A love of animals and nature shaped Dr. David Polzin and his career aspirations from a young age. Growing up in Chicago, his father’s work as a racehorse sports writer and his family home’s proximity to the Brookfield Zoo and a nature preserve would inspire Polzin to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Over the course of his four-decade academic career at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Polzin established himself as an authority on understanding and treating kidney and urinary tract diseases in animals. It’s an impact celebrated in the wake of his recent passing. Polzin died on Sept. 25, 2024, at age 72. 

“His loss will be felt deeply by the veterinary community, colleagues, students, and the countless animal lives he improved through his research and clinical work,” says CVM Dean Dr. Laura Molgaard. “Dr. Polzin leaves behind a legacy of dedication, compassion, and groundbreaking contributions to veterinary medicine.”

Polzin received his veterinary degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1975, and his passion for internal medicine led him to complete an internship in the specialty at the University of Georgia that same year. 

Then he was off to the CVM for a residency and later earned a PhD from the college in 1981. Starting his academic career as a research associate at the college, he rose up to become a full professor in 1994.

As a professor at CVM, Polzin shared his vast knowledge with generations of students, teaching about diseases and the physiology of the kidney as well as urinary tract infections. His research made significant contributions to the field, particularly in chronic kidney disease, glomerulopathies, acid-base balance disorders, and the treatment of urinary tract infections and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. 

His clinical interests focused on nephrology, hypertension, and diseases of the lower urinary tract. Dr. Polzin was also a prolific author, publishing numerous scientific articles. He was the co-editor, alongside Dr. Joseph Bartges, of the highly regarded manual “Nephrology and Urology of Small Animals,” a seminal work in the field. He also authored or co-authored more than 75 journal articles and wrote hundreds of book chapters, reviews, and presentations. He was also a long-term teacher of DVM students and advised numerous graduate students and residents. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Polzin was an active member of numerous professional organizations. He was a founding member of the International Renal Interest Society and a member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology, the International Society of Nephrology, and the National Kidney Foundation. His involvement in these organizations reflected his lifelong commitment to staying at the forefront of veterinary nephrology.

He retired from the College in 2021 with the honor of professor emeritus. 

Polzin is survived by his wife, Brenda; his daughters, Kelsey, Cathy, and Christine; sons, Elliot and Brian; his brother, Chris; and eight grandchildren.