Abstract
John M. Pletcher passed away on September 16, 2013, after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. His family was by his side when he breathed his last. John made significant contributions to many aspects of veterinary pathology during two separate, distinct careers. Born to an Air Force family in San Antonio, Texas, on April 16, 1943, John traveled the world before attending the University of California at Davis where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 followed by his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1969. Upon graduation, John began his active duty career in the U.S. Air Force Veterinary Service, a career that would ultimately have profound effects on the field of veterinary pathology. After a year as Base Veterinarian at Lackland Air Force Base, he was assigned to a post at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he received his Master of Public Health degree in 1971. He later completed a residency in veterinary pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), was certified by the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine in 1977, and certified in anatomic pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP) in 1979. Working as a staff pathologist at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute and as a research pathologist at Kruger National Wildlife Park, Republic of South Africa, from 1979 to 1982, John authored or coauthored many scientific papers and commentaries on infectious and parasitic diseases in South African wildlife. As Chairman of the AFIP Department of Veterinary Pathology from 1986 to 1992, John’s duties included the management of veterinary pathology consults from around the world, research in numerous aspects of veterinary pathology, and the training of veterinary pathologists for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Also during that time, Dr. Pletcher directed the pathology support of the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service during their evaluation of the Exxon Valdez oil spill from 1989 to 1990, and organized research aimed at evaluating the effects of oil fire smoke on animals following the Kuwaiti oil fires in 1991. While John authored or coauthored numerous journal articles on a wide spectrum of veterinary pathology during his term as Chairman at the AFIP, his professional attention focused on strengthening the AFIP veterinary pathology program and mentoring trainees. Graduates of the AFIP’s residency program have made a significant impact in all aspects of veterinary pathology in the U.S. military services, as well as other government agencies, academia, and industry. After a distinguished 23-year career in the military, John retired as a Colonel from the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps (having transferred from the Air Force) in 1992 and entered his second career with Pathology Associates, Inc. (PAI). During his 21 years with PAI (now Charles River Laboratories, Pathology Associates), John’s publications and contributions to toxicologic pathology were as equally impressive as his contributions to research, education, and military service. In addition to providing pathology services to the pharmaceutical industry, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health, the National Toxicology Program, and numerous other PAI clients, John supervised a large group of veterinary pathologists and staff. In this regard, John was a cornerstone of science, morale, mentoring, and professionalism. At the time of John’s passing, he was a senior scientific director with Charles River Laboratories. John’s professional affiliations included the Society of Toxicologic Pathology, where he served as a member of the Standardization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria Program from 1989 to 1992, and the ACVP, where he served as a member of the examination committee from 1984 to 1988 and was a councilor from 1992 to 1995.
In 1970, John married the love of his life, Suzanne Siemon, whom he had met at Davis, and together they began a loving partnership that would last 43 years. They raised two children, Brad and Clare. John and Sue’s marriage was as impressive as any of John’s professional accomplishments. They were truly best friends until the day he passed. John’s family was always his most important priority. His interests (outside of pathology) included squash, racquetball, and fishing—but most of all his three grandsons.
John’s earthly remains will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on 24 January 2014. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in John’s name may do so at the following organizations: The American College of Veterinary Pathologists either by mail or online. By mail, send to: ACVP, Attn: Wendy Coe, 2424 American Lane, Madison, WI 53704, USA. Make checks payable to the ACVP with a note “In memory of JM Pletcher.” Online: ACVP members can donate online at the ACVP site to “General Support or General Scholarship” and in the notes put “in Memory of JM Pletcher.” Nonmembers can download the pdf at http://www.acvp.org/public/dev/pdf/ContributionForm10NA.pdf, and can handwrite “In Memory of JM Pletcher” on the form. Hospice of the Chesapeake, www.hospicechesapeake.org. Call 1-877-462-1101, or e-mail Foundation@hospicechesapeake.org.
All who were touched by John’s friendship, love, humor, patriotism, and professionalism miss him and will continue to do so for a very long time.