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In Memory: Dr. Kurt Bales (PU DVM ’87)

Purdue Veterinary Medicine mourns the passing of an alumnus, Dr. Kurt Bales, who died Wednesday, January 13. He was 58.

Born in Anderson, Ind. Dr. Bales attended Union High School in Modoc, Ind. before coming to Purdue to study veterinary medicine. After graduating in the DVM Class of 1987, Dr. Bales started work in private practice at the New Hope Veterinary Clinic in German Valley, Ill. A year later, he and his family moved to Topeka, Ind. where he worked at the King Animal Care Clinic. Then, in 1992, he returned to the New Hope Veterinary Clinic in Illinois where remained in practice for 27 years and served as as a clinic partner.

Dr. Bales and his wife, Vicki, have four children whom he cherished spending time with and working together on projects. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, music, reading, and working in his vegetable garden. He was known as a kindhearted, generous man who will be greatly missed by many.

Memorial services were held earlier this week in Freeport, Ill. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at walkermortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Dr. Bales’ name at Park Hills Church (2525 W. Stephenson St., Freeport, IL 61032) to be used in support of missionaries. Click here for a complete obituary.

Writer(s): Allison Carey | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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