In Memory – July 18, 2024

Charles E. Brandner

Dr. Brandner (Colorado State '56), 93, Petaluma, California, died April 18, 2024. He owned Brandner Veterinary Hospital, a mixed animal practice in Petaluma, prior to retirement in 1992. Dr. Brandner is survived by two sons, two daughters, 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 1950, Dallas, TX 75251.

David I. Byers

Dr. Byers (Georgia '72), 77, Galax, Virginia, died February 17, 2024. Following graduation, he established a dairy practice in Galax. Dr. Byers also served as a dairy production consultant in the United States and abroad. A member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), he was a past member of the AABP Nutrition Committee and represented the AABP on the former AVMA Steering Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance. Dr. Byers is survived by his wife, Linda; two sons; five grandchildren and a step-grandchild; and two sisters and a brother. Memorials may be made to Galax-Grayson Emergency Medical Services, 305 W. Old Town, Galax, VA 24333, or Galax Fire Department, P.O. Box 147, Galax, VA 24333.

Floyd P. Hitchcock Jr.

Dr. Hitchcock (Cornell '61), 92, Marshfield, Wisconsin, died May 29, 2024. He owned Newstead Animal Hospital near Akron, New York. Dr. Hitchcock was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; two daughters and a son; eight grandchildren; and his great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Cornerstone Community Church Blueprints Building Campaign, 1417 W. McMillan St., Marshfield, WI 54449.

Marnie R. Hook

Dr. Hook (Georgia '65), 83, West Columbia, South Carolina, died March 3, 2024. He owned St. Andrews Animal Clinic, a small animal practice in Columbia, South Carolina, prior to retirement. Dr. Hook was a past member and a past treasurer of the South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. He was also a member of the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians (SCAV) and Greater Columbia Association of Veterinarians. In 2000, Dr. Hook was named SCAV Veterinarian of the Year. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served in the Air Force, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Hook's wife, Patricia; two sons and two daughters; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Pets Inc., 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170; or First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion St., Columbia, SC 29201.

Ira A. Linderman

Dr. Linderman (Cornell '75), 76, Commack, New York, died March 7, 2024. He practiced more than 25 years at Fort Hill Animal Hospital in Huntington, New York. Dr. Linderman also volunteered with the League for Animal Protection of Huntington and served on the animal advisory panel for the town. He is survived by his wife, Sheryl; two sons; three grandchildren; and a sister. A son, Dr. Michael Linderman (Cornell '06), and daughter-in-law, Dr. Heidi Barreiro-Linderman (Kansas State '13), are also veterinarians.

James A. Miyat

Dr. Miyat (Michigan State '60), 95, Nokomis, Florida, died June 5, 2024. Following graduation, he practiced a year in Kokomo, Indiana. Dr. Miyat subsequently joined Eli Lilly in Greenfield, Indiana, working for the company in veterinary research for more than 30 years. He retired in 1992. Dr. Miyat was a member of the Indiana VMA. He was a veteran of the Navy. Dr. Miya's wife, Joan; two sons and two daughters; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 220 Wexford Blvd., Venice, FL 34293.

Richard D. Montrey

Dr. Montrey (Missouri '64), 83, Chatham, Illinois, died February 14, 2024. From 1964-87, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps, attaining the rank of colonel. Dr. Montrey subsequently directed the division of laboratory animal medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois. He retired in 1999. Dr. Montrey was a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. His wife, Margie; three sons; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild survive him. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675, or Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111.

Paul L. Plummer

Dr. Plummer (Auburn '66), 83, Brentwood, Tennessee, died March 17, 2024. Following graduation, he practiced large animal medicine in Russellville, Kentucky. Dr. Plummer subsequently joined Hillsboro Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in Green Hills, Tennessee. He later became a partner in the practice.

Dr. Plummer is survived by his wife, Sonja; two sons; three grandchildren; and two sisters and a brother. Memorials may be made to Hope for the World, c/o Brentwood Baptist Church, 7777 Concord Road, Brentwood, TN 37027.

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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