Alumni Obituaries
In Memoriam
Dr. Samuel H. Woods, Jr. ’45 – Samuel H. Woods, Jr., 101, passed away December 30, 2022. He served in the Tennessee National Guard and the Army Specialized Training Program while earning his Auburn DVM, then joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served three years’ active duty during the Korean War. After a 40-year military career, he retired from the USAF as the Senior Advisor to the Surgeon General of the Military Air Command with the rank of colonel. Survivors include two children, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Dr. C.G. (Garth) Cline ’53 – C.G. (Garth) Cline, 97, passed away August 13, 2023. A U.S. Army Air Forces veteran, he attended Louisiana State University prior to earning his Auburn DVM. He later practiced veterinary medicine for many years in Shreveport, Louisiana, and finished his 60-year career working for the Louisiana State Racing Commission at Louisiana Downs. Survivors include two children, four grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Dr. Alfred J. Liepold ’55 – Alfred J. Liepold, 93, passed away April 28, 2023. He earned an M.S. from Michigan State University and a J.D. from American University in addition to his Auburn DVM. He later practiced veterinary medicine in several states and worked for the USDA for 35 years. Survivors include his wife, Mary, and three children.
Dr. Jack Lester Liggett, Jr. ’57 – Jack L. Liggett, Jr., 92, passed away July 21, 2023. He attended the University of Florida before receiving his DVM from Auburn, then operated veterinary practices for more than 60 years in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, Florida. Survivors include two children and a sister.
Dr. Billie A. Pennings ’58 – Billie A. Pennings, 101, passed away September 11, 2022. After growing up in Australia and attending the University of New Mexico, she held numerous jobs in the San Francisco, California, area at the beginning of World War II, including at Kodak processing V-Mail, in a lab at Kraft Foods and as the first woman hired by the National Weather Service to launch weather balloons. Driven by the desire to get back to her beloved Australia and to “do her bit” for the war, Billie attended Radio School and obtained her Radio Operator’s License. Unable to join the U.S. Merchant Marine, (women were not allowed), Billie joined the Norwegian Merchant Marine and served in Allied convoys, including sailing in the South Pacific to Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, for which she was recently awarded The Congressional Gold Medal. After the war, she joined the U.S. Merchant Marine and continued to serve on U.S.-flagged ships well into the 1950s, before earning her Auburn DVM as the only woman in the class of 1958. She proceeded to open one of the first cats-only practices in the U.S. and later founded the Cat Veterinary Clinic in Houston, Texas. After 40 years of practice, Billie retired to Galveston, Texas, and served on the Boards of the Seafarer’s Center of Galveston and the Galveston-Texas City Pilots. Survivors include four children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Dr. Frank R. Gutteridge, Sr. ’60 – Frank R. Gutteridge, Sr., 90, passed away May 29, 2023. He served two years in Japan during the Korean War before earning his Auburn DVM, then had a very successful practice for more than 35 years. Survivors include his wife, Bud, three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Dr. James R. Isbell ’60 – James R. Isbell, 87, passed away on August 9, 2023. He served in the U. S. Air Force as a Captain before taking over his family’s Isbell Animal Clinic due to his father’s death. He later served as president of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association and continued to operate the clinic up until his death. Survivors include three children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Dr. Irven Roland
COOPER
Irven Roland Cooper, Jr. ’44, 100, passed away November 29, 2022. He followed his father’s example, both earning their DVMs from Auburn and serving in the U.S. Army, where he saw duty in World War II, Korea and Vietnam in a military career encompassing 33 years. During World War II, he was a New York-based food inspector whose work included inspecting the famous Queen Mary, known as the “Grey Ghost” during the war when she served as a troop transport carrying thousands of American and Canadian soldiers safely to Britain. He later moved to Ridgeland, South Carolina, where he started a private veterinary practice.
Survivors include his wife, Helen, two sons, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Dr. Jay Merrill
HUMBURG
Jay Merrill Humburg, 89, passed away February 3, 2023. After earning his DVM from Kansas State University, he practiced large animal medicine for several years in Broken Bow, Nebraska. He later joined a Kansas State project with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Nigeria, where he worked for five years to aid in the establishment of a veterinary school.
Following his work in Africa, he joined the Auburn CVM faculty for a 27-year career as a professor of large animal surgery and medicine.
After retiring from Auburn, Dr. Humburg moved to the Caribbean island of Grenada, where he was instrumental in helping to develop the veterinary school at St. George’s University. Upon his retirement there, he was awarded the title of Distinguished Professor of Grenada. He served as a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners and American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, also serving a term as president of the latter.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret, two children, a sister and a grandson.
Dr. Ram Chandra
PUROHIT
Ram Chandra Purohit ’74, 83, passed away on June 5, 2022. After earning his BVSc and AH degrees from The University of Rajasthan, India, he did post-graduate work at Washington State University in reproductive physiology. He then completed a Ph.D. at Auburn and joined the CVM faculty, first as an instructor before eventually being promoted to full professor later in his career. He also earned an M.S degree at Tuskegee University. Dr. Purohit was board-certified by the American College of Theriogenology and held specialty board certification by the American Board of Thermology and the American Academy of Thermology. He also served as a Distinguished Graduate Faculty Lecturer at Auburn.
The majority of Dr. Purohit’s instruction was in large animal clinical rotations focusing on anesthesia of horses and food animals. His teaching interests included anesthesia intensive care, pharmacology, thermography and cardiovascular physiology. His research interests included thermal imaging, neurovascular thermography and thermology of skin dermatomes.
An Alumni Professor from 1995 until 2000, Dr. Purohit served on the CVM faculty for 32 years as a teacher, clinician, researcher and ambassador at the national and international level. His expertise was sought by organizations around the world and the permanent faculty of the college of veterinary medicine awarded him Professor Emeritus at the end of his career.
Survivors include his wife Cynthia, three children, two sisters, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dr. James A. Neville IV ’61 – James A. Neville IV, 86, passed away September 16, 2022. After earning his Auburn DVM, he served in the U. S. Army, then settled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he started a veterinary hospital in Northport. He also worked at the University of Alabama in the Microbiology Department and retired from UA in 2003. Survivors include three children, two stepchildren, six grandchildren and a brother.
Dr. William “Bill” Bone IV ’62 – William “Bill” Bone IV, 89, passed away June 10, 2023. He served as a U.S. Navy radio operator during the Korean War, then returned home to attend Murray State University and earn his Auburn DVM. He then worked as an intern at Animal Medical Center in New York City, before later moving to Seminole, Florida, where he opened Midway Animal Hospital. Years later, after selling his practice, he returned home to Kentucky. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, two children, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a brother.
Dr. Owen W. Hester ’62 – Owen W. Hester, 86, passed away June 3, 2023. He was the Federal Area Veterinarian in Charge from 1990 until his retirement in 2008. He also served as president/director of the Alabama Quarter Horse Breeders Association, Alabama Hereford Breeder’s Association, Alabama Purebred Breeders Council, National Association of Federal Veterinarians and was in the house of delegates of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Survivors include his wife, Paula, two children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dr. Mabon (Bud) E. Pugh ’62 – Mabon (Bud) E. Pugh, 95, passed away December 4, 2022. After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea, he earned both his bachelor’s and DVM degrees from Auburn. He later opened Airport Animal Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, and was the first veterinarian for the Gulf Breeze Zoo, where he spent many hours caring for exotic animals while at the same time tending to his own practice. Survivors include his wife, Marne, four children, 11 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Dr. Lewis C. Gore ’63 – Lewis C. Gore, 85, passed away January 6, 2023. He attended Campbellsville University and the University of Kentucky before earning his DVM from Auburn. He later established Elizabethtown Animal Hospital in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where he practiced for more than 40 years. After his retirement, he continued to provide veterinary relief work for many more years. Survivors include his wife, Jana, four children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Dr. Jimmy L. Stanford ’64 – Jimmy L. Stanford passed away November 30, 2022. He attended the University of Tennessee before earning his Auburn DVM, then served in the U.S. Air Force for three years. He later founded six veterinary hospitals throughout the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area beginning with Ashland Terrace Animal Hospital. He was recognized as Practitioner of the Year
by the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association and served in numerous roles, including president, in the Hamilton County Veterinary Medical Association. Survivors include his wife, Judy, three children, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two sisters.
Dr. Carole Congleton Ludwig ’65 – Carole Congleton Ludwig, 82, passed away August 22, 2023. After earning her Auburn DVM, she founded three practices, with the most recent being The
Vet at Blue Ridge in Watkinsville, Georgia. Survivors include her life partner, Mark, two sons, eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Dr. Harry C. King ’67 – Harry C. King, 81, passed away on September 8, 2022. He attended the University of Florida prior to earning his Auburn DVM, then joined the Air Force after veterinary school and was stationed at RAF Lakenheath (England) for four years. After his active-duty service, he moved to Las Vegas and started his veterinary practice at St. Francis Animal Hospital. He later retired from practice at Legacy Animal Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Ann, three children, four grandchildren and a sister.
Dr. Lawrence E. Mehr ’67 – Lawrence E. Mehr, 82, passed away February 21, 2023. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, he began practicing in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, after earning his Auburn DVM. He then moved to Longview, Texas, to work for Blackwatch Farms, an investment tax shelter dealing in angus beef cattle. He later moved to Pettit Jean Mountain in Arkansas to work at Winrock Farms, then moved to the Memphis, Tennessee, area, where he established a large animal practice that lasted until his death. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Survivors include his wife, Donna, a daughter, two grandchildren and two brothers.
Dr. Richard W. Green, Sr. ’68 – Richard W. Green, Sr., 82, passed away January 18, 2023. A U.S. Navy veteran, he practiced veterinary medicine in the Montgomery, Alabama, area for more than 40 years. Survivors include five children and 11 grandchildren.
Dr. James G. Heil ’69 – James G. Heil, 80, passed away September 17, 2022. James was a well-known veterinarian in Baldwin County for more than 50 years. Survivors include three children, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great- grandchild and four brothers.
Dr. Thomas M. Ellis ’70 – Thomas M. Ellis, 79, passed away December 25, 2022. After earning his Auburn DVM, he worked at Vestavia Animal Clinic before he opened and ran his own veterinary clinic in Irondale, Alabama, for eight years. He then served in the U.S. Army as a veterinarian officer for two years, stationed at Fort Sam, Houston, Texas. After his service, he joined the USDA, based in North Mississippi, as a veterinarian for 31 years. Survivors include his wife, Sue, three children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Dr. Danny F. King ’70 – Danny F. King, 77, passed away July 10, 2023. He completed his pre-veterinary studies at the University of Tennessee before earning his DVM at Auburn. Afterwards, he established Bellevue Animal Hospital, where he practiced until his retirement in 2018. Danny was also a founding veterinarian of the Nashville Pet Emergency Center. Survivors include two daughters, five grandchildren, a brother and a sister.
Dr. John H. McNair ’71 – John H. McNair, 77, passed away February 12, 2023. A graduate of Mississippi State University, he earned his Auburn DVM before practicing in Nashville, Tennessee, for several years. He later moved back to Mississippi, where he worked with the Mississippi Department of Transportation—first with the Transportation Commission and later in the Planning Division—during a 25-year career. Survivors include three siblings.
Dr. Elton Mac Huddleston, Jr. ’73 – Elton Mac Huddleston, Jr., 79, passed away August 27, 2023. He attended Mississippi State University, then served in the U. S. Army, flying helicopters in Vietnam and later as a flight instructor. He held the rank of captain and was recipient of the Bronze Star and Distinguished Flying Cross, among other awards. After his military service, he earned his DVM from Auburn and worked as a veterinarian in north Mississippi, including Pontotoc. He later worked for several years for his alma mater, Mississippi State, in both the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Division of Development, before eventually settling back in Pontotoc, where he worked for many years as a large animal veterinarian and was executive secretary of the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association and Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine. Later in his career, he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives. Survivors include his wife, Flavia, four children and four grandchildren.
Dr. Gerald D. Manley ’74 – Gerald D. Manley, 80, passed away February 20, 2023. He attended Western Kentucky University, then served with the U.S. Navy as a Supply Corps officer, where he was assigned to the USS Boxer and, during his four years, served two tours of duty to Vietnam. After leaving the Navy, he returned to WKU, where he earned a master’s in biology before earning his Auburn DVM. He first practiced veterinary medicine in Belle Glade, Florida, before later opening Umatilla Animal Hospital. He also used his skill as a pilot to fly medical missions with Angel Flight Soars and Angel Flight Southeast, where he was recognized as Pilot of the Year multiple times. Survivors include his wife, Kristin, two children, two grandchildren, a sister and two brothers.
Dr. Danny Edward Moore ’75 – Danny E. Moore, 74, passed away September 17, 2022. He attended the University of Kentucky before earning his Auburn DVM. After graduation, he began his career in Shelbyville, Kentucky, before returning to Louisville to open Moore Veterinary Clinic. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis, two children, four stepchildren, ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a sister.
Dr. Gerrie C. Barr ’77 – Gerrie C. Barr, 71, passed away December 19, 2022. He was the creator, executive director and veterinarian of Zoo World in Panama City Beach, Florida, and also owner of Vets Pets in Panama City Beach and Freeport Pet Clinic in Freeport. Survivors include his wife, Pam, two daughters, two grandchildren and a brother.
Dr. John R. Sonne ’79 – John R. Sonne, 76, passed away August 15, 2023. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, he attended the University of Kentucky before earning his Auburn DVM. After graduation, he practiced at the Central Kentucky Animal Clinic in Bardstown, Kentucky, then later joined the USDA in Lubbock, Texas, where he worked until retirement. Survivors include his wife, Libby, a daughter, two stepsons, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a brother.
Dr. Donald W. Whitener ’83 – Donald W. Whitener, 67, passed away June 29, 2023. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s at North Carolina State University before earning his Auburn DVM and later founding Conover Veterinary Hospital in Conover, North Carolina. He was a member of many professional and service organizations including the North Carolina VMA, American Veterinary Medical Association and Association of Shelter Veterinarians. Survivors include his wife, Sharon, and three daughters.
Dr. Ronald C. Case ’86 – Ronald C. Case, 62, passed away September 17, 2022. He earned both his undergraduate and DVM degrees at Auburn. He was later owner of Main Street Animal Hospital in Bartow, Florida. Survivors include his wife, Yvonne, parents and a brother.
Dr. Bryan A. Murphy ’88 – Bryan A. Murphy, 66, passed away June 30, 2023. He attended the University of Florida before earning his Auburn DVM, then moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where he opened Murphy Veterinary Hospital. He later moved to Opelika, Alabama, where he continued practicing veterinary medicine at various clinics in the Auburn area including Crawford Road Animal Hospital in Phenix City, Alabama, which he eventually bought and continued to grow. His passion for veterinary medicine included mentoring many veterinary students over the years. Survivors include his wife, Debbie, two daughters, five grandchildren, three brothers and his mother.
Dr. Richard K. Vance ’88 – Richard K. Vance, 59, passed away October 14, 2022. He attended Western Kentucky University prior to earning his Auburn DVM. He was a member of a number of professional organizations, including the Hart County Cattlemen’s Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and the Society of Theriogenology. Survivors include his partner, Melody, a daughter, his mother and a brother.
Dr. Joshua M. Hatkin ’92 – Joshua M. Hatkin, 76, passed away January 19, 2023. He earned his DVM from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in microbiology from Auburn, then spent the majority of his working years as an avian pathologist and microbiologist in Mississippi, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Later, he was active with Town Cats of Ocean City, volunteering as their veterinarian. He also served in both the Army and Air National Guard as a veterinarian and public health officer, retiring after 20 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Janet, a daughter, two grandchildren and a sister.
Dr. Steven D. Crews ’95 – Steven D. Crews, 54, passed away May 4, 2023. He attended the University of Tennessee-Martin before earning his Auburn DVM. Survivors include his wife, Lisa, two daughters and a sister.
Dr. Jody H. Wagner ’02 – Jody H. Wagner, 46, passed away August 8, 2023. After earning his Auburn DVM, he joined the Coosa Valley Equine Center in Pell City, Alabama, where he was a veterinarian and chief surgeon. Survivors include his wife, Erica, two children, parents and a brother.
Dr. Vitaly
VODYANOY
Vitaly Vodyanoy, 81, passed away January 28, 2023. He graduated from Moscow Physical Engineering Institute, USSR, with a master’s in physics and later earned a Ph.D. in biophysics from the Agrophysical Research Institute in Leningrad, USSR. After graduating, he served on the faculty of the USSR Academy of Sciences for several years until he emigrated to the United States.
n America, he held positions as a Senior Research Scientist at New York University and
a Research Associate at the University of California, Irvine, before joining the Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology department at Auburn, where he made his home for the remainder of his career as an accomplished Alumni Professor, training 59 Ph.D. and M.S. students and eight postdoctoral fellows throughout his tenure. He also published more than 140 refereed publications and 13 book chapters, had 11 patents commercialized and had three commercial products marketed.
Dr. Vodyanoy was a National Academy of Inventors Fellow as well as the recipient of the Distinguished Fellow Medal by the National Academy of Inventors. He invented the high-resolution microscope Cytoviva, the simultaneous observation of darkfield images and fluorescence using filters and diaphragms, processes for isolating protein nucleation centers from a biological sample, methods for detecting misfolded proteins in biological samples and an apparatus and method for measurement of the aerodynamics of olfaction in animals and humans.
His exceptional accomplishments were recognized by his peers and evident in the many awards and honors he received, including the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence, Auburn Creative Research Award, Auburn Distinguished Graduate Faculty Lectureship, Auburn Alumni Professorship, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship Award, B.F. Hoerlein Research Award, and finally, the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.
His wife, Galina, preceded him in death. Survivors included two children.