AVMA News

In Memory – Sept 1, 2022

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Martin L. Akins

Dr. Akins (California-Davis ’60), 85, Shaver Lake, California, died July 5, 2022. He practiced at Diamond Veterinary Medical Hospital in Visalia, California, where he served as a partner until retirement in 2000. Dr. Akins helped establish Tulare-Kings Veterinary Emergency Services in Visalia. He was a member of the California and Tulare-Kings VMAs and was active with Tulare County Animal Services, the Visalia Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, and the American Heart Association. Dr. Akins is survived by his wife, Jeanette; two sons and a daughter; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Hinds Hospice, 2490 W. Shaw, Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711; Church of Shaver Lake, 41340 Tollhouse Road, Shaver Lake, CA 93664; or Visalia United Methodist Church, 5200 W. Caldwell Ave., Visalia, CA 93277.

James E. Ducey Sr.

Dr. Ducey (Georgia ’58), 87, Savannah, Georgia, died May 29, 2022. Following graduation, he served in the Army. In 1960, Dr. Ducey took over the practice owned by his father, Dr. Frederick E. Ducey Sr., in Savannah. Dr. James Ducey retired in 2020. He served in the Army Reserves for more than 20 years, attaining the rank of major. His wife, Jayne; three sons and two daughters; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive him. A brother, Dr. Frederick E. Ducey Jr. (Georgia ’50), was a veterinarian in Ridgeland, South Carolina, prior to his death. Memorials, toward the St. Peter the Apostle Church Organ Fund, may be made to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 7020 Concord Road, Savannah, GA 31410.

James G. Fish

Dr. Fish (Texas A&M ’54), 92, Jacksonville, Florida, died July 13, 2022. Following graduation, he served in the Army. Dr. Fish subsequently practiced small animal medicine at San Juan Animal Hospital in Jacksonville for more than 40 years. His wife, Janet; three children; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive him.

Donald R. Glotfelty

Dr. Glotfelty (Georgia ’56), 90, New Kensington, Pennsylvania, died June 4, 2022. Following graduation, he served in the Army for two years. Dr. Glotfelty subsequently worked in a diagnostic laboratory at the University of Maryland. In 1961, he established a large animal practice in Maryland’s Garrett County, also founding a dairy farm in the area. In 1975, Dr. Glotfelty moved to Pittsburgh, where he owned Plum Animal Clinic, a small animal practice, until retirement in 2000.

He is survived by his companion, Betty Grossheim; two sons; two grandchildren; and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 255 3rd St., New Kensington, PA 15068, or The Nature Conservancy, Attn: Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203.

George A. Hofmann

Dr. Hofmann (Colorado State ’74), 84, Johnston, Iowa, died May 13, 2022. He worked as a meat inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During that time, Dr. Hofmann was also involved with the USDA’s Horse Protection Program and the monitoring of commercial dog breeding facilities. His wife, Jean; three daughters and a son; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother survive him.

Robert J. Luebke

Dr. Luebke (Colorado State ’58), 91, Ennis, Montana, died July 14, 2022. He was a partner at Four Corners Veterinary Hospital, a small animal practice in Concord, California. Dr. Luebke also helped establish a veterinary emergency clinic in California’s Contra Costa County. Early in his career, he worked in Chico, California. Dr. Luebke was a past president of the Contra Costa VMA. He is survived by his wife, Nani; a son; and a grandchild. Memorials may be made to the Madison Valley Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 993, Ennis, MT 59729.

Richard H. McConnell

Dr. McConnell (Iowa State ’62), 83, Antigo, Wisconsin, died July 27, 2022. Following graduation, he joined the Air Force, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. In 1964, Dr. McConnell moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked at Feist Animal Hospital. He subsequently established his own practice in Newport, Minnesota. Dr. McConnell went on to found Park Grove Pet Hospital in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. He retired in 2015. Dr. McConnell is survived by his wife, Laurie; three daughters and a son; six grandchildren; and a sister and brother.

Paul F. Raiti

Dr. Raiti, 70, Mount Vernon, New York, died July 10, 2022. A 1979 veterinary graduate of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, he owned Beverlie Animal Hospital in Mount Vernon. Known for his expertise in reptile and amphibian medicine, Dr. Raiti was a past president of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. In 2010, he was one of the first five veterinarians to achieve diplomate status with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in reptile and amphibian practice. Dr. Raiti authored several peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters and co-edited two editions of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Manual of Reptiles. His wife, Renie, and a daughter survive him.

Earnest E. Seiler Jr.

Dr. Seiler (Colorado State ’64), 87, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, died June 2, 2022. Following graduation, he practiced in Orlando, Florida. In 1967, Dr. Seiler established Seiler Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. He also founded the Pet Emergency Center in Fort Lauderdale and owned Broward Pet Cemetery and Crematory in Plantation, Florida. Dr. Seiler was a member of the Florida VMA and served on several of its committees. He was a past president of the Executives’ Association of Fort Lauderdale.

Dr. Seiler’s wife, Nancy; three daughters and two sons; 17 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild survive him. Memorials toward Orange Bowl Cares, a program that supports and rewards Florida teachers, may be made to the Orange Bowl Committee, 14360 NW 77th Court, Miami Lakes, FL 33016.

A version of this article appears in the October 2022 print issue of JAVMA.