In Memory – November 9, 2023

James D. McCrady

Dr. McCrady (Texas A&M ’58), 92, College Station, Texas, died March 14, 2023. He retired in 1999 as head of the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. During his 35-year tenure at the veterinary college, Dr. McCrady served as an instructor and an assistant professor in veterinary physiology and pharmacology.

He was a member of the American Physiological Society, Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice, and American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition. Dr. McCrady served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Mary; a son and two daughters; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Lincoln House of Hope, 1013 Eleanor St., College Station, TX 77840, or Traditions Health Hospice, 1103 Rock Prairie Road, Suite 2051B, College Station, TX 77845.

Roger E. Meisner

Dr. Meisner (Minnesota ’55), 97, Afton, Minnesota, died August 27, 2023. Following graduation, he served as a partner at Dakota Veterinary Hospital in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Dr. Meisner later joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a foreign service officer, traveling worldwide to ensure meat inspection systems met USDA standards. The USDA honored him with a certificate of merit for his work.

In 1996, Dr. Meisner established what was known as the Dr. Roger E. Meisner Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, benefiting high school students in North Dakota who have been accepted or are enrolled in a veterinary college in North America. A member of the North Dakota VMA (NDVMA), he was named Veterinarian of the Year in 2003 and received the NDVMA Presidential Award in 2016.

Walter F. Norvell

Dr. Norvell (Texas A&M ’56), 90, Mount Orab, Ohio, died September 22, 2023. In 1959, he established the Mount Orab Veterinary Clinic, focusing on equine medicine. Earlier, Dr. Norvell served in the Army Veterinary Corps, attaining the rank of captain. He was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Ohio VMA. Dr. Norvell is survived by his wife, Mary Joyce, and three daughters. Memorials may be made to the Highway 32 Church of Christ, P.O. Box 642, Williamsburg, OH 45176.

Darrell C. Phillips

Dr. Phillips (Kansas State ’49), 97, WaKeeney, Kansas, died May 9, 2023. Following graduation, he worked a year in Hutchinson, Kansas. Dr. Phillips then established a practice in WaKeeney, retiring in 1995. A member of the Kansas VMA, he served on the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners for several years. Dr. Phillips was active with the 4-H Club and National Farmers Organization. He is survived by three daughters, two sons, two stepsons, 19 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, two brothers, and a sister. Memorials, toward long-term care at Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital, may be made c/o Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Charles R. Root

Dr. Root (Washington State ’66), 81, Bothell, Washington, died August 31, 2023. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, he owned Animal Medical Imaging in Bothell for 39 years prior to retirement. Earlier, Dr. Root served as a professor of radiology at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

A past president of the Washington State VMA (WSVMA), he was a recipient of the WSVMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 1998. Dr. Root’s wife, Joann; two daughters and a son; and four grandchildren survive him. 

Mark W. Stanhope

Dr. Stanhope (Washington State ’03), 52, Portland, Oregon, died August 3, 2023. He practiced at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital in Vancouver, Washington, for 20 years. Dr. Stanhope is survived by his wife, Annette; a daughter; his mother; and three siblings.

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

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