In Memory – November 20, 2025

John D. Briddell

Dr. Briddell (Pennsylvania '66), 85, Bloomington, Indiana, died September 16, 2025. Following graduation, he was in mixed animal practice for 12 years in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Briddell then joined Pittman Moore, eventually becoming director of technical services. He retired in 2004. Dr. Briddell's wife, Esther; two sons; and three grandchildren survive him. Memorials, toward student scholarships, may be made to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Penn Vet Institutional Advancement, 3800 Spruce St., Room 172E, Philadelphia, PA 19104; HealthNet Bloomington Health Center, 811 W. 2nd St., Bloomington, IN 47403; or Trinity Episcopal Church, 111 S. Grant St., Bloomington, IN 47408 (notated toward the Second Century Fund).

Henry Davis 'Hank' Ferris Jr.

Dr. Ferris (Pennsylvania '74), 76, Naples, Florida, died April 18, 2025. He owned Middletown Animal Hospital in Middletown, New Jersey, where he practiced small animal medicine for 25 years. Active in his community, Dr. Ferris was a past mayor of Holmdel Township in New Jersey and a past president of the Holmdel Township Volunteer Fire Department. He is survived by his wife, Deborah; a son and a daughter; four grandchildren; and a sister and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Support Network, 1421 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 100, Naples, FL 34109, or Avow Hospice 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.

Elizabeth Anne Parker

Dr. Parker (Georgia '06), 47, Redmond, Oregon, died July 12, 2025. She practiced at Oceanside Veterinary Clinic until 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina Dr. Parker is survived by her husband, Brodie McCary Trickey; her parents; and a sister.

Melvin E. Pence Jr.

Dr. Pence (Iowa State '74), 80, Scottsdale, Arizona, died July 20, 2025. Following graduation, he practiced briefly in Wisconsin. Dr. Pence subsequently joined Tri County Veterinary Service in Clearfield, Iowa. After earning his master's degree from Iowa State University, focusing on bovine reproduction, he served on the veterinary faculty of the University of Georgia until retirement. During his career, Dr. Pence was active in efforts to educate cattle producers about Johne's disease. In retirement, he volunteered at animal rescues and shelters. Dr. Pence was a veteran of the Army. He is survived by his daughter, a grandson, and three brothers. Memorials may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202, or Home Fur Good, 10220 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85028.

Ralph H. Stauffacher

Dr. Stauffacher (Purdue '69), 84, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, died September 21, 2025. Following graduation, he practiced in Columbus, Wisconsin. In 1972, Dr. Stauffacher joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, serving as a staff veterinarian for 34 years. During that time, he was involved with several research projects, including developing and perfecting a rumen cannula surgical technique that allowed researchers to learn about cows and their use of feed. Dr. Stauffacher is survived by a daughter, a son, and three grandchildren. His son-in-law, Dr. Daniel Novitch (Wisconsin '96), is also a veterinarian. Memorials may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202.

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.

A version of this story appears in the January 2026 print issue of JAVMA