In Memory – Dr. Timothy (Tim) Boosinger (PU DVM ’76, PhD ’83)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened by the passing of a distinguished alumnus and national leader in veterinary medicine, Dr. Timothy (Tim) Boosinger, of Auburn, Alabama, who died January 27, 2025, after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer and its complications. He was 74.

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Dr. Boosinger grew up in Forest Grove, Oregon. When he was 13, his family moved to Indianapolis. While an undergraduate student at Indiana University, he transferred to Purdue University and enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in the DVM Class of 1976. After enlisting in the United States Air Force as a Captain in the Veterinary Corps, Dr. Boosinger served on active duty at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California and at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri. After 20 years in the military, three years on active duty and 17 years in the reserves, Dr. Boosinger retired in 1996 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In the midst of his military service, Dr. Boosinger continued his education, returning to Purdue and earning his PhD in veterinary pathology in 1983. He then accepted an appointment at Auburn University as an assistant professor of pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 1987, Dr. Boosinger became internationally recognized as an expert in bone and joint pathology and in foodborne bacteria causing illness of humans. In 1993, Dr. Boosinger was promoted to full professor and named associate dean for academic affairs and two years later was appointed as dean of the College.

A recipient of Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2004, Dr. Boosinger served as dean at Auburn until 2011, when he was named as Auburn’s provost and chief academic officer. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 2018.

Even in retirement, Dr. Boosinger continued serving. He accepted various appointments at Clemson University from 2018-2025, serving as interim dean of two colleges and in several capacities as the special assistant to the provost, and most recently as co-chair of the Clemson College of Veterinary Medicine Steering Committee.

In addition to his professional success, Dr. Boosinger had other talents and interests, including traveling with his wife Marcia, visiting all seven continents, of which Antarctica was his favorite. He also loved river cruises and anything to do with being on the ocean or the lake. An excellent sailor, he owned several sailboats over time, though his most recent boat was the family pontoon, which he used to zoom in circles and figure eights while pulling a tube full of grandchildren.

Dr. Boosinger also was a handyman known for being able to build or fix almost anything around the house and for his love of woodworking. Most of all he is remembered as an incredibly compassionate and loving person who never met a stranger and always thought the best of anyone with whom he interacted. A dedicated and supportive father and grandfather, he was known for his immense love of family, and for his broad and enveloping definition of family that included every group with whom he worked. He often was described with the words “kind”, “good” and “lovely” because of his genuine interest in everyone he met and his ability to put people at ease.

A memorial service is planned for 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 7, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, 143 East Thach Ave, Auburn, AL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Presbyterian Community Ministry, 143 E. Thach Avenue, Auburn AL 36830, or to a memorial fund to honor Dr. Boosinger’s contributions to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (giving@vetmed.auburn.edu or (334) 844-1446).

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