IN MEMORIAM

Donald G. Low

Professor of Veterinary Medicine Emeritus

UC Davis

1925 – 2004

Donald G. Low died on November 7, 2004 after a long illness. Beloved teacher and mentor, visionary veterinary clinician, and skilled university administrator, he was affectionately known as the “father of veterinary nephrology and urology.”

 

Don was born in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado; he grew up on a ranch in the area, and graduated from Burlington, Colorado High School. He was awarded the D.V.M. degree by Kansas State University in 1947 after he served in the U.S. Army and the Merchant Marine. After spending two years in practice and a year as a U.S.D.A. District Veterinarian in Iowa, Don joined the faculty of the newly established College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota as an Instructor; he also enrolled as a graduate student. He was awarded the Ph.D. degree in 1956 after a two-year interruption during which he conducted research, as a Captain, at the U.S. Army’s Walter Reed Institute of Medical Research.

 

In 1957, Low was appointed to the faculty of the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary College and quickly became recognized as one of the country’s premier veterinary clinicians. In 1965, he was named Director of Clinics, a position he held until 1971, when he was named Chair, Department of Clinical Sciences at the Veterinary College at Colorado State University. In 1974, he was named Director of the UCD Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) and served in that position until 1980. During his tenure, the VMTH clinical program was greatly expanded, clinical specialties strengthened, and the graduate clinical education program was brought to maturity. Under Don’s direction, the VMTH became widely recognized as the largest and best veterinary clinical center, with the broadest and best graduate clinical education program, in the world.

 

Don’s area of professional interest encompassed disorders of the kidney, liver, and pancreas. His studies in nephrology produced many of the fundamental concepts that veterinarians still use today. He was recognized as a world authority in veterinary urology and mentored many veterinarians in this specialty. He wrote the leading textbook in the field in collaboration with two of his former students, and served as editor and reviewer in urology for important publications.

 

Although Don specialized in nephrology and urology of small animals, he maintained interest and clinical competence in broad aspects of clinical veterinary medicine. He was a founding member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology; and he served as an organizing member of the Veterinary Division of the National Academies of Practice. In recognition of his career achievements and leadership in the field of veterinary internal medicine, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine awarded Don its highest honor, the Kirk Award.

 

In 1980, Don returned to his first love, teaching, research, and clinical practice in the specialty of veterinary nephrology and urology, in which he had played an important role in developing. In 1982, however, he accepted the post of Associate Dean-Instruction in the School of Veterinary Medicine, and in 1983, he became Associate Dean-Public Programs and Director of the Companion Animal Research Laboratory, these positions he held until retirement in 1991. For 10 years after his retirement, he devoted a great deal of time and effort to veterinary outreach programs on state, national, and international levels. 

 

As Associate Dean of Public Programs, he had responsibilities in continuing education, alumni and professional relations, and development. It was during his tenure that the School became substantially engaged in fund raising and development. Active programs in companion animal health research funding were pursued and beginning ventures in foundation support for research on animal health and well-being were realized.

 

Dr. Low was a leader in establishing productive and close relationships between the School and veterinary practitioners in California. His vision resulted in the creation of a program enabling veterinarians to return for postdoctoral training at the VMTH to enhance their knowledge and clinical skills and to apply them upon their return to clinical practice. This program is funded by an endowment generated largely by practitioner gift giving, and is named the Don Low-California Veterinary Medical Association Fellowships. He was active in expanding continuing education at the time the profession adopted requirements for continued learning in order to renew a license to practice. In collaboration with professional associations and leaders in veterinary clinical education, Don played a major role in the development and implementation of educational programs aimed at enhancing the competence and broadening the scope of veterinary practice to better serve the needs of the public who own animals. Thus at all levels of veterinary education; the DVM Curriculum, graduate clinical education, and continuing post-DVM professional training, Don Low made outstanding contributions.

 

Don Low is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jane. His sister, Lorene Bowling; and his brother, Del Low. He also leaves six children, Ray and Chris Low; Ron and his wife, Diane; Cheryl Wise and her husband, Jerry; Suzie Barbour and her husband, Tom; and Kitty Ratcliff and her husband, Rick; and six grandchildren, Jim, Philip, Dan, and Steven Low, and Rainey and Tolmie Ratcliff. His sister, Luella Carr, and his son, Richard Low, preceded him in death.

 

William R. Pritchard, Chair

Edward A. Rhode

Larry D. Cowgill