Obituaries

AVMA member

AVMA honor roll member

Nonmember

Larry C. Booth Jr.

Dr. Booth (Iowa State '73), 70, Ames, Iowa, died Aug. 15, 2018. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, he was an associate professor at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. During his tenure, Dr. Booth served as director of biomedical communications from 2001-04 and directed veterinary education and technology services from 2004-09. He also chaired the veterinary college's Curriculum Committee from 2001-05. Earlier in his career, Dr. Booth served on the faculties of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. His wife, Marilyn; two sons and a daughter; and three grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Student Chapter of the AVMA, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1800 Christensen Drive, Ames, IA 50011.

Joseph E. Donavan

Dr. Donavan (Iowa State '56), 86, Salida, Colorado, died May 20, 2018. He owned a mixed animal practice in Madison, Wisconsin, prior to retirement, including several satellite clinics and a mobile service. Dr. Donavan was a founding member of Cayman Veterinary Associates, providing veterinary care on the island. He helped establish a free children's zoo in Madison and volunteered at the Cayman Turtle Farm and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. Dr. Donavan was a veteran of the Army, serving at Fort Dietrich Army Medical Center in Fredrick, Maryland, and Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, prior to establishing his Madison practice. His wife, Janet; three daughters and two sons; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister survive him.

George A. Elliott

Dr. Elliott (Georgia '53), 93, Grand Ledge, Michigan, died June 16, 2018. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, he worked for Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a veterinary pathologist prior to retirement. Dr. Elliott was a member of the Kalamazoo-Dunes Orchid Society. He served in the Navy during World War II. Dr. Elliott's three daughters, 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, 901 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001, or to Living Threads, a Christian organization that raises money via memory quilts to support needy children, at 100 South Pine St., Suite 145, Zeeland, MI 49464.

George F. Haggerty

Dr. Haggerty (Cornell '73), 71, Tulsa, Oklahoma, died June 11, 2018. A small animal veterinarian, he owned Marina Animal Clinic in Tulsa. Dr. Haggerty's wife, Mariann; two daughters and a son; and four grandchildren survive him.

Robert P. Harle

Dr. Harle (Texas A&M '72), 70, Baird, Texas, died Aug. 17, 2018. He was the founder of Callahan County Veterinary Clinic in Clyde, Texas, where he practiced mixed animal medicine until 2009. Dr. Harle later practiced from a home office, serving ranchers. Early in his career, he worked in Martindale, Texas. Dr. Harle was a past president of the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice and a member of the Texas VMA, American Association of Equine Practitioners, and Texas Equine Veterinary Association. He was instrumental in the founding of a small animal emergency clinic in Abilene, Texas, and actively supported the establishment of a veterinary school at Texas Tech University in Amarillo.

Active in his community, Dr. Harle served two terms on the Baird Independent School District Board, was a past president of the Callahan County Water Supply Corp. and a past vice president of the Callahan County Sheriff's Posse, and was a member of the Callahan-Shackleford County Farm Bureau. His wife, Nicki; three sons; seven grandchildren; his father; and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 757, Baird, TX 79504, or Texas Tech Masked Rider Endowment Fund, Attn: Center for Campus Life, Box 45014, Lubbock, TX 79409.

Charles D. Heinze

Dr. Heinze (Kansas State '53), 92, Erie, Pennsylvania, died March 25, 2018. He was the founder of The Equine Veterinary Clinic in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he practiced until retirement in 1990. Following graduation, Dr. Heinze practiced small animal medicine for a year in Lincoln, Nebraska. He then moved to Pocahontas, Iowa, where he owned a mixed animal practice for five years. Dr. Heinze subsequently joined the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences as an assistant professor in large animal medicine. From 1961-67, he served as an associate professor at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, after which he established his practice in West Lafayette.

Active in organized veterinary medicine, Dr. Heinze founded and served as chairman of the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners and was a past president of the Indiana Thoroughbred Association and West Central Indiana VMA. In 2009, he received an Alumni Recognition Award from the Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Alumni Association. Dr. Heinze served in the Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion. He was also active with the Kiwanis. Dr. Heinze's two daughters, a son, and three grandchildren survive him. His son, Dr. David Heinze (Purdue '76), owns Fox Valley Equine Practice in La Fox, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the My Mentor Honor Program, AAEP Foundation, 4033 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511, jav.ma/AAEPMentorHonor.

