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In Memory: Dr. Robert Holmes (PU DVM ’71)

Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumnus Robert A. Holmes, a member of the DVM Class of 1971, passed away Sunday, October 7, at his home in St. Francisville, La. He was 71.

After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Purdue, Dr. Holmes served two years as a Captain in the United States Air Force Veterinary Corps. He then worked in private veterinary practice from 1973 until 1977, when he left to pursue graduate study at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. After earning his MS and PhD degrees, he joined the faculty of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1983, and remained there until his retirement in 2010.

A celebration of his life was held Wednesday, October 10 at the St. Francisville United Methodist Church, where Dr. Holmes was a member for 20 years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Francisville United Methodist Church.

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

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