In Memory – December 21, 2023

Thomas M. Dillman

Dr. Dillman (Ohio State ’59), 88, St. Louis, Missouri, died September 26, 2023. From 2007-16, he practiced at Animals R Us in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Earlier in his career, Dr. Dillman owned a practice in Trotwood, Ohio, for more than 40 years. During that time, he served on the Trotwood-Madison School Board and was a member of the Trotwood Rotary Club. Dr. Dillman is survived by three daughters and four grandchildren.

Stephen M. Forsythe

Dr. Forsythe (Ohio State ’75), 75, Lancaster, Ohio, died October 15, 2023. He owned Amanda Animal Hospital in Amanda, Ohio, for 43 years prior to retirement in 2018. Dr. Forsythe also served as the veterinarian for the Pickaway and Fairfield County fairs and the Hillsboro Livestock Sale for several years. His wife, Linda; two sons and a daughter; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, stepbrother, and stepsister survive him. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Joan M. Kleczewski

Dr. Kleczewski (Colorado State ’96), 68, Littleton, Colorado, died November 4, 2023. Following graduation, she practiced small animal medicine in the Denver area, serving as an associate veterinarian with VCA Animal Hospitals. In 2000, Dr. Kleczewski established Centennial Veterinary Clinic in Littleton, where she practiced companion animal medicine until 2012. She is survived by her life partner, Jean Martine, and a sister and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Wild Animal Sanctuary, 2999 County Road 53, Keenesburg, CO 80643, or World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St. NW, P.O. Box 97180, Washington, DC 20090.

Joanne K. McCallum

Dr. McCallum (California-Davis ’95), 68, DeLand, Florida, died July 24, 2023. She practiced in Florida at Woodland Clinic in DeLand and Driftwood Clinic in Daytona Beach. Dr. McCallum also volunteered at Search and Rescue of Central Florida and owned and trained horses, participating in dressage and carriage racing. Her husband, Johnny; a daughter; a grandchild; and six siblings survive her.

James H. McKnight

Dr. McKnight (Iowa State ’63), 86, Brookings, South Dakota, died November 11, 2023. Following graduation, he worked in Mobridge, South Dakota. Dr. McKnight subsequently established a mixed animal practice in Brookings. In 1968, he founded McKnight Veterinary Clinic in Brookings. During his career, Dr. McKnight also served as a relief veterinarian.

Active in organized veterinary medicine, he served on the South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and was a past president of the South Dakota and Interstate VMAs. Dr. McKnight was a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. In 2015, he was named South Dakota VMA Veterinarian of the Year. Dr. McKnight is survived by his wife, Connie; a son and a daughter; and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the SDVMA Scholarship Foundation Inc., North Campus Drive, South Dakota State University, Box 2175, Brookings, SD 57007.

Beryl C. Taylor

Dr. Taylor (Pennsylvania ’75), 73, Cream Ridge, New Jersey, died May 23, 2023. Following graduation, he worked at Wright Veterinary Medical Center, a small animal practice in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Taylor subsequently joined Walnridge Equine Clinic in Cream Ridge, where he practiced for a few years. He then  established his own equine practice in Cream Ridge. Dr. Taylor was a longtime member of the New Jersey VMA. His wife, Laura; two sons; five grandchildren; and a brother survive him. Memorials, toward the Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund, may be made to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 3800 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Peter D. Westenburg

Dr. Westenburg (Colorado State ’65), 81, Omaha, Nebraska, died August 11, 2023. During his career, he established Mobile Animal Clinic and House Calls for Pets, mobile practices serving the Omaha area. Dr. Westenburg is survived by his life partner, Kate Willer; four sons; six grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials may be made to Food Bank for the Heartland, 10525 J St., Omaha, NE 68127, or The Salvation Army, 3738 Cuming St., Omaha, NE 68131.

A version of this story appears in the February 2024 print issue of JAVMA

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