Arun Bahl, ’75 DVM, Cornelius, N.C., died on October 15, 2019, at 73. Bahl founded and served as president of Bahl Farms/Consulting Inc.

Debra Nielsen, ‘86 VMD, passed away at the age of 63 in Richfield, MN. She graduated valedictorian of her class. A lifelong animal lover, she went on to become a compassionate veterinarian. Survived by husband Dr. Alan Russell; daughter Dr. Cori Russell; son-in-law Matthew Lacki; grandson, Wesley Alan Wilder; mother, Betty Ritchie; niece, Janelle Nielsen.

Jay Heezen, ‘68 VMD, passed away on August 6, 2020. After graduation, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corp and served from 1968 to 1970. He started a veterinary practice outside Plankinton, SD and practiced in the area for 35 years. Jay retired from full-time veterinary practice in 2006 and enjoyed his retirement in Keystone, SD. Jay is survived by two sons, Jason (Angie) Heezen of Plankinton, and Jon Heezen of Hadley, MN; a daughter, Jennifer (Bob) Hammond of Rapid City, and seven grandchildren.

Richard Carlson, ‘54 BA ‘58 DVM, ‘66 MD, ‘91 MBA, passed away on July 17, 2020 at Family Life Memory Care in Nampa, ID after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. After practicing as a veterinarian for several years, he went back to medical school, earning his MD degree from the University of Minnesota in 1966. Then later he earned an MBA degree from Eastern University near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1991. He also envisioned and co-founded the Evergreen Surgical Center in Kirkland, Washington. Dick is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lois Carlson, his two daughters, LuAnn Carlson, and Marcy Carlson (Tim Smeeding), and a grandson.

Richard Carlson, ‘54 BA ‘58 DVM, ‘66 MD, ‘91 MBA, passed away on July 17, 2020 at Family Life Memory Care in Nampa, ID after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. After practicing as a veterinarian for several years, he went back to medical school, earning his MD degree from the University of Minnesota in 1966. Then later he earned an MBA degree from Eastern University near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1991. He also envisioned and co-founded the Evergreen Surgical Center in Kirkland, Washington. Dick is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lois Carlson, his two daughters, LuAnn Carlson, and Marcy Carlson (Tim Smeeding), and a grandson.

Richard Carlson, ‘54 BA ‘58 DVM, ‘66 MD, ‘91 MBA, passed away on July 17, 2020 at Family Life Memory Care in Nampa, ID after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. After practicing as a veterinarian for several years, he went back to medical school, earning his MD degree from the University of Minnesota in 1966. Then later he earned an MBA degree from Eastern University near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1991. He also envisioned and co-founded the Evergreen Surgical Center in Kirkland, Washington. Dick is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lois Carlson, his two daughters, LuAnn Carlson, and Marcy Carlson (Tim Smeeding), and a grandson.

Wendell Peden, ’53 DVM, San Antonio, Tex., died June 23, 2020 at 94. Prior to receiving his DVM, Peden served in the U.S. Army as 2nd Lieutenant in the Army of Occupation in Japan. He went on to co-found Black Hills Animal Hospital with fellow CVM alum George Twitero, DVM. Peden was especially interested in bovine and bison genetics, and was the proud owner of a genetically pure bison herd. He was very active in the veterinary community as a Life Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association, of which he was the President for a year. Peden also won the Veterinarian of the Year Award in 1978. He is survived by four children; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Joe Poindexter, ’66 DVM, Ree Heights, S. Dak., died June 26, 2020 at 78. Poindexter’s love for animals started at a young age on his family’s ranch, where he eventually went on to raise his own family. His favorite part of veterinary medicine was getting to work with and learn from all of his clients. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; five children; and many grandchildren. 

Steven Cassel, ’74 DVM, Post Falls, Id., died May 8, 2020 at 70. Cassel grew up on a large family farm that instilled in him a passion for the outdoors, fishing, and hunting. He is survived by two brothers and a sister.