The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family mourns the loss of a member of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s second graduating class, Dr. James Ernest Brester, of the community of Bean Blossom in Brown County, Ind. Dr. Brester died unexpectedly December 22, 2020 in his home. He was 78.
Originally from Indianapolis, Dr. Brester earned his DVM degree at Purdue University in 1964, just a few years after the College of Veterinary Medicine enrolled its first class in 1959. Following graduation, Dr. Brester went into private practice, beginning a career that spanned more than 50 years. According to an article published in The Republic newspaper in Brown County, Dr. Brester began operating his Bean Blossom Animal Clinic in 1966, and remained in practice there until he retired in 2017. He continued to live next door in retirement.
Active in his community, Dr. Brester was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, the Brown County Humane Society, 4-H, and the Brown County Community Center Scholarship Fund. He also served terms on the Brown County Board of Health and Brown County Schools Board of Trustees.
Dr. Brester is most remembered for his long-time service as a veterinarian for a wide area, in which people would bring their pets from several counties to him to treat. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, raising cattle, and cutting firewood.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. Agnes Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul of Brown County, P.O. Box 577, Nashville, IN 47448.
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