Vet Cetera magazine 2015

Following the war, he earned his undergraduate
degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah,
Okla., then his DVM degree from OSU in 1955.
He practiced veterinary medicine in Pryor, Okla., for
one year before moving his mixed animal practice
to Claremore. He retired at age 50. A year later, he
became a meat inspector for the Oklahoma State
Department of Health and worked for 15 more years.
Dr. Cooper is survived by his son Dr. James Claude
Cooper Jr. and his wife, Kathy, of Fayetteville, Ark.;
two granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Will
Rogers Memorial, 1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore,
OK 74017.
SOURCE: CLAREMORE (OKLA.) DAILY PROGRESS
Dr. Virginia Copland
Dr. Virginia Sue Copland, of Juneau, Alaska, died July
25, 2015. She was 61.
Born in Duncan, Okla., she earned her DVM degree from
Oklahoma State University in 1980. Following graduation,
she worked in a veterinary clinic in Fairbanks,
Alaska, where she met and married her husband, Truman
Middleton. Dr. Copland then completed a threeyear
residency in anesthesiology and critical patient
care at the University of California, Davis.
Following a year in Australia, the couple returned to
Alaska in 1987 and established the Juneau Pet Clinic
(now Juneau Veterinary Hospital). They would fly their
Lake Amphibian plane to provide veterinary services
in the bush. In 1989, Copland was diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis. In 1991, she reluctantly retired
and in 1992, her husband died.
Dr. Copland was an accomplished pianist, choir singer,
English horn player, bush pilot, author, animal lover
and world traveler (Australia, New Zealand, China and
South Africa). In 1994, she met Louis Keller, and they
enjoyed 21 years together.
Dr. Copland is survived by Mr. Keller; his daughters
Debra (Ron) Woodbury; Christy (Greg) Gendron; two
grandchildren; her mother, Martha Copland; one
sister and two brothers; and many other relatives
and friends.
SOURCE: THE JUNEAU EMPIRE
Dr. Hollis Cox Sr.
Dr. Hollis Utah Cox Sr. of Midwest City, Okla., died
June 11, 2015. He was 71.
After graduating from Jacksonville (Ark.) High School,
he earned a DVM degree from Oklahoma State University
in 1967. He served in the Air Force in Panama
and Vietnam, attaining the rank of captain. In 1973,
Dr. Cox completed a doctorate in microbiology at Louisiana
State University, where he remained on faculty
as a professor of veterinary medicine and head
of the diagnostic laboratory until he retired in 2009.
An Eagle Scout, Dr. Cox remained active in the Boy
Scouts through troop leadership and membership in
the Order of the Arrow. He earned several awards
including the Vigil Honor, the OA Founder’s Award
and the Silver Beaver Award for Exemplary Service.
Dr. Cox is survived by his mother, Molinda Edline Cox;
his children, Lindy Crace, Chris Cox and Lauren Cox;
six grandchildren and many relatives and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the Boy Scouts
of America, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015 or
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2311 N. Central Ave.,
Suite 1200, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
SOURCE: THE OKLAHOMAN
Dr. Richard Dillman
Richard “Dick” E. Dillman, DVM, of Dunnellon, Fla.,
died Jan. 30, 2015, after bravely fighting a long
illness.
He was born in Ancon in the Panama Canal Zone
where his family lived and worked. He completed
junior college in the Canal Zone, then joined the U.S.
Army, where he served as a medic and competed
on the Army rifle team. In 1961, he earned his DVM
degree from Oklahoma State University.
After graduation, Dr. Dillman moved to Miami, Fla.,
and worked with established practices before opening
his Veterinary Small Animal Clinic in 1965. He
helped introduce inhalation anesthetic throughout the
Miami veterinary community. He is a past president
of the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association.
In the mid-1980s, he underwent several major back
surgeries, leaving him unable to continue his veterinary
practice. Dr. Dillman then turned to volunteer
work, developing animal-assisted programs with the
Dade County Public Schools.
Dr. Dillman worked with Miami Dade College to secure
a W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant to fund many of the
animal-assisted activities. One program provided
horses, instructors and helmets for inner-city youngsters
to learn the basics of horse grooming and riding.
Another taught students how to prepare dogs
and themselves to do therapy visits to nursing homes.
In addition, he worked with teachers and students
using animal-assisted techniques to teach science
and other subjects.
He won several local awards for his volunteer work
and was named the 1997 Volunteer of the Year in
the state of Florida.
Dr. Dillman was an avid birder and nature photographer,
and he loved fishing, particularly fly fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karen; daughters
Pam and Debi and her husband, Steve; four
granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.
On Jan. 30, 2016, the first anniversary of his passing,
there will be a celebration of his life event at the
American Legion Post 58 in Dunnellon.
SOURCE: DILLMAN FAMILY
Dr. Robert Gengler
Robert H. “Bob” Gengler, DVM, of Enid, Okla., died
Jan. 13, 2015. He was 85.
He grew up in Perry, Okla., and graduated from Perry
High School. He served in the Air Force from 1950
to 1955, attaining the rank of sergeant. He earned
his DVM degree from OSU in 1959.
Dr. Gengler owned and operated Enid Pet Hospital
from 1960 to 1997. He was a member of the Aesculapius
Society of OSU, Enid Chamber of Commerce,
Enid Noon AMBUCS and a life member of the Oklahoma
Veterinary Medical Association. He was active
on the Enid YMCA board and a charter member of the
Enid St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, serving
on its parish council and finance committee.
He was a storyteller and master woodworker who
had a sense of humor and adventure and a zest for
life. He enjoyed hunting, cards and nature and was
an enthusiastic birder.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vickie
Zerr Gengler. He is survived by his wife of almost 11
years, Kathleen; three sons, Clay and his wife, Sue,
of Redlands, Calif.; Brian and his wife, Cathy, of Victorville,
Calif.; and Tom of Denver; two grandchildren,
a sister and several nieces and nephews.
CONTINUES
2015 Oklahoma State University 79