John L. Marks

Dr. Marks (Wisconsin '89), 56, North Freedom, Wisconsin, died July 13, 2018. He served as senior veterinarian for the state of Wisconsin's Rural Electric Power Services program. Earlier in his career, Dr. Marks worked in New Glarus, Wisconsin, and practiced large animal medicine at Sauk Prairie Veterinary Clinic in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin. His wife, Heather; mother; and three brothers and two sisters survive him. Memorials may be made to Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center, 1457 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703, or Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202.

W.E. Mathes

Dr. Mathes (Kansas State '61), 91, Worthington, Indiana, died Aug. 25, 2018. He owned a mixed animal practice in Worthington for 57 years. Dr. Mathes served in the Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion. He was also active with the Elks Club. Dr. Mathes is survived by two daughters and two grandchildren. Memorials toward the Greene County Humane Society may be sent to the Welch & Cornett Funeral Home, 23 S. Jefferson St., Worthington, IN 47471.

Ben B. Norman

Dr. Norman (Oklahoma State '60), 82, Davis, California, died Aug. 17, 2018. He was extension veterinarian emeritus at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. During his tenure at UC-Davis, Dr. Norman also served as a lecturer in the veterinary school's Department of Medicine and Epidemiology. Earlier in his career, he was in private practice in New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma; served as a Fulbright lecturer in physiology in Guatemala; worked as an animal production specialist in Paraguay; and served as extension beef cattle specialist and associate professor of animal science at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Dr. Norman was a charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and a past president of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition. He was a member of the American Association of Extension Veterinarians, Society for Theriogenology, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, California Cattlemen's Association, and California VMA.

In 1994, Dr. Norman was named AAEV Extension Veterinarian of the Year, and, in 1999, he received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. He was the recipient of the AABP-Merial Excellence in Preventive Medicine Beef Award in 2001. Dr. Norman's wife, Cathy; a son and a daughter; and a grandchild survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA 94010.

Michael D. Passovoy

Dr. Passovoy (California-Davis '67), 77, Chico, California, died June 19, 2018. During his career, he practiced mixed animal medicine at Chico Animal Hospital. Dr. Passovoy was active with the Elks Lodge and Noon Exchange Club and was a member of the National Ski Patrol for 50 years. His wife, Carol; two sons; three grandchildren; and a sister survive him.

Tami Pygatt-Dankaro

Dr. Pygatt-Dankaro (Tuskegee '91), 56, Long Beach, California, died April 21, 2018. A small animal practitioner, she served as a relief veterinarian in Southern California. Dr. Pygatt-Dankaro was active with the vaccination program for animal owners in Lynwood, California, via the Southern California VMA. Her husband, Yusufu; her parents; and a sister survive her. Dr. Pygatt-Dankaro's father, Dr. Edward Pygatt (Tuskegee '56), is a retired small animal veterinarian in Lynwood. Memorials may be made to Tuskegee University, 1200 W. Montgomery Road, Tuskegee, AL 36088.

Royce E. Roberts Jr.

Dr. Roberts (Texas A&M '67), 74, Fredericksburg, Texas, died Aug. 14, 2018. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology, he was a professor and head of anatomy and radiology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine prior to retirement. Previously, Dr. Roberts taught and served as director of radiological services at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Early in his career, he was an associate veterinarian in a small animal and exotic practice in Houston; served as an instructor in radiology at the Texas A&M University and Auburn University veterinary colleges; was a staff radiologist in Austin, Texas; and served as a professor at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Roberts is survived by his wife, Karen; two sons and a stepson; five grandchildren; and a sister. Memorials may be made to the Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute, 1338 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach, CA 93433.

Scott A. Sloan

Dr. Sloan (California-Davis '77), 73, La Crescenta, California, died Aug. 29, 2018. A small animal practitioner, he served as an associate veterinarian at Vanderhoof Veterinary Hospital in Altadena, California, and West Main Animal Hospital in Alhambra, California. Dr. Sloan also contributed his services to the San Gabriel Humane Society. He is survived by a brother and a sister. Memorials, with the memo line of the check notated to the Scott A. Sloan Award in Veterinary Medicine, may be made to the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 1167, Davis, CA 95617. They may also be made to the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, 851 E. Grand Ave., San Gabriel, CA 91776.

James H. Sokolowski

Dr. Sokolowski (Illinois '65), 82, Atlanta, died Sept. 14, 2018. Following graduation and after earning his doctorate in nutritional biochemistry in 1965 from the University of Illinois, he began his career at Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, working in the animal health division. During his time at Upjohn, Dr. Sokolowski was awarded patents for the treatment of genital tract disease with prostaglandins and for treating pseudopregnancy, galactorrhea, and mastitis in mammals. He also managed the research and development of the drugs Prostin, Cheque Drops, and Lutalyse. In 1981, Dr. Sokolowki joined Gaines Pet Nutrition Center in Kankakee, Illinois, working in pet food research and development. After the acquisition of Gaines Foods by Quaker Oats in 1986, he developed Cycle Dog Food. From 1990 until retirement in 2000, Dr. Sokolowki worked for Kal Kan Foods in Los Angeles, serving initially as veterinary communications manager and later as professional services manager and spokesperson. In retirement, he wrote "Ask Dr. Jim" columns for several online pet sites and for magazines and newspapers.

Dr. Sokolowski was a past member of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation board of directors. He received the AVMA Gaines Award in 1980. Dr. Sokolowski is survived by his wife, Barbara; two daughters and a son; and eight grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741.

Richard J. Stava

Dr. Stava (Colorado State '60), 86, Rushville, Nebraska, died July 27, 2018. Following graduation, he worked in Chadron, Nebraska, for several years. Dr. Stava then established a practice in Rushville, practicing primarily large animal medicine in the area until retirement. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Dr. Stava's wife, Katherine; two daughters and two sons; and eight grandchildren survive him.

Darold L. Strandberg

Dr. Strandberg (Minnesota '57), 90, Alma Center, Wisconsin, died April 12, 2018. He practiced primarily bovine medicine in Alma Center for 40 years, establishing Strandberg Veterinary Service with his son, Dr. Hoyt Strandberg (Minnesota '76), in the mid-1970s. Dr. Strandberg was a past vice president of the American Jersey Cattle Association and served on the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board. In 2003, he received the AJCA Distinguished Service Award. Active in his community, Dr. Strandberg served as Jackson County coroner and was a member of the Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School Board and Jackson County Board. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and received several honors for his military service, including the Silver Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and Purple Heart. Dr. Strandberg's four sons, a daughter, 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, two sisters, and a brother survive him. His brother, Dr. Harold L. Strandberg (Minnesota '54), is a retired Army Veterinary Corps colonel.

William A. Suro

Dr. Suro (Pennsylvania '60), 82, Littleton, Colorado, died Sept. 6, 2018. He began his career practicing small animal medicine in Philadelphia. In the 1960s, Dr. Suro moved to Denver, where he continued to practice small animal medicine, owning Anderson Animal Hospital in the 1980s. In 1988, he and his wife, Nanci, established MaxFund, a no-kill animal shelter and adoption center. Dr. Suro was a past president of the Denver Area VMS and a member of the American Animal Hospital Association. He is survived by his wife, four children, 10 grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and two half brothers and a half sister. Memorials may be made to MaxFund, 720 W. 10th Ave., Denver, CO 80204.

John M. Terry

Dr. Terry (Cornell '65), 78, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, died Sept. 17, 2018. He began his career at Huntington Animal Hospital in Long Island, New York. In 1966, Dr. Terry took over the practice owned by his father, Dr. John W. Terry (Cornell '33), in Rockville Centre, New York, where he worked until retirement in 1990. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; three daughters and a son; nine grandchildren; and a brother and a sister. Memorials may be made to St. Ignatius Loyola, 9999 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.