Dr. Kenneth C. Bovée, DVM
Professor Emeritus of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Kenneth C. Bovée, DVM, passed away on May 23, 2014. Dr. Bovee was born September 1, 1936, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and Plymouth, Indiana. He earned a BSc and a veterinary degree from Ohio State University, followed by an internship and staff position in medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York City.
He joined the Penn Vet faculty as an assistant professor in 1964 and, in 1969, completed a postdoctoral fellowship and Master of Medical Science degree in Penn’s School of Medicine.
Dr. Bovée served the Veterinary School and Clinical Department with distinction in many roles, including Chief of the Section of Medicine for a total of 16 years, and as Chairman of the Department of Clinical Studies for six years. Dr. Bovée was Chairman of the Department during the construction and move into the new small animal hospital (Ryan Hospital) in 1981. He also served the University as a member of the Faculty Senate and the Academic Planning and Finance Committee. For 10 years, he chaired the University’s Graduate Group in Comparative Medical Sciences.
In 1981, he was the first recipient of the Corinne R. and Henry Bower Chair and Professorship