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

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  • 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.

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

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  • William Clauson, ’70 DVM, Brainerd, Minn., died on Sept. 10, 2023, at age 78. Clauson started his veterinary career working for the Slayton Veterinary Clinic in Slayton, Minn. He is survived by his wife, a sister, three stepdaughters, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and several 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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  • Wayne Sletten, ’56 DVM, Rapid City, S.D. died on Aug. 21, 2023, at age 90. Sletten and his wife, Karen, moved to Faith, S.D., where they began the Faith Veterinary Service practice and raised their five children. His business flourished and his practice spanned over 50 years. He also served as president of the South Dakota Veterinarian Association. Sletten is survived by his wife, five children, 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and his sister and brother-in-law.

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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.