In Memoriam

Richard B. Hagle, D.V.M., passed away Feb. 21, 2018. He was born in Eureka on Dec. 12, 1935, to John and Lorraine Hagle, and grew up in Colusa, graduating from Colusa High School.

He enlisted in the Air Force upon graduation and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, serving in England. Upon discharge from military service, he enrolled in Yuba College where he was president of his class.

Dick received his D.V.M. in 1964 from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He initially practiced at Yolo Veterinary Clinic, then opened his own veterinary practice, Woodland Veterinary Hospital, in 1974.

Excerpt from the Class of 1952 Book of Memories, 2012:

After graduation from Veterinary School, I remained at UCD as an Assistant Veterinarian in the Experiment Station and a graduate student in Comparative Pathology. I completed studies for the PhD degree in June 1954.

In July 1954, I was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Parasitology in the School of Veterinary Medicine and as an Assistant Veterinarian in the Experiment Station. Promotions to Associate and Full Professor were attained in the following years.

My teaching and service roles within the University involved introductory and clinical parasitology. As part of the latter, I was responsible for developing the parasitology diagnostic service at the VMTH. This service also carried the responsibility for consulting with the VMTH clinicians, practitioners, farm advisers and the public at large.

During my years with the University, I was fortunate to serve as major professor and/or adviser to several graduate students who have distinguished themselves in other universities, commercial pharmaceutical companies and in other nations.

As a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, charter member of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, a member of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology, and co-founder with Clarence Weinmann of UCB, of the Northern California Parasitologists, I have had the opportunity to participate in many programs and committees concerned with academic and clinical parasitology. I have especially enjoyed participating at local meetings of veterinary practitioners, farm adviser organized meetings and in other contacts with the world outside the University.

Following what I considered a successful and rewarding career, I retired in December 1988.

In retirement, I have divided my time between a residence in Garden City, Utah, where I live from May to November and Dixon, California, where I live the remainder of the year. My activities are now largely devoted to enjoyment of the outdoors and especially to fishing in both Utah and California.

“The decision to become a veterinarian came during my last two summers in high school. At that time, I had been working on a Charolais cattle ranch in the Imperial Valley at $.50 per hour. I owned a horse and played cowboy riding and roping cattle. My dream was to own a cattle ranch someday. I had been thinking about U.C. Davis and animal husbandry. One day, an old cowboy roping buddy said to me, “Why don’t you become a veterinarian?” And so, I applied and was accepted."

Dr. Alpers was born in Portola, CA on Valentine's Day and died October 8, 2015 in Oakdale, CA.  He was raised on a dairy in Valley Home, graduated from Valley Home Elementary School and Oakdale High School. Jack went on to graduate with a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of California at Davis. At the time, Dr.  Alpers was the youngest student to be accepted into the veterinary program.

With the passing of Dr. Mardy Darian a unique and irreplaceable personality who was preoccupied with plants was lost. I had always been interested in growing plants. But until I met a few true plant fanatics, I never realized where this passion would or could lead. Mardy was one of them. Early on I became aware of a legend in discovering and growing rare tropical plants in my Southern California Mediterranean climate. Mardy Darian was an obsessed recluse of sorts. Living in a location where even a remote glimpse of his 3 acre garden was next to impossible, I would hear about his exploits and occasionally run across an exotic plant in someone’s garden who would explain it was from Darian’s collection – discovered in the jungle of some far away land.

We are deeply saddened to share that Dr. Scott Sims of Aloha Vet passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Long before his show premiered, Dr. Scott was already famous and deeply valued in the hearts of many on the island of Kauai because of his zest for life and selfless compassion for animals. He is a treasured member of the Nat Geo WILD family and will be forever missed. Our only consolation is that we got to share his incredible talent and humanity with the world, if just for one season.  

Arthur Dean Jennison was born to Irma Louise Moser and Gerald Freeman Jennison in Latham, Missouri. He attended local schools, graduating from Tipton High School in 1956. He was encouraged to come to California by his Uncle Howard and quickly joined a group of friends who went on the great youth adventure of the 50's; driving to California on Route 66. Dean loved everything about California; Its diversity of cultures, vast opportunity, natural beauty, beaches, and year-round sunshine. By summer's end, the friends returned to their families in Missouri, but Dean stayed in California, met and married his wife, Cathy (Redigonda) and had a son Marco.

Larry Charles Kidwell was born in 1935 in South San Francisco to immigrant Italian parents. His mother Josephine and his grandmother Mary whom he called Nona, raised him practically themselves. He would spend teenage Summers traveling to Eureka, California to work on his uncle’s ranch and dairy farm which is where he gained an affinity for animal care. In his own words: “I was 13 years old when I decided to become a veterinarian. Our farm had regular veterinary visits so the veterinarians became my heroes. What a way to grow up – surrounded by cows, sheep, pigs & chickens – having my own quarter horse Smokey to herd cattle – and delivering calves, lambs and foals… so this profession is a DREAM COME TRUE.”

Doc was not a man who let life happen to him. He lived each day to the fullest, going through life full speed ahead.  He had a love for animals, especially horses, cattle, and dogs. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and the great outdoors. Doc greatly loved and was loyally devoted to his family and friends. He attended U.C. Davis, where he received his degree in veterinary medicine. Doc went on to practice both large and small animal veterinary medicine, eventually opening his own business, Sylvan Veterinary Clinic, in Modesto, California. In 1989 he sold his large animal practice, continuing with his small animal practice and treating a few horses.

Dr. Byars received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California at Davis. He authored more than 75 articles in professional publications and trade journals. Dr. Byars received many honors and awards during his career. He was the first private equine practitioner to receive the Kirk Award, presented by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and given for professional excellence. The award citied him as "a pioneer, a visionary, and an important voice for veterinary medicine, particularly equine medicine and the horse industry, who opened the door for many in equine practice today."