The annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog held in conjunction with the Purdue Veterinary Conference took on special meaning this year, after the beloved emeritus professor for whom the event was named passed away. Dr. Horace “Skip” Jackson, of West Lafayette, Indiana, died Friday, September 16, at his residence, just a few days before the 2022 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, which took place Saturday, September 24. Dr. Jackson was 99.
Born in Pennsylvania, and a military veteran who served in the United States Army in World War II, Dr. Jackson earned his undergraduate degree at Penn State before coming to Purdue University, where he joined the faculty in 1949, ten years before the College of Veterinary Medicine enrolled its first class. He earned his Master’s and PhD degrees in 1950 and 1953, and became one of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s founding faculty members, where he served until he retired in 1992.
In addition to his renown as a faculty member, Dr. Jackson also was known as a fitness enthusiast. He started a jogging tradition with his students in 1973 that became the annual event named in his honor and held in conjunction with the college’s annual veterinary conference. Dr. Jackson faithfully participated in the run/walk each year. Dr. Jackson also was a founding member of, and active participant in, Purdue’s A.H. Ismail Center for Health, Exercise and Nutrition.
“Dr. Jackson always will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm, enduring commitment to teaching veterinary students, disarming smile, and passion for healthy living,” Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed said. “He will be greatly missed.”
Dr. Jackson was remembered in a special way Saturday morning before the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, when Dean Reed paid tribute to him and asked for a moment of silence, just before officially starting the race in front of the Harrison Street entrance to Lynn Hall. Several members of Dr. Jackson’s family, including his wife, Betty, were on hand for the event, dressed in special bright yellow Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog T-shirts. Then, that afternoon, a memorial service was held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lafayette.
Gifts in Dr. Jackson’s memory may be made to the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog. Give via check payable to Purdue Foundation, with a notation that the gift is for the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog and Fun Run Endowment Support Fund, and mailed to Purdue Foundation, Gift Processing, P.O. Box 772401, Detroit, MI, 48277-2401. Memorial gifts also may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette, or Lafayette Food Finders Food Bank.
