana.