In Memory – July 4, 2024

Arthur B. Butterfield

Dr. Butterfield (Michigan State '60), 92, Colorado Springs, Colorado, died March 29, 2024. Following graduation, he practiced in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Dr. Butterfield later served on the faculties of Louisiana State University, Georgetown University, and the University of Louisville. During that time, he focused on laboratory animal medicine and biomedical research. Dr. Butterfield retired in 2001.

A co-founder of the Academy of Surgical Research, he was active with what is now known as the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. In 1996, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine honored him with a Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award. Dr. Butterfield served in the Navy during the Korean War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

His wife, Pamela; five daughters and two sons; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials, toward the Dr. Arthur B. and Mrs. Pamela D. Butterfield Endowment to Foster Appreciation for MSU and CVM, may be made to Michigan State University-University Development, 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824.

Erica M. Garza

Dr. Garza (Texas A&M '02), 48, Kyle, Texas, died May 21, 2024. She practiced at Ben White Animal Hospital in Austin, Texas, for 20 years. Active with the Rotary Club, Dr. Garza served as president of the South Austin Rotary Club and received several Rotary honors, including being named South Austin Rotarian of the Year and awarded the Paul Harris fellowship. Her husband, Landon Spillmann; her parents; and a sister and a brother survive her. Memorials may be made to the South Austin Rotary Club, 2507 Braemer Cove, Austin, TX 78747, or Doodle Dandy Rescue, 3609 Douglas Drive, Garland, TX 75041.

Donald K. Hinkle

Dr. Hinkle (Ohio State '60), 94, Raleigh, North Carolina, died May 8, 2024. Following graduation, he practiced in Wilmette, Illinois, before joining the Air Force Veterinary Corps during the Vietnam War. During his military service, Dr. Hinkle helped establish rabies diagnostic services and conducted arbovirus studies in Vietnam. He also conducted biomedical research at the former Naval Air Development Center in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Hinkle later transitioned to the United States Public Health Service and retired as a colonel. He went on to serve as director and clinical veterinarian at the Mannheimer Foundation in Homestead, Florida, consulted for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and did relief work in North Carolina. Dr. Hinkle was a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. He volunteered with the Christian Veterinary Mission and Habitat for Humanity and was active with the Kiwanis Club. Dr. Hinkle's wife, Patricia; a daughter; and two grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, or Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 97394, Washington, DC 20077.

William B. Luckemeyer

Dr. Luckemeyer (Minnesota '72), 77, Alexandria, Minnesota, died April 1, 2024. Following graduation, he joined Alexandria Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice. Dr. Luckemeyer subsequently became a partner in the practice. He is survived by his wife, Donna; two daughters; two grandchildren; and two sisters. Memorials may be made to St. Cloud Heart & Vascular Center, 1406 Sixth Ave. N., St. Cloud, MN 56303, or the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, 1365 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.

Nathalie A. Rubin

Dr. Rubin (St. Georges '05), 47, Leland, North Carolina, died April 8, 2024. Following graduation, she practiced in Maryland and North Carolina. In 2019, Dr. Rubin began teaching in the veterinary technology program at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina. Her mother survives her.

Gary A. Spragg

Dr. Spragg (Missouri '67), 80, Rogersville, Missouri, died January 27, 2024. Following graduation, he joined his father, Dr. Robert Spragg (Oklahoma State '58), in practice at Spragg Veterinary Clinic in Rogersville. Dr. Spragg subsequently served in the Army for a few years before rejoining Spragg Veterinary Clinic. He retired in 2023.

Dr. Spragg was a lifetime member of the Missouri VMA. He is survived by his wife, Dixie; a son and a daughter; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a brother. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Community Foundation of the Ozarks, with the memo line of the check notated to In Time of Need Foundation, and sent to CFO, Attn: Finance Department, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801.

Please report the death of a veterinarian promptly to the AVMA News staff via a toll-free phone call at 800-248-2862, ext. 6754; email at newsavma.org(news[at]avma[dot]org); or fax at 847-925-9329. For an obituary to be published, AVMA News must be notified within six months of the date of death.

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