In Memory: Dr. Ralph Anderson (PU DVM ’76)

May 14, 2021

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family is saddened to learn of the passing of alumnus Ralph R. “Doc” Anderson of Logansport, Ind. The beloved veterinarian and former Cass County commissioner died unexpectedly Saturday, May 8, at Logansport Memorial Hospital. He was 69.

A Lafayette, Ind. native, Dr. Anderson followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, uncle, father, and older brother as he pursued a career in veterinary medicine, earning his DVM degree at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1976. After graduation, Dr. Anderson was hired by a veterinary practice in Ohio.

In 1980, he opened his own practice, the Animal Hospital of Logansport, with a focus on small animals and horses. As the business grew, Dr. Anderson found he no longer had time to go out on field calls and gave up the equine component of his practice. He was assisted by his wife, Connie, who worked with him in the practice every day.

Known as a local leader with a huge heart for Cass County, Dr. Anderson is remembered as someone who touched the lives of both two-legged and four-legged friends during his career, making people smile through his work in Civic Players of Logansport and investing 28 years of public service as a township trustee, a county councilman, and a commissioner. A member of the Cass County Republicans, Dr. Anderson also served as a political campaign manager for many candidates. He particularly enjoyed paying tribute to veterans during the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades, giving many patriotic speeches.

In commemorating Logansport’s 175th Anniversary, Dr. Anderson produced the film, “The Birth of a City” in conjunction with the Cass County Historical Society – another organization that he supported. Additionally, during Indiana’s Bicentennial Celebration, Dr. Anderson served as a torchbearer.

A Boy Scout leader and avid reader, Dr. Anderson is remembered most of all as one who loved spending time with his family. Dr. Anderson was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello.

A funeral service celebrating Dr. Anderson’s life will be held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at the Fisher Funeral Chapel in Logansport. Friends will be received prior to the service from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Click here to view a complete obituary, with information about ways to make memorial gifts in lieu of flowers. Additionally, memories, photos, and condolences may be shared on the tribute wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” for Jennifer Danaher – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we express our gratitude to Jennifer Danaher, who is department secretary for Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

‘Purdue Pursuits’: A PVM angle on Purdue’s teaching and learning reading groups

Crafting meaningful and engaging course experiences has been at the top of Dielson Vieira’s mind ever since he joined the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s faculty in 2024. As a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Vieira is already adept at applying innovative teaching practices to classroom environments, but that doesn’t stop him from seeking out new ideas, approaches and perspectives — insights he gains through outlets like Purdue’s teaching and learning reading groups.

Top tier biology journal publishes PVM study that unlocks secrets of a drug-resistant fungal pathogen, which causes serious infections in humans

Though the name “Candida auris” is far from a household term, public health experts know it well because the multi-drug-resistant fungal pathogen, which causes serious human infections, has been classified as an urgent threat by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Antibiotic Threats Report (2019). Dr. Shankar Thangamani, Associate Professor of Microbiology and University Faculty Scholar in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology, is researching C. auris, aided by a 2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). New research findings, just published in Nature Microbiology, show how C. auris adapts and evades the immune system.

In Print: ‘Translational Research Methods for Tauopathies’

A just-published 300-page volume edited by Jessica Fortin, Purdue assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Basic Medical Sciences, provides a significant new resource for researchers studying a group of neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies. “Translational Research Methods for Tauopathies” provides detailed protocols intentionally selected to serve as a basis for research laboratories seeking to further treatments for such debilitating neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

It’s Almost Here!

Though the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference is almost upon us, there’s still time to register and take advantage of this time-honored College of Veterinary Medicine fall tradition that combines excellent continuing education with fun opportunities for reconnecting with colleagues and classmates, networking, and learning about the latest veterinary trends and products. The 2026 Purdue Veterinary Conference takes place September 23–26 on the Purdue University campus. The annual event has something for everyone, from veterinarians to veterinary technicians, faculty, staff and students.