In Memory – December 19, 2024

Patrick Ayh Ahana

Dr. Ahana (Kansas State ’78), 78, Kapaa, Hawaii, died April 27, 2024. A small animal veterinarian, he owned Kapaa Animal Clinic for more than 40 years. A member of the Hawaii VMA (HVMA), Dr. Ahana previously represented Kauai on the HVMA executive board. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; two sons; four grandchildren; and two sisters and a brother. One son, Dr. Bryce Ahana (Kansas State ’13), is also a veterinarian. Memorials may be made to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4464, Houston, TX 77210.

John Robert Fuller

Dr. Fuller (Auburn ’74), 75, Madison, Mississippi, died May 22, 2024. He practiced mixed animal medicine at Fuller Animal Hospital in Laurel, Mississippi, for more than 30 years. Dr. Fuller subsequently worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, retiring in 2020. His wife, Bettye; three daughters and two stepchildren; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild survive him. Memorials may be made to Pinevale Children’s Home, 1872 CR 700, Corinth, MS 38834.

K. Ann Jeglum

Dr. Jeglum (Pennsylvania ’77), 73, West Chester, Pennsylvania, died September 22, 2024. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in oncology, she was the founder of Veterinary Oncology Services and Research Center in West Chester. Known for her expertise in veterinary oncology and comparative and translational immuno-oncology, Dr. Jeglum’s work included the development and clinical testing of canine lymphoma monoclonal antibody 231, a novel cytotoxic cell that showed promise in the treatment of canine histiocytic sarcoma and osteosarcoma.

Following graduation and after completing fellowships at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, she joined the veterinary faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. While at the veterinary school, Dr. Jeglum served as an associate professor of medical oncology and headed the veterinary oncology service. During that time, she also held appointments at the National Cancer Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and The Wistar Institute.

Dr. Jeglum established charitable foundations to support research in veterinary oncology and to assist patients in need of financial assistance. She participated in studies funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation concerning the genetic epidemiology of cancer in Golden Retrievers and helped with several clinical trial studies for cancer patients. In 2016, the foundation named Dr. Jeglum Veterinarian of the Year.

She is survived by her life partner, Karen Kohlmeyer, and a brother.

Richard M. Kester

Dr. Kester (Missouri ’71), 81, Phoenix, died September 12, 2024. He practiced equine medicine in south Florida. During that time, Dr. Kester also worked with the former American Horse Shows Association and Fasig-Tipton, a Thoroughbred auction company, in sales and drug testing horses in training. Early in his career, he practiced mixed animal medicine in Batavia, New York. Dr. Kester is survived by his wife, Barbara; a daughter and a son; a grandchild; and two sisters.

Donald W. Lonker

Dr. Lonker (Kansas State ’63), 88, Medicine Lodge, Kansas, died September 29, 2024. Following graduation, he worked in Dodge City, Kansas. Dr. Lonker subsequently moved to Medicine Lodge, where he raised cattle, including Hereford and Red Angus cattle. He was a member of the American Hereford Association and Kansas Livestock Association. Dr. Lonker is survived by his wife, Barbara; two sons and two daughters; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Medicine Lodge Methodist Church, 108 E. 2nd Ave., Medicine Lodge, KS 67104, or Watchman Evangelism Ministries, P.O. Box 71, Haven, KS 67543.

Ernest Sanford Martin

Dr. Martin (Oklahoma State ’66), 82, Melissa, Texas, died October 22, 2024. He was the founder of Meadow Brook Animal Hospital in McKinney, Texas. Dr. Martin previously established Sherry Lane Animal Hospital and Knox Park Animal Hospital in Dallas. He also raised cattle and horses.

Dr. Martin was a past president of the Collin County VMA and served on several committees of the Texas VMA. In retirement, he joined the Melissa Volunteer Fire Department. Dr. Martin is survived by his wife, Janice; four sons; six grandchildren; and a sister. 

Richard F. Wade

Dr. Wade, 72, Canton, Ohio, died August 23, 2024. A 1986 veterinary graduate of the University of Bologna in Italy, he owned Canton Veterinary Hospital until retirement in 2023. In retirement, Dr. Wade continued to work at the practice, now known as Humble Creatures Veterinary Clinic. He was active with the Stark County Humane Society. Dr. Wade’s wife, Deborah; two daughters; and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to the Stark County Humane Society, 5100 Peach St., Louisville, OH 44641, or toward the Dr. Richard F. Wade Endowment Fund, c/o Humble Creatures Veterinary Clinic, 3123 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44709.

Jan Elizabeth Whitman

Dr. Whitman (Minnesota ’77), 70, St. Paul, Minnesota, died September 14, 2024. She owned Animal Medical Clinic in St. Paul. Earlier in her career, Dr. Whitman helped establish the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota in St. Paul. She was a life member of the Minnesota VMA. Dr. Whitman trained and showed Irish Setters and was a member of the Irish Setter Club of Minnesota. She is survived by her daughter, two grandchildren, two sisters, and a brother. Memorials, toward the Dr. Jan Whitman Memorial Fund, may be made to Animal Medical Clinic, 234 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105.

A version of this story appears in the February 2025 print issue of JAVMA

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