Former Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member and long-time area equine veterinarian Charles “Chuck” D. Heinze passed away March 25 in Erie, Pa. He was 92.
Dr. Heinze served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1946. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1953. Dr. Heinze then worked at a veterinary farm practice in Pocahontas, Iowa, before joining the faculty at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, now called the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, as assistant professor in 1958. Three years later he came to Purdue University and served as associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine until 1967, when he entered private equine practice. He continued working as a private equine practitioner until his retirement in 1990.
During his veterinary career, Dr. Heinze authored or co-authored more than 50 scientific articles on equine surgery and treatment. He also was actively involved in numerous organizations, serving as section officer and Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association; founder and general chairman of the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners; and president of the Thoroughbred Association of Indiana. In addition, he served on the executive board of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association and was involved in the U.S. Trotting Association and Indiana Trotting and Pacing Horse Association.
During his time at Purdue, Dr. Heinze received the honor of membership in the Society of Phi Zeta – the Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine, and Gamma Sigma Delta – the Honor Society of Agriculture. Among his surviving children is Purdue Veterinary Medicine graduate David Heinze, of the DVM Class of 1976. A private family ceremony to celebrate the life of Dr. Charles David Heinze is planned at a later time. The Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd., Erie, PA 16506, was in charge of local arrangements. Click here to view the complete obituary.