Howard J Cook, '52 DVM, Dousman, Wis., passed away on June 14, 2018, at 93. After graduating from the CVM, Cook became a partner at the Waukesha Animal Hospital, specializing in the care for horses and cows. He also cared for animals at the Milwaukee County Zoo and developed the Human Animal Welfare Society's first shelter in Waukesha, Wis. Cook is survived by his daughter, Patricia; 5 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; three great-grandsons; and 3 step great-granchildren.

Alvin F. Weber, DVM, MS, PhD, St. Paul, Minn., died December 29, 2019, at 101. Weber joined the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) faculty in 1949 and helped found the college in its infancy. He was a research and teaching faculty member for more than 60 years. His research interests included cytology, ultrastructure, and cytogenetics as related to the reproductive and hematopoietic systems. His work was peer-reviewed and published more than 60 times. 

Weber was born in Hartford, Wis., on March 13, 1918. He completed his bachelor of arts (1941), Master of Science (1946), and PhD (1949) at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He received his DVM from Iowa State University in Ames in 1944. Weber and his colleagues were among the first in the US to use antibiotics to treat bovine mastitis. 

Weber was an instructor at the University of Wisconsin until moving to the University of Minnesota to take an assistant professor of anatomy position. He later rose to become a professor and the head of the Department of Anatomy at the CVM. In 1988, Weber was named professor emeritus at the CVM, but continued to conduct part-time diagnostic research. 

Weber served as president of the American Association of Veterinary Anatomists in 1957, national president of Phi Zeta (1959-1961); secretary-treasurer (1960-65), vice president (1986-88), and president (1987-88) of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease; secretary (1971-75) and president (1975-79) of the World Association of Veterinary Anatomists; and program chairman of the World Veterinary Congress through the World Association of Veterinary Anatomists in 1979. He was a special research fellow for NIH from 1959–1960 and again from 1971–1972. He attained a World Health Organization Travel Fellowship for Leukemia Studies in 1974. In 1989, he received the Achievement Award from the American Association of Veterinary Anatomists. 

Weber is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth; son Thomas; and friend Hazel. He is preceded in death by his son William and wife, Eleanor. 

Edward F. Jankus, ’59 DVM, Chicago, Ill., died September 29, 2019 at 89. Jankus attended veterinary school after serving in the US Army during the Korean War. After working in private practice for two years, he went on to work at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine as an instructor of Veterinary Physiology. While teaching at the U, Jankus obtained his PhD and published multiple research studies. He is survived by his two sons.

Wendell H. Nieman, ’57 DVM, Tucson, Ariz., died August 13, 2019 at 86. After veterinary school Nieman was drafted into the military, where he reached the rank of captain. He then began working in medical research, a career that included working with NASA on Project Mercury, which sent primates into orbit. He is survived by his wife; three children; and four grandchildren.

Donald D. Johnson, ’54 DVM, Fridley, Minn., died September 4 at 89. Johnson was a veterinarian at Steele Animal Hospital in Northeast Minneapolis. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; his son, Tim; and four grandchildren.

Wendell H. Nieman, ’57 DVM, Tucson, Ariz., died August 13, 2019 at 86. After veterinary school Nieman was drafted into the military, where he reached the rank of captain. He then began working in medical research, a career that included working with NASA on Project Mercury, which sent primates into orbit. He is survived by his wife; three children; and four grandchildren. 

Gerald W. Peterson,’53 DVM, Belgrade, Minn., died May 18, 2019, at 91. Peterson served as the first alumni president for the CVM. He then went on to work in private practice, taking care of both large and small animals. Peterson later moved to California to work as a veterinarian in the poultry industry.

Robert F. Walser, ’54 DVM, Marquette, Mich., died July 12, 2019 at 91. After graduating high school, Walser enlisted in the U.S. Navy, in which he served for two years. Upon receiving his DVM, Walser moved to Iowa to start his own large animal practice, where he practiced for 39 years. Walser is survived by 4 children; 4 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

Col. Ret. Richard F. Dean,’58 DVM, Blue Earth, Minn., died June 13, 2019, at 88. After achieving his DVM, Dean enlisted in the U.S. Army in which he served for over 30 years. Dean worked his way through the ranks of the army, eventually reaching the rank of Colonel.