Paul E. McCune, ’85 DVM, Cedar Lake, Ind., died March 24 at 59. After veterinary school, McCune moved to Indiana where he started the Illiana Equine Clinic. He is survived by his wife, Debbie McCune, and two children.

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. 

Ronald D. Ferguson, ’64 DVM, Austin, Minn., died May 10, 2019, at 79. Ferguson practiced veterinary medicine for over 50 years, and enjoyed building connections with his many patients and their owners. He is survived by his wife, Sherri Ferguson; 3 children; and 5 grandchildren.

Ronald B. Hass, ’61 DVM, Milaca, Minn., died May 2, 2019, at 82. Hass practiced veterinary medicine in Milaca for 41 years. His favorite part of veterinary medicine was working with farmers and their horses, which were his favorite animal.

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.

Robert J. Sigfrid,’60 DVM, Parkers Prairie, Minn., died June 21, 2019, at 91. Sigfrid was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy after graduating high school. After achieving his DVM, Sigfrid worked as a veterinarian for the United States Department of Agriculture, both nationally and overseas. Sigfrid’s contributions to veterinary medicine included re-establishing bighorn sheep at Zion National Park, eradicating avian influenza in Lancaster, Penn., and eradicating brucellosis in a herd of Utah bison.

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.

Vernon A. Karli, ’56 DVM, Clive, Iowa, died May 30, 2019, at 94. Prior to graduating high school, Karli enlisted in the U.S. Navy, in which he served for six years. After attending veterinary school, Karli served as the sole veterinarian for the city of Mabel, Minn. He practiced there for 16 years before relocating to Waukon, Iowa, where he joined a multi-vet practice. Karli later worked for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food, Safety, and Inspection Center as Inspector-In-Charge.