Oscar Hildenbrandt, ’58 DVM, Tomahawk, Wis., died on Nov. 7, 2023, at age 89. He started the Medford Veterinary Clinic and operated the clinic until his retirement in 1990. Hildenbrandt is survived by his wife, Mary; his two sons; his daughter; and four grandchildren. 

Floyd "Doc" Ralph Garrett, Jr., ’67 DVM, ’81 MPH, Taft, Texas, died on Jan. 14, 2024, at age 85. Recruited by the USDA, Garrett worked as an enforcement officer in animal health in New Orleans. He later purchased Flour Bluff Animal Hospital and Island Animal Clinic in Port Aransas, Texas. Garrett also led low-cost vaccination clinics and in his semi-retirement, he served as a relief veterinarian. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; three children; and three grandchildren.

Terry Christensen, ’82 DVM, Maple Grove, Minn., died on Feb. 11, 2024, at age 68. He practiced veterinary medicine for 36 years. In 2000, he started At Home Vet Care, providing veterinary care for dogs and cats in their home environment. He is survived by his wife, Teresa; his brother; his sister; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Gerald "Jerry" Lahmers, ’63 DVM, Elk River, Minn., died Dec. 17, 2023, at age 91. Lahmers opened his own veterinary practice In Eyota. He and his family later moved to Melrose and Lahmers joined the Melrose Veterinary Clinic. Lahmers is survived by his children, Bob, Victoria, and Eric, and grandchildren, Maya, Max, and Leah.

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.

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.

Byron Sugden, ’71 DVM, Effie, Minn. died on Jan. 24, 2024. He was a lifetime member of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.

Virgil Voigt, ’73 DVM, Hutchinson, Minn., died on Dec. 25, 2023, at age 83. Voigt moved to Hutchinson and joined the Hutchinson-Stewart Veterinary Clinic. There, he practiced large and small animal medicine for 20 years. Then, he opened Crow River Veterinary Clinic and focused on small animal treatment for the remaining 20 years of his career. He is survived by his wife, four children, seven grandchildren, two sisters, and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Jerome McGraw, ’71 DVM, died on December 23, 2023.