In Memory – September 28, 2023

Cláudio Correa Natalini

Dr. Correa Natalini, 62, Vila Velha, Brazil, died June 19, 2023. A 1984 veterinary graduate of Fluminense Federal University in Brazil, he was an associate clinical professor of veterinary anesthesiology in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Earlier in his career, Dr. Correa Natalini served on the veterinary faculties of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil, the University of Adelaide in Australia, and Louisiana State University and the University of Pennsylvania. His research interests focused on equine regional and spinal analgesia and anesthesia, pharmacogenetics, and nano-emulsified inhalant anesthetics.

A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Analgesia and Anesthesia, Dr. Correa Natalini was a member of the North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society and the Brazilian VMA. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Carla de Cavalcante Teixeira, also a 1984 veterinary graduate of Fluminense Federal University; a stepson; and his mother.

William J. Grace Jr.

Dr. Grace (Cornell ’56), 90, West Winfield, New York, died July 23, 2023. He owned a mixed animal practice in West Winfield. Active in his community, Dr. Grace served on the board of directors of the Mount Markham Central School District. He is survived by two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren, and a sister.

Bryan Arthur Murphy

Dr. Murphy (Auburn ’88), 66, Opelika, Alabama, died June 30, 2023. Following graduation, he established Murphy Veterinary Hospital in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. In 2011, Dr. Murphy moved to Alabama where he practiced in the Auburn area and at Crawford Road Animal Clinic in Phenix City, eventually taking ownership of the practice.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie; two daughters; five grandchildren; his mother; and three brothers. Memorials, toward the Legacy Fund, may be made to the Church of the Highlands (select options Legacy and East Auburn), East Auburn Campus, 2001 E. Samford Ave., Auburn, AL 36830.

Dean Hugh Peterson

Dr. Peterson (Michigan State ’71), 82, Janesville, Wisconsin, died July 24, 2023. Following graduation, he worked in Kentucky and West Virginia. In 1978, Dr. Peterson moved to Wisconsin, where he established a mixed animal practice in Janesville, focusing on horses. A past president of the Wisconsin VMA, he was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and was active with the Rock Valley VMA, Rock County Sheep Producers, Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, and Milton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Peterson is survived by his companion, Jackie Collins; two sons and a daughter; 11 grandchildren; and a brother. Memorials may be made to the Rock County 4-H Fair, P.O. Box 606, Janesville, WI 53547.

Roger G. Wells

Dr. Wells (Oklahoma State ’65), 83, Hampstead, New Hampshire, died August 10, 2023. Following graduation, he practiced four years in Vinita, Oklahoma, before establishing a racetrack practice. During his more than 50-year career in equine medicine, Dr. Wells served multiple racetracks on the east coast, including Scarborough Downs Race Track in Scarborough, Maine, and Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire. He also owned a Hereford cattle and Thoroughbred horse ranch in Oklahoma for several years.

Dr. Wells served on the Hampstead School Board and was a former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. He also served four terms as the treasurer of the New England chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Wells is survived by two sons, a daughter, and seven grandchildren. Memorials, toward the New Hampshire chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, may be made to NAMI NH, 85 N. State St., Concord, NH 03301.

James Martin Wilson

Dr. Wilson (Auburn ’79), 71, Coral Springs, Florida, died September 7, 2023. He owned Atlantic Animal Clinic in Pompano Beach, Florida, where he practiced small animal medicine until retirement in 2014. Dr. Wilson is survived by two sons.

A version of this story appears in the December 2023 print issue of JAVMA.

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