Over his more than 40-year career in veterinary academia, Bert Stromberg left an indelible mark on the careers and lives of the students he taught and advised and by increasing our understanding of ruminant parasites. Professor Emeritus Stromberg passed away in early August at the age of 77 of complications from Multiple System Atrophy.

Bert was on the CVM faculty for 35 years, having been recruited from a faculty position at the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. He started as an associate professor in what is now the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, and was promoted to full professor in 1986. He served as acting Chair of the department from 1989 to 1993 and became faculty adviser in parasitology for the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in 2006. He served as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs in the College from 2000-2007.

His research focused on the epidemiology of ruminant parasites, specifically the development of resistance to antiparasitic compounds, an area in which he published extensively. He was engaged by most of the major animal health companies as a consultant and held leadership roles in professional organizations. Among his accomplishments, Bert was especially proud of his legacy of teaching parasitology to veterinary students; his work with the research program, particularly the CVM Clinical Investigation Center; and founding the Summer Scholars program. Now entering its second decade, the latter program offers first- and second-year veterinary students an opportunity to develop project proposals and to participate in research projects.

Following his retirement in 2014, Bert maintained his ties with the University as an emeritus professor by continuing to conduct research and mentoring a budding parasitologist, who has continued his legacy. For more on professor Stromberg’s career, please visit the VBS website.

Bert is remembered as a warm and generous colleague who made an enduring impact on so many students and colleagues. A celebration was held on Friday, August 27.