In Memory – January 18, 2024

Edward L. Bowlus

Dr. Bowlus (Ohio State ’53), 98, Mount Vernon, Ohio, died July 10, 2023. Following graduation, he established a practice in Fredericktown, Ohio, where he worked for 36 years prior to retirement in 1989. Dr. Bowlus was a member of the Ohio VMA. He was a past president of the Knox County Board of Health and served on the Fredericktown District Board of Education. Dr. Bowlus was a veteran of the Army. His wife, Eleanor; two sons and a daughter; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Cornerstone Community Church Building Fund, 123 Columbus Road, Fredericktown, OH 43019, or Hospice of Knox County, 17700 Coshocton Ave., Mount Vernon, OH 43050.

Nicole Duffee

Dr. Duffee (Illinois ’78), 71, Collierville, Tennessee, died June 11, 2023. She served as director of education and scientific affairs at the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) for 21 years. Dr. Duffee also led the AALAS Learning Library development team for the online learning platform and courses in laboratory animal science. She previously worked at the University of Oregon and Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Duffee was a founding member and past president of the Laboratory Animal Welfare and Training Exchange, a global organization aiming to enhance animal welfare through the support of quality training programs and the development of training professionals in the laboratory animal science community. In 1999, she received the AALAS George R. Collins Education and Training Award for outstanding contributions to the field of laboratory animal training and education.

Dr. Duffee is survived by her mother. Memorials may be made to the AALAS Foundation, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive, Memphis, TN 38125; Youth Villages, 3320 Brother Blvd., Memphis, TN 38133; or Bethany Christian Services, 901 Eastern Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Herbert V. Lundy

Dr. Lundy (Georgia ’58), 94, Gulf Breeze, Florida, died August 21, 2023. Following graduation and after earning a master’s in public health from Tulane University, he served as the veterinarian for Hamilton County, Florida. In 1961, Dr. Lundy moved to Milton, Florida, where he established Milton Animal Clinic, practicing there until retirement. Dr. Lundy was a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce, and Kiwanis International. He was a veteran of the Air Force. Dr. Lundy’s wife, Gynelle, and a son survive him. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 6797 Caroline St., Milton, FL 32570.

Jerome D. McGraw

Dr. McGraw (Minnesota ’71), 86, Plainfield, Illinois, died September 14, 2023. He was a small animal veterinarian. Dr. McGraw is survived by his wife, Pamela, and his family.

Christopher B. Merritt

Dr. Merritt (Oklahoma State ’92), 56, Dardanelle, Arkansas, died August 27, 2023. Following graduation, he served in the Army, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Merritt later continued in the Army Reserve, rising to the rank of major. After his service in the Army, he established Merritt Animal Clinic in Dardanelle, where he practiced mixed animal medicine for more than two decades. Dr. Merritt was a member of the Arkansas Valley Horse Show Association and Rotary Club of Dardanelle. His wife, Teri; two daughters; his parents; and two brothers survive him. Memorials may be made to the Rotary Club of Dardanelle, 402 N. Front St., Dardanelle, AR 72834, or Russellville First United Methodist Church General Fund, 304 S. Commerce Ave., Russellville, AR 72801.

Justin J. Quecke

Dr. Quecke (Ohio State ’58), 90, Fountain Valley, California, died September 7, 2023. During his career, he served as a pharmacology instructor at Iowa State University and owned practices in Ohio, California, and Nevada. Dr. Quecke’s practice in Orange County, California, was one of the first oncology practices in the county. In later years, he served as a relief veterinarian in Nevada. Dr. Quecke is survived by his wife, Mary; three sons; three grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and two sisters.

Deborah L. Scott Lewis

Dr. Scott Lewis (Mississippi State ’93), 54, Clover, South Carolina, died September 14, 2023. Following graduation, she practiced in Mobile, Alabama, for several years. Dr. Scott Lewis subsequently worked for VIP Petcare at multiple locations in the Carolinas, most recently in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She is survived by her husband, John; a son; and a brother. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Darcy J. Smith

Dr. Smith (Minnesota ’80), 71, Salem, Oregon, died September 12, 2023. During her career, she practiced at Oak Hills Veterinary & Salem Cat Clinic in Salem. Dr. Smith is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard Hillmer (Minnesota ’80), also a veterinarian, and a daughter. Memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of America, 1275 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309; Family Building Blocks, 2425 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR 97305; or Marion Polk Food Share, 1660 Salem Industrial Drive NE, Salem, OR 97301.

Jody H. Wagner

Dr. Wagner (Auburn ’02), 46, Cropwell, Alabama, died August 8, 2023. He practiced at Coosa Valley Equine Center in Pell City, Alabama, where he served as chief surgeon. Dr. Wagner is survived by his wife, Erica; a son and a daughter; his parents; and a brother. Memorials may be made to Alabama Veteran-Dovetail Landing (an organization for veterans), 11534 Stemley Road, Lincoln, AL 36096.

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

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