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  • David Espeseth, ’64 DVM, died on February 3, 2024, at age 84. Espeseth joined the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and served two years, attaining the rank of captain. Upon completion of service, he went to work for USDA where he worked through the ranks to become director of the agency’s Center for Veterinary Biologics. He spent 33 years with the USDA before retiring. Espeseth is survived by his wife, four children, six grandchildren, and two brothers.

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  • Clarke Poad ’63 DVM, Combined Locks, Wis., died on Feb. 2, 2024, at age 93. Poad founded two veterinary practices, Appanasha Pet Clinic in Menasha, Wis., followed by the Animal Medical Center in Appleton. He is survived by his wife, his son, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, his mother-in-law, sisters- and brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

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  • Russell Wambeam, ’65 DVM, Laramie, Wy., died on July 18, 2023, at age 88. After graduating from veterinary school, he practiced in Minnesota before moving to Laramie and running a veterinary hospital for several decades. He also taught classes in Animal Care at the University of Wyoming. He is survived by four children, five grandchildren, two sisters, and a brother.

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  • Arnold “Arnie” Follstad, ’60 DVM, Red Wing, Minn, died on Aug. 25, 2023, at age 94. Follstad worked as a veterinarian for 34 years. Beginning his practice in 1960, he owned and operated a clinic in Ellendale, Minn. In 1968, he went into a partnership at Hiawatha Valley Veterinary Clinic where he worked until 1994. After, he continued working for the USDA in Faribault from 2004 until his retirement in 2009. He is survived by his wife, seven children, 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two nephews.

  • Paul Dettloff, ’67 DVM, Arcadia, Wis., died on July 7, 2023, at age 81. Dettloff founded Dr. Paul's Lab in 1996 and served as the staff veterinarian for Organic Valley from 2002-2019. In 2017 he was honored with Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association’s 50 Years of Veterinary Service Award. He is survived by his wife, five children, six grandchildren, a brother, a sister, and several nieces and nephews.

  • James Weege, ’69 DVM, Ocean Ridge, Fla., died on Oct. 20, 2022, at age 77. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his two sons; a stepson; a stepdaughter; a brother; a sister; and six grandchildren.

  • Kenneth Speltz, ’67 DVM, Lino Lakes, Minn., died on Feb. 15, 2023, at age 80. Speltz founded Skyline Veterinary Hospital in 1970 and continued to practice until his passing. He also served as a board member for the Affiliated Emergency Veterinarian Service for multiple years throughout his career. Speltz is survived by his wife, Jayne; four children; and 13 grandchildren.

  • Jerome Schmidt, ’65 DVM, Pulaski, Wis., died on Jan. 1, 2023, at age 86. After graduation, Schmidt established a veterinary practice in Edgar, Wis., and worked there until he retired in 1991. Called back to veterinary medicine, he began a small animal mobile practice and operated it until 2017. Schmidt is survived by his wife, Karen; three children; six grandchildren; a brother; two sisters; a sister-in-law; brother-in-law; and many nephews and nieces.

  • Kenneth H. Johnson, '60 DVM, '65 PhD, St. Anthony, Minn., died on Jan. 31, 2023, at age 86. Upon graduating from veterinary school, Johnson joined the UMN faculty and served as the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology chair from 1976 to 1983. He retired in 1998 after 33 years at the University and gaining prominence in conducting research in the field of amyloidosis as well as in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Johnson is survived by his wife, Jean; their two sons and daughter; and their grandson.