The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn of the passing of a member of the DVM Class of 1973, Dr. David Lyle Barkman, of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Dr. Barkman died January 16, 2024, at the age of 76.
A native of Rochester, Indiana, Dr. Barkman was raised on a farm where he learned the value of hard work and developed a strong sense of family. After earning his BS degree in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University, he enrolled in the College of Veterinary medicine and received his DVM Degree in 1973.
He is remembered for the passion he demonstrated in caring for pets and equally for their owners. After serving in the United States Air Force for two years at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, he moved his young family to Alabama for an internship at Auburn University. Then in 1976, the family moved to Fayetteville where he started working at Highland Animal Hospital. He helped care for thousands of four-legged family members and their owners for 48 years. Known for being warm, funny and always compassionate, Dr. Barkman lived out a passion and love for his job that inspired two sons and one grandson to follow in his footsteps.
Dr. Barkman treasured family times whether it was cheering for his grandkids at a game or taking everyone to the beach, where they built sandcastles and caught crabs. His competitive nature was reflected in his commitment to playing basketball with friends at church or in someone’s backyard or playing racquetball at a sports center.
Dr. Barkman also was active in his church where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and was willing to work alongside others to do any project necessary to help maintain the church or care for another church member. Additionally, he was a dedicated volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and other organizations. A lover of adventure, he traveled the world extensively accompanied by his wife Karen.
A memorial service was held at Haymount United Methodist Church January 20. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Barkman’s memory may be made to Haymount United Methodist Church to continue his legacy in mission work.
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