There were no services for Robert Alexander McDonald, DVM, 85, of Modesto. He died recently at Bel-Air Lodge after a long illness.
Born in December, 1923 in San Francisco to Alexander and Alvera McDonald, Robert lived in Redwood City, Downey, and Visalia, and in Eagle Point, Ore. He grew up on family-owned dairies. During World War II, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps in Virginia. Mr. McDonald married Mary Lull in 1952, and they lived in Eagle Point for several years before moving to Pullman, Wash. Robert was the first student to simultaneously earn both and MS degree from the University of Idaho and a DVM from Washington State University. He practiced veterinary medicine in Puyallup, Wash., for a year, then the family moved to California. He worked for the state of California in the Poultry Pathology Lab in Turlock, was a federal meat inspector, and taught at both Modesto Junior College and San Joaquin Delta College. "Doc" later purchased and remodeled a Modesto house into the Crows Landing Road Veterinary Clinic, and he expanded the building twice as his business grew. Robert raised cattle on his ranches in Keyes, Riverbank, and in Valley Home. He enjoyed his family, and raising cattle and Doberman dogs. He was a member of the Stanislaus Farm Bureau, American Veterinary Medical Association, and a former member of the Keyes School Board. He provided veterinary services for Stanislaus County Animal Control for many years after his retirement.
He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Mary McDonald; his two children, Phoebe Arakelian of Turlock, and Brian McDonald of Seattle, Wash.; his sister, Janet Nelson of Eureka; two brothers, Jim McDonald of Bakersfield and Jerry McDonald of Medford, Ore.; and two granddaughters, Lydia Arakelian and Stephanie Arakelian, both of Turlock.
Remembrances may be sent to U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Please make contributions to U.C. Regents School of Veterinary UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616. Allen Mortuary entrusted with arrangements.
Please share your memories at wwww.allenmortuary.com
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /March 25, 2009
Born in December, 1923 in San Francisco to Alexander and Alvera McDonald, Robert lived in Redwood City, Downey, and Visalia, and in Eagle Point, Ore. He grew up on family-owned dairies. During World War II, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps in Virginia. Mr. McDonald married Mary Lull in 1952, and they lived in Eagle Point for several years before moving to Pullman, Wash. Robert was the first student to simultaneously earn both and MS degree from the University of Idaho and a DVM from Washington State University. He practiced veterinary medicine in Puyallup, Wash., for a year, then the family moved to California. He worked for the state of California in the Poultry Pathology Lab in Turlock, was a federal meat inspector, and taught at both Modesto Junior College and San Joaquin Delta College. "Doc" later purchased and remodeled a Modesto house into the Crows Landing Road Veterinary Clinic, and he expanded the building twice as his business grew. Robert raised cattle on his ranches in Keyes, Riverbank, and in Valley Home. He enjoyed his family, and raising cattle and Doberman dogs. He was a member of the Stanislaus Farm Bureau, American Veterinary Medical Association, and a former member of the Keyes School Board. He provided veterinary services for Stanislaus County Animal Control for many years after his retirement.
He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Mary McDonald; his two children, Phoebe Arakelian of Turlock, and Brian McDonald of Seattle, Wash.; his sister, Janet Nelson of Eureka; two brothers, Jim McDonald of Bakersfield and Jerry McDonald of Medford, Ore.; and two granddaughters, Lydia Arakelian and Stephanie Arakelian, both of Turlock.
Remembrances may be sent to U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Please make contributions to U.C. Regents School of Veterinary UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616. Allen Mortuary entrusted with arrangements.
Please share your memories at wwww.allenmortuary.com
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /March 25, 2009
