WSU, USDA pay tribute to veterinarian, researcher John R. Gorham

Pullman, Wash. –

The flags at Washington State University (WSU) were flown at half mast yesterday to pay tribute to veterinarian and researcher John R. Gorham after his recent passing.

In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered the tribute yesterday to long-time professor and researcher at WSU and USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Gorham was 88, and was inducted to the ARS Hall of Fame in 1993.

Gorham's more than half-century of scientific research resulted in solving animal disease-control problems and advanced the basic knowledge of viral and genetic diseases in humans and animals. He had an international reputation in slow virus diseases, fur-animal diseases and animal models of human genetic diseases.

Gorham also held the longest tenure of any faculty member ever employed in the college. Since receiving his DVM degree from WSU in 1946, he has continuously taught, conducted research and provided service for the profession, the USDA and the university, WSU reports. "Virtually every living WSU veterinary alumnus in the world has had at least one lecture during their professional training delivered by Dr. Gorham," the university says.

In 2011, WSU set up The Dr. John R. Gorham Fellowship in Veterinary Medicine to foster the education and scientific curiosity of graduate students studying animal diseases "and to honor one of our most distinguished faculty members," WSU says.

In addition to his many contributions to veterinary medicine, Gorham and his wife Mary Ellen were key advisers to

DVM Newsmagazine

throughout the 1980s and 1990s.