In Memory – October 9, 2025

John P. Kluge

Dr. Kluge (Missouri ’62), 87, Ames, Iowa, died July 3, 2025. He was a member of the veterinary faculty at Iowa State University prior to retirement. During that time, Dr. Kluge served 15 years as chair of the Department of Veterinary Pathology. He later served as the coordinator of international education programs. In retirement, Dr. Kluge worked part time as a pathologist at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames. Early in his career, he served as a research veterinarian at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames.

A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, Dr. Kluge served as a delegate and an alternate delegate on the AVMA House of Delegates for several years. Active in his community, he was a past chairman of the Story County Board of Health and served on the Ames Town & Country Saddle Club board of directors. Dr. Kluge is survived by his wife, Rose Marie; a son and two daughters; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials may be made to the Iowa VMA, 1605 North Ankeny Blvd., Suite 100, Ankeny, IA 50023, or Israel Family Hospice House, 400 S. Dakota Ave., Ames, IA 50014.

James A. Summers

Dr. Summers (Oklahoma State ’68), 82, Cave Creek, Arizona, died June 18, 2025. He served as a veterinarian for the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission for 35 years. Dr. Summers is survived by his wife, Paulette; two sons; and a sister and brother.

Revelly Jean Swigert

Dr. Swigert (Auburn ’86), 69, Louisville, Kentucky, died June 29, 2025. In 2007, she established Derby Animal Hospital in Louisville, where she practiced until 2020. Prior to that, Dr. Swigert worked at Dixie Animal Hospital in Louisville. Her mother and brother survive her.

John Phillip Toelkes

Dr. Toelkes (Texas A&M ’62), 91, Brentwood, California, died August 25, 2025. From 1978 until retirement in 2008, he served as the veterinarian for King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas, leading a team that developed and advanced the ranch’s Quarter Horse breeding program. Earlier in his career, Dr. Toelkes practiced in Douglas, Arizona; Abilene, Texas; and Normal, Oklahoma. He was a veteran of the Navy. Dr. Toelkes is survived by two sons, two grandchildren, and a sister.

Earl W. Weiss

Dr. Weiss (Kansas State ’60), 95, Greeley, Colorado, died August 27, 2025. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Garden City, Kansas, for more than 30 years prior to retirement. In retirement, Dr. Weiss served as the veterinarian for Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City for a few years. He was a member of the Kansas VMA and Ducks Unlimited. Dr. Weiss was a veteran of the Air Force. His two daughters, a son, eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a great great-grandchild survive him. Memorials, toward Lee Richardson Zoo, may be made c/o Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N.7th St., Garden City, KS 67846.

John R. Welser

Dr. Welser (Michigan State ’61), 89, Naples, Florida, died September 15, 2025. From 1975-83, he served as dean of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. During that time, Dr. Welser worked with deans of other veterinary institutions to develop several joint programs. Following his service as dean, he joined Upjohn, where he was vice president and director of agricultural research until retirement in 2000. In retirement, Dr. Welser was a consultant and volunteered for several years at ECHO, a nonprofit organization teaching sustainable farming and water purification methods. Early in his career, he served as associate dean of veterinary medicine at the University of Georgia.

Dr. Welser is survived by his wife, Katie; a daughter and a son; a grandchild; and a sister. Memorials may be made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105, or Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, University Advancement, 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824.

Roderick D. Zachary

Dr. Zachary (Iowa State ’55), 97, Chetek, Wisconsin, died August 29, 2025. He was a partner at Barron Veterinary Clinic in Barron, Wisconsin, prior to retirement. Dr. Zachary was a veteran of the Army. His wife, Lucille; two sons, a daughter, two stepdaughters, and a stepson; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Chetek Lutheran Church, 1419 2nd St., Chetek, WI 54728, or Luther Park Bible Camp, 944 24 1/4 St., Chetek, WI 54728.

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; 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.