Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Damon R. Averill Jr.

Dr. Averill (COR ’67), 62, Mattapoisett, Mass., died Feb. 12, 2006. Prior to retirement in 2002, he was a veterinary pathologist with Antec Corporation in Long Island, N.Y. Before that, Dr. Averill served as an instructor and conducted research at Cornell University, Harvard University, University of Michigan, and University of Connecticut. Early in his career, he worked as a veterinary neurologist at The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston.

Dr. Averill was a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. His brother, Dr. Eric Averill (COR ’70), is a veterinarian in East Bridgewater, Mass.

Howard E. Booher

Dr. Booher (OSU ’43), 87, Naples, Fla., died Feb. 25, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1976, he owned Vandalia Animal Clinic in Vandalia, Ohio. Dr. Booher is survived by his wife, Jeanne; a daughter; and two sons. Memorials may be made to The American Heart Association, 28441 Bonita Crossings Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL 34135; or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 13907 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33618.

David E. Catlin

Dr. Catlin (COL ’86), 50, Bozeman, Mont., died Dec. 31, 2005. He owned Equine Veterinary Associates in Belgrade, Mont. Following graduation, Dr. Catlin practiced at Littleton Large Animal Clinic in Denver. He then worked as an ambulatory clinician at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Catlin moved to Bozeman in 1993. He was also serving as an editorial adviser to DVM Newsmagazine, a position he held for more than a decade. The Gallatin Valley Agriculture Committee and Bozeman Area and Belgrade chambers of commerce will be posthumously awarding the Service to Agriculture Award to Dr. Catlin in 2006.

His wife, Laura; two sons; and a daughter survive him. Dr. Catlin’s father, Dr. Jack Catlin (GA ’54), who died in 1996, was in mixed practice in Bozeman and also worked at the Michigan State University Veterinary Research Laboratory. Memorials may be made to the David Catlin Memorial Fund, c/o St. James Church, 5 W. Oline, Bozeman, MT 59715.

Linda M. Cesnauskas

Dr. Cesnauskas (ILL ’85), 46, La Grange Park, Ill., died Dec. 8, 2005. She practiced small animal medicine in the Chicago area for 20 years, also serving as medical director of VCA Worth Animal Hospital in Palos Hills, Ill. Dr. Cesnauskas was a member of the Chicago VMA. Her daughter survives her. Memorials may be made to The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, 2250 E. Devon Ave., Suite 244, Des Plaines, IL 60018; or St. Barbara’s School, 8900 Windemere Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513.

William R. Dobbs

Dr. Dobbs (AUB ’42), 86, Albemarle, N.C., died Aug. 18, 2005. Prior to retirement, he practiced in Albemarle. Dr. Dobbs was a past president and life member of the North Carolina VMA. He served in the Army. Dr. Dobbs’ two sons and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 172 N. Second St., Albemarle, NC 28001.

Donald W. Doiron

Dr. Doiron (TEX ’69), 59, Lafayette, La., died Jan. 22, 2006. He was a partner at Doiron-Plauche Veterinary Hospital in Lafayette. Dr. Doiron served as president of the Louisiana VMA, Acadiana Area VA, and American Heartworm Society. In 2005, he was named Veterinarian of the Year by the LVMA. Dr. Doiron is survived by his wife, Marie; two daughters; and a son.

Memorials may be made to the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of ’69 Scholarship Fund, The Texas Veterinary Medical Center, College Station, TX 77843; or Dr. Walter J. Ernst Jr. Memorial Foundation, 8550 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

Ernest S. Hernady

Dr. Hernady (BOL ’40), 87, St. Louis, died Jan. 12, 2006. Prior to retirement in 1994, he owned Lemay Animal Hospital in St. Louis and three satellite clinics in the area. Earlier in his career, Dr. Hernady served as chief of surgery at The Humane Society of St. Louis. He was a member of the Missouri VMA and a past president of the Greater St. Louis VMA. Dr. Hernady is survived by his wife, Patricia; a daughter; and two stepdaughters. Memorials may be made to Long Meadow Rescue Ranch, 1201 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.

Norbert A. Lasher

Dr. Lasher (COR ’39), 90, Hobe Sound, Fla., died Aug. 27, 2005. He served in the Air Force from 1939-1969, attaining the rank of colonel. Dr. Lasher’s wife, Mary Jane; a daughter; and three sons survive him. Memorials may be made to Martin and St. Lucie Hospice, 1201 S.E. Indian St., Stuart, FL 34997.

Leslie R. Libby

Dr. Libby (WSU ’35), 93, Live Oak, Calif., died Sept. 4, 2005. Prior to retirement in 1985, he served as a relief veterinarian in the Yuba City area of California. Following graduation, Dr. Libby was in mixed practice in Sebastopol, Calif. He then moved to Colusa, Calif., where he owned a small animal practice. Dr. Libby later worked for the California Department of Agriculture.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Libby’s son and daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 725 Second St., Yuba City, CA 95991.

Ralph E. Loomis

Dr. Loomis (COR ’40), 88, Warsaw, N.Y., died Dec. 30, 2005. Prior to retirement in 1970, he co-owned a large animal practice, focusing on dairy cattle, with his wife, Dr. Grace K. Loomis (COR ’42), in Warsaw. Dr. Loomis was a member of the New York State VMS and Northern New York VMA. His wife; three sons; and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Wyoming County SPCA, 808 Creek Road, Route 98, P.O. Box 151, Attica, NY 14011.

Sidney L. Mellman

Dr. Mellman (UP ’49), 81, Ardmore, Pa., died Oct. 31, 2005. Prior to retirement in 1994, he practiced in Broomall, Pa., for more than 40 years. An Army veteran of World War II, Dr. Mellman was awarded the Purple Heart. His wife, Elizabeth, and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to Tzedakah-Hurricane Katrina, c/o Temple Sholom of Broomall, 55 Church Lane, Broomall, PA 19008.

Russel W. Pinfold

Dr. Pinfold (OSU ’41), 91, Topsham, Maine, died Aug. 21, 2005. From 1949 until retirement in 1981, he was in mixed practice in Brunswick, Maine. Prior to that, Dr. Pinfold worked for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Early in his career, he practiced on Maui, Hawaii. Dr. Pinfold served on the Brunswick Parks and Recreation Commission for 22 years. His wife, Jean; a daughter; and two sons survive him.

Sharman K. Van Zandt-von Fleckles

Dr. Van Zandt-von Fleckles (CAL ’84), 47, Claremont, Calif., died Jan. 23, 2006. She practiced at Citrus Veterinary Clinic in La Verne, Calif., for 21 years. During her career, Dr. Van Zandt-von Fleckles also served at the Inland Valley Humane Society and was affiliated with the Inland Valley Emergency Pet Clinic and East Valley Emergency Clinic.

Her husband, David, and two children survive her. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Sharman Scholarship Fund, c/o Citrus Clinic, 2317 E. Foothill Blvd., La Verne, CA 91750; or the Van Zandt and von Fleckles Fund, c/o Western Christian School, 3105 Padua Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.

Brazos J. Varisco

Dr. Varisco (TEX ’64), 64, Bryan, Texas, died Oct. 8, 2005. He owned Varisco Veterinary Clinic in Bryan for 38 years. Dr. Varisco also owned a cattle ranch. He was a member of the Texas VMA and the American and Texas Quarter Horse associations. A veteran of the Army, Dr. Varisco attained the rank of captain. His wife, Marsha; two sons; and two daughters survive him.

Memorials may be made to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Attn: Dr. W.K. Alfred Young, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Box 339, Houston, TX 77030; or Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, Attn: Noell Vance, Dean’s Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, TAMU, College Station, TX 77843.

Leonard W. West Jr.

Dr. West (MO ’69), 61, Springfield, Mo., died Jan. 3, 2006. He worked for the Department of Agriculture since 1988. Following graduation, Dr. West served in the Air Force for two years. He then practiced in St. Louis. From 1974-1988, Dr. West owned Parkcrest Veterinary Hospital in Springfield. His wife, Margery, and two sons survive him. Memorials may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

Robert L. Westlake

Dr. Westlake (MIN ’56), 73, Detroit Lakes, Minn., died Dec. 24, 2005. He co-owned Detroit Lakes Animal Hospital since 1965. Focusing on turkey diseases, Dr. Westlake also operated the Detroit Lakes Animal Hospital Diagnostic Laboratory. Earlier in his career, he practiced in Battle Lake, Minn.

Dr. Westlake consulted for the National Fur Foods Company and the Canadian Fur Breeders Association, and was named to the Mink Research Committee for the United States in 1993. In 2000, he received the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association’s Ranelius Award, recognizing his dedication and service. Dr. Westlake was a veteran of the Air Force.

His wife, Joan; two daughters; and a son survive him.

Mark D. Williams

Dr. Williams (KSU ’69), 60, Omaha, Neb., died Feb. 15, 2006. He owned Housecall Veterinary Service in Omaha. Dr. Williams was a member of the Nebraska VMA. His wife, Jonie; two daughters; and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66506; Westside Community Schools, 909 S. 76th St., Omaha, NE 68114; or Hospice House, 7415 Cedar St., Omaha, NE 68124.

Thomas A. Winner Jr.

Dr. Winner (CAL ’70), 61, Novato, Calif., died Sept. 23, 2005. He owned Animal Clinic of Novato. Earlier in his career, Dr. Winner practiced in Lafayette, Calif. He was a member of the Marin County VA. A past president of the Novato Rotary Club, Dr. Winner was named Novato Citizen of the Year by the Novato Chamber of Commerce in 1990. His wife, Reggie, and three sons survive him. Memorials may be made to the Novato Rotary Endowment, c/o Hurst, 2 Alyssum Court, Novato, CA 94945.