In Memory – March 13, 2025

Matthew S. Eliott

Dr. Eliott (Purdue ’83), 69, Tehachapi, California, died August 29, 2024. During his career, he practiced equine medicine in New York and California. Dr. Eliott authored the book “Stallside: My Life with Horses and Other Characters.” He is survived by his family.

Taylor Elise Foster

Dr. Foster (Washington State ’20), 31, Poulsbo, Washington, died October 28, 2024. She practiced at Poulsbo Marina Veterinary Clinic in Poulsbo. Dr. Foster also served as a relief veterinarian at Apple Tree Cove Animal Hospital in Kingston, Washington. She was a member of the Washington State VMA. Dr. Foster is survived by her parents, a sister, and two brothers.

David A. Garlie

Dr. Garlie (Minnesota ’65), 83, Northfield, Minnesota, died December 15, 2024. Following graduation, he joined the practice established by his father, Dr. Adolph O. Garlie, in Northfield, retiring in 2017. Dr. Garlie is survived by his wife, Barbara; three sons and a daughter; eight grandchildren; and a brother and two sisters. One sister, Dr. Ginger Garlie (Minnesota ’85), and a niece, Dr. Sally Moe (Minnesota ’13), are also veterinarians.

Kenneth L. Greiner

Dr. Greiner (Minnesota ’67), 83, Elbow Lake, Minnesota, died November 30, 2024. He owned a practice in Elbow Lake, where he initially practiced mixed animal medicine, focusing later on equine medicine. Dr. Greiner was a past president of the Minnesota VMA (MVMA) and served as its alternate delegate and delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates. He also served on the AVMA Council on Veterinary Service and AVMA Animal Agriculture Liaison Committee. In 1989, Dr. Greiner was named MVMA Veterinarian of the Year.

His wife, Pamla; a daughter and a son; a grandchild; four great-grandchildren; and two brothers and two sisters survive him. Memorials, toward the MVMA past president’s annual scholarship fund for veterinary students, may be made to the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation, 101 Bridgepoint Way, Suite 100, South St. Paul, MN 55075.

Jeffrey K. Mayerson

Dr. Mayerson (Purdue ’91), 59, Lewiston, Maine, died December 18, 2024. He practiced at Lewiston Veterinary Hospital for 30 years. Dr. Mayerson is survived by his wife, Dr. Kathryn Mayerson (Ohio State ’92), also a veterinarian; a son; a brother; and his stepmother. Memorials may be made to the National Dysautonomia Research Foundation, P.O. Box 301, Red Wing, MN 55066.

Delaney Oxford

Dr. Oxford (St. George’s ’19), 32, Covington, Louisiana, died July 22, 2024. During her career, she practiced in Orange Grove, Texas, and in Covington. Dr. Oxford is survived by her husband, Patric; a son; her mother; and a sister. Memorials, toward an educational fund for her son, may be sent to David Gorham, 1542 Garfield Ave., Pocatello, ID 83204.

Mary Anna Thrall

Dr. Thrall (Purdue ’70), 80, Barnesville, Colorado, died July 14, 2024. Following graduation, she practiced small animal medicine in Greeley, Colorado, for four years. Dr. Thrall subsequently served more than 30 years on the veterinary faculty of Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, where she helped train veterinary clinical pathologists. In 2010, she joined Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine as a professor of veterinary clinical pathology. During her tenure, Dr. Thrall also served as head of the veterinary school’s Department of Biomedical Sciences for three years.

She co-authored the reference textbook “Veterinary Hematology and Clinical Chemistry.” Active in organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Thrall was a diplomate and a past president of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and a past president of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP). From 2007-10, she served on the AVMA Convention Education Program Committee. In 2008, Dr. Thrall received the ASVCP Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges honored her with the national Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award.

Dr. Thrall is survived by a son, three daughters, 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her life partner, Dr. Donald Thrall (Purdue ’69), and the father of her daughters, Dr. Francis Freemyer (Colorado State ’59), both of whom are veterinarians.

Ronald A. Wright

Dr. Wright (Ohio State ’61), 92, Sarasota, Florida, died November 24, 2024. From 1980-93, he served as dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Under his deanship, the veterinary college modernized its curriculum, expanded its facilities, and fostered interdisciplinary collaborations that emphasized the One Health approach. During his tenure, Dr. Wright also served as a professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Early in his career, he served as associate division chief at the Battelle Memorial Institute, a nonprofit focused on applied science and technology in Columbus, Ohio, subsequently joining The Ohio State University Research Foundation as director of its project development assistance division.

Dr. Wright was a past president of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. In 1996, Ohio State’s veterinary college honored him as a Distinguished Alumnus. Dr. Wright was a veteran of the Air Force and Air Force Reserve. His family survives him.

Please report the death of a veterinarian 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.