In Memory - March 1, 2022

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Michael Adams

Dr. Adams, 72, Clearwater, Florida, died July 26, 2021. He was a 1973 graduate of Cairo University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Egypt. During his career, Dr. Adams owned several mixed animal hospitals in Florida’s Pinellas County, including practices in Clearwater and St. Pete Beach. At the time of his death, he owned Hope and Care Animal Hospital in Clearwater. Dr. Adams is survived by his wife, Hope; two children; and two grandchildren. Memorials may be made to St. Mary and St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church, 2930 County Road 193, Clearwater, FL 33759.

Eldon L. Bower

Dr. Bower (Colorado State ’65), 80, Sacramento, California, died Dec. 2, 2021. He was a partner at South Sacramento Veterinary Hospital for more than 30 years. Dr. Bower’s wife, Martha; two sons and two daughters; six grandchildren; and a brother survive him. Memorials may be made to the Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 200 Tahoe Ave., Roseville, CA 95678, or the California Waterfowl Association, 1346 Blue Oaks Blvd., Roseville, CA 95678.

Roger D. Estep

Dr. Estep (Tuskegee ’62), 91, Rockville, Maryland, died Dec. 16, 2021. He spent most of his career at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he began as head of the laboratory animal program and retired as vice president of university relations and development. Dr. Estep also worked for a period of time at the National Institutes of Health. He is survived by a son.

Mark D. Ferris

Dr. Ferris (Florida ’87), 60, Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, died Nov. 25, 2021. He began his career at Chester Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Chester, West Virginia, serving as a partner from 1991-2001. In 1998, Dr. Ferris bought Hilltop Animal Hospital in Paris, Pennsylvania, where he practiced small animal medicine for 18 years. He later established Peaceful Goodbyes, a home-based euthanasia service for pets. Dr. Ferris’ wife, Patty; a son; and two brothers survive him. Memorials may be made to Frankfort Presbyterian Church, 3326 State Route 18, Hookstown, PA 15050, or Hancock County Animal Shelter, 715 Gas Valley Road, New Cumberland, WV 26047.

Donald M. Herr

Dr. Herr (Cornell ’63), 83, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, died Dec. 12, 2021. He co-founded Manheim Pike Veterinary Hospital in Lancaster with his wife, Dr. Patricia L. Thomson Herr (Cornell ’60). Dr. Herr was known for his expertise in veterinary dentistry. He was a past vice president of the Pennsylvania VMA, receiving the PVMA Award of Merit in 1982. His wife, a son, two daughters, two grandchildren, and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to the Lancaster County Historical Society, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603.

Donald J. Kammerzell

Dr. Kammerzell (Colorado State ’89), 60, Littleton, Colorado, died Nov. 30, 2021. He was a mixed animal practitioner. Dr. Kammerzell was also active with the family hay farm in Longmont, Colorado, for several years. He is survived by his wife, Debbie; a son; his father; and a brother.

Merle C. Loveless

Dr. Loveless (Cornell ’60), 87, Delhi, New York, died Dec. 15, 2021. He retired in the mid-1990s after 36 years in academia, most recently serving as a professor at the State University of New York in Delhi. During his tenure at SUNY-Delhi, Dr. Loveless taught veterinary technology, equine and dairy science, and anatomy and physiology courses. Earlier, he taught at the University of Georgia and the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Loveless’ wife, Marilyn; four sons; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild survive him.

James M. Mathis

Dr. Mathis (Texas A&M ’53), 94, Fort Worth, Texas, died Jan. 2, 2022. Following graduation, he was in private practice for a year in Tyler, Texas, before joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a veterinary meat inspector. While with the USDA, Dr. Mathis served in supervisory and management positions in the Southwest, Midwest, and in Washington, D.C. He also developed procedures for compliance guidance for meat and poultry inspection, heading operations in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1980, Dr. Mathis left the USDA and established a feline practice in Texas’ Tarrant County. He retired from active practice in 1999. Dr. Mathis was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a veteran of the Navy. His son, three grandchildren, and a sister survive him.

H. Dennis McCurdy

Dr. McCurdy (Georgia ’66), 82, Overland Park, Kansas, died Dec. 23, 2021. Following graduation, he practiced small animal medicine in Augusta, Georgia. From 1967-69, Dr. McCurdy served in the Army, during which time he worked at the Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. He subsequently returned to small animal practice in Augusta. In 1972, Dr. McCurdy began a career in the pharmaceutical industry, working initially for Pitman-Moore and later for Bayer Animal Health. He retired in 1996. Active in his community, Dr. McCurdy developed a mentoring program for Science Pioneers, a volunteer organization in Kansas City, Kansas. His wife, Carol; a daughter and a son; and four grandchildren survive him.

Roger K. McInturf

Dr. McInturf (Ohio State ’63), 84, Ashland, Ohio, died Nov. 18, 2021. Following graduation, he established a practice in Ashland. Dr. McInturf subsequently helped establish Spring Meadow Veterinary Clinic in Ashland, where he served as a partner. He retired in 2006. Dr. McInturf was active with the 4-H Club. He is survived by his wife, Mary; three children; five grandchildren; and nine siblings. Memorials may be made to Grace Church, 1144 W. Main St., Ashland, OH 44805; Brookside Junior Golf Program, 1399 Sandusky St., Ashland, OH 44805; or the Ashland County 4-H Committee, 1763 State Route 60, Ashland, OH 44805.

Leon J. Mills

Dr. Mills (Kansas State ’64), 81, Herington, Kansas, died Nov. 14, 2021. Following graduation, he practiced mixed animal medicine in Ralston, Nebraska, and in Eureka, Kansas. During that time, Dr. Mills also worked with racehorses at Eureka Downs. He subsequently served two years as a captain in the Army and worked as a staff veterinarian at Armour-Baldwin Laboratories. Dr. Mills next practiced for three years in Ottawa, Kansas. He went on to own Herington Animal Hospital. In 1980, Dr. Mills sold his practice and joined JJ Sheldon & Associates, a feedlot consulting company. He later served as an independent consultant. Dr. Mills is survived by his wife, Pat; two sons and a daughter; and seven grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Merlin R. Oswalt

Dr. Oswalt (Ohio State ’56), 88, Heber Springs, Arkansas, died Nov. 19, 2021. Following graduation, he practiced mixed animal medicine in West Alexandria, Ohio, for more than 20 years. In 1978, Dr. Oswalt bought Western Hill Veterinary Clinic in Middletown, Ohio, where he practiced small animal medicine until retirement in 1995. He later served as a relief veterinarian in Arkansas for two years. Dr. Oswalt is survived by two daughters, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Joseph C. Potucek Jr.

Dr. Potucek (Oklahoma State ’57), 88, Paris, Texas, died Dec. 24, 2021. He practiced mixed animal medicine for 40 years in northern Indiana, where he owned Southlane Veterinary Hospital in Valparaiso from 1958-97. Dr. Potucek subsequently owned a ranch in Willow City, Texas, raising Quarter Horses and cattle. He was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. Potucek was active with the 4-H Club, serving on the board of directors of the Porter County 4-H Hub in Indiana and as superintendent of its Horse and Pony Project for several years. He is survived by his life partner, Alice; a daughter and two sons; four grandchildren; and a brother.

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