Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Alf E. Boman

Dr. Boman (California-Davis ’57), 87, Santa Cruz, California, died Aug. 13, 2019. He co-founded a practice in Rialto, California, and co-established Hacienda Animal Clinic in La Puente, California, working at Hacienda Animal Clinic until retirement in 1991. Dr. Boman also helped establish the Santa Anita Emergency Hospital, serving as treasurer for several years.

He is survived by his wife, Roberta; two sons and two daughters; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Anne K. Del Borgo

Dr. Del Borgo (Cornell ’99), 46, Orrs Island, Maine, died Aug. 19, 2019. A small animal veterinarian, she owned Sunray Animal Clinic in Brunswick, Maine. Earlier, Dr. Del Borgo worked at Boothbay Animal Hospital in Boothbay, Maine, and Coastal Veterinary Care in Wiscasset, Maine.

She was a past president of the Maine VMA and was a past chair of the Maine Animal Control Association’s Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Dr. Del Borgo received the Maine VMA Service Award in 2008. Her husband, Robert; her mother; and a sister survive her. Memorials may be made to Dogwill, an organization providing pet food to pet owners in need, and sent to P.O. Box 772, Bath, ME 04530.

Carol A. Ecker

Dr. Ecker (Purdue ’64), 78, Granger, Indiana, died Aug. 14, 2019. A mixed animal veterinarian, she owned Clayview Animal Clinic in South Bend, Indiana, for more than 40 years. Dr. Ecker also owned Ecker Enterprises and Marcell’s Pet Salon in South Bend and Clayview Farms in Granger. She trained and showed American Quarter Horses and bred and showed Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

Dr. Ecker was a past president of the Indiana VMA and the Humane Society of St. Joseph County. Known for her efforts toward animal welfare, she initiated and served as chair of the former IVMA Humane Society Committee. The committee formulated legislation and worked with the state’s Department of Natural Resources on a new law for exotic animals. Dr. Ecker wrote several ordinances and state laws, including one banning dog and cock fighting in Indiana, and was instrumental in the state’s passage of a humane euthanasia law.

She served on the IVMA Annual Meeting, Audit and Budget, and Legislative committees and the Purdue University Board of Trustees. Dr. Ecker was a founding member of the Indiana Animal Health Foundation and was a member of the South Bend Animal Care and Control Commission, Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club, American Quarter Horse Association, Indiana Quarter Horse Association, and Palomino Horse Breeders Association.

In 1989, Dr. Ecker was named Indiana Veterinarian of the Year. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals honored her as Veterinarian of the Year in 1994. Dr. Ecker received the AVMA Animal Welfare Award in 1995, and Purdue University awarded her an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1998.

Her son, daughter, and three grandchildren survive her. Memorials may be made to the Carol and Ken Ecker Scholarship, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1177 A625 Harrison, West Lafayette, IN 47907.

Derek E. Lindsey

Dr. Lindsey (Georgia ’97), 47, Seneca, South Carolina, died Aug. 8, 2019. He owned Clemson Animal Hospital in Clemson, South Carolina, where he practiced companion animal medicine for the past 16 years. Earlier, Dr. Lindsey worked at Spartanburg Animal Clinic in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Amanda;  two daughters; his parents; and two brothers. Memorials, toward scholarships for his daughters, may be sent to Clemson Animal Hospital, 108 Liberty Drive, Clemson, SC 29631.

Charles R. Maret

Dr. Maret (Ohio State ’61), 86, Fort Myers, Florida, died April 9, 2019. A companion animal veterinarian, he owned Crestview Animal Hospital in Indianapolis prior to retirement. Dr. Maret also took care of the Indianapolis Police Department’s canine unit for several years. Early in his career, he worked at East Side Animal Hospital in Indianapolis.

Dr. Maret was a veteran of the Army. His wife, Judy, survives him. Memorials may be made to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1900 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210.

Jackie H. Parker

Dr. Parker (Oklahoma State ’65), 78, Iowa Park, Texas, died Aug. 27, 2019. She served as a meat inspector with the Department of Agriculture for almost 45 years prior to retirement. Dr. Parker was active with the First African Violet Society, Plants Unlimited, Benson Iris Society, Red River Orchid Society, American Iris Society, and American Orchid Society.

Her husband, William; a daughter and a son; four grandchildren; and two sisters survive her. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1417 11th St., Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

Jorgen M. Westergaard

Dr. Westergaard, 82, Horsholm, Denmark, died Aug. 11, 2019. A 1964 veterinary graduate of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, he was chief executive officer of ADC-Consult, consulting in animal disease control, veterinary legislation, epidemiology, and contingency planning.

Following graduation, Dr. Westergaard worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Uganda and Kenya. He obtained a diploma in 1970 in tropical veterinary medicine from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and then worked for the U.N. in Rome. After earning a doctorate in 1977 from Auburn University, Dr. Westergaard served as an inspector with the Danish Veterinary Administration.

From 1987-2001, he worked for the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, involved with animal health legislation, disease surveillance, disease outbreak management, contingency planning, and international trade in livestock and products of animal origin. During that time, Dr. Westergaard also focused on swine and poultry diseases, including African swine fever, Newcastle disease, and avian influenza. In 1995, he was awarded a civil order of merit by Spain for his efforts in combating African swine fever.

Dr. Westergaard co-authored the book “The EU Veterinarian.” He was a veteran of the Royal Danish Army, serving as a first lieutenant in the Jutland Dragoon Regiment. Dr. Westergaard remained in the Reserves until he was 62.

His wife, Ebba; a son and a daughter; and two grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Arach J. Wilson II

Dr. Wilson (Tuskegee ’79), 66, Ames, Iowa, died Aug. 27, 2019. Following graduation, he served as a veterinary service officer in the Army. Dr. Wilson subsequently worked in Massachusetts until 1982, when he moved to California to begin his career with the Department of Agriculture.

During his tenure with the USDA, he earned his master’s in veterinary pathology from Iowa State University and served in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Dr. Wilson retired from the USDA in 2016. He attained the rank of major with the Army Reserve.

Dr. Wilson was a member of the American Legion. His wife, Jodie; two daughters and a son; three grandchildren; and a sister survive him. 

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.