Bob Froehlich, founder of Summit Veterinary Advisors, dies at 73

Robert E. Froehlich, DVM, MBA, the founder of Summit Veterinary Advisors in Littleton, Colorado, died May 23 after a brief illness at age 73. 

Froehlich, a graduate of Iowa State University, served two years in the Army Veterinary Corps before interining at Purdue University. Through his life, he gained over 20 years of experience in private practice, 15 of which were as an owner of Grafton Small Animal Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While in practice in 1987, he became one of the first veterinarians to obtain an MBA degree. 

Dr. Bob Froehlich Soon after, Froehlich sold his clinic in order to join the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) in Denver, Colorado, as the first director of management services. There he assumed responsibility for development and implimentation of the Veterinary Management Institute and Veterinary Management School, among other programs, including hospital accredidtation, financial analysis, consulting, insurance, financial services and retirement programs. He then became an adjunct faculty member of Purdue University, soon after becoming an affiliate faculty member of the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

After leaving AAHA, Froehlich established Summit Veterinary Advisors in Lakewood, Colorado, where he served as a business consultant for both general and specialty practices for veterinarians worldwide. He also served as presient of VetPartners, where he was awarded the VetPartners Distinguished Life Member Award for his contributions to the practice of veterinary business consulting. 

Froehlich was a regular speaker for programs such as AAHA, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the North American Veterinary Conference and the Western Veterinary Conference, along with state, provincial and local veterinary medical associations and student programs. He wrote the book Successful Financial Management for the Veterinary Practie as well as numerous articles and monographs on management issues. He was also an item writer for the National Board of Veterinary Examiners and served for four years as chair of the management section of the North American Veterinary Conference. 

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; children Karen and son-in-law Gregg Hartmann, Andrew and girlfriend Wendy, and Wiliam and daughter-in-law Jessica; grandchildren Emma, Owen, Noah and Ella; brother Allan and his wife Mary Ellen; and many other family members and friends. A memorial service will be held in Froehlich's honor on June 12 at Abiding Hope Church in Littleton. Memorial contributions may be made to Freedom Service Dogs, 2000 W. Union Ave., Englewood Co 80110; or Porter Adventist ICU and Palliative Care, 2525 S. Downing St., Denver CO 80210