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  • Kermit M. Lyngaas, ’64 DVM, Detroit Lakes, Minn., died June 30, 2019 at 79. 

  • Michael J. Rassmussen, ’64 DVM, Boyceville, Wis., died March 22, 2019 at 79. He is survived by his wife, Janice Rasmussen; two sisters, Ruth Donahue and Loraine Schoen; five children; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

  • Richard A. Higgins, ’63 DVM, Oshkosh, Wis., died June 19, 2016. 

  • Wayne G. Benstead, ’62 DVM, Delavan, Wis., died August 10, 2019 at 86. Benstead started his own veterinary practice, Delavan Small Animal Clinic, where he practiced until he retired. He is survived by his sister, Vivian Seuser; three children; and seven grandchildren. 

  • Samuel Kumar, ’61 DVM, Frisco, Tex., died August 31, 2016 at 80. 

  • Richard J. Nolden, ’56 DVM, Detroit Lakes, Minn., died August 2, 2019 at 86. When he wasn’t practicing veterinary medicine, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing golf. He is survived by his sister, Sidney Ann Helmer; three children; and eight grandchildren.

  • Roger Pitts, ’79 DVM, Duluth, Minn., died June 5, 2020 at 72. Prior to receiving his DVM, Pitts served in the United States Air Force from 1968-72. Pitts found a passion for teaching the upcoming generation of veterinarians at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, before moving to Denver, Co., and becoming the first board certified internist in private practice in the city. He then moved to Duluth, Minn., where he started a veterinary referral clinic and volunteered his veterinary services to Animal Allies Humane Society. He is survived by his wife, Anne Bernauer. 

  • Kari Searcy, ’12 DVM, Elko New Market, Minn., died May 25, 2020 at 33. Searcy was passionate about horses, and spent a year interning in Seattle, Wa., working primarily in equine medicine. Afterwards she went on to work in private practice in Prior Lake, Minn. She is survived by her parents, Randy and Barb Searcy; and brother, Ryan Searcy. 

  • Milton L. Pietz, ’53 DVM, Ankeny, Iowa, died May 6, 2020 at 93. After receiving his DVM, Pietz worked in private practice as well as in federal meat inspection. He is survived by his four children; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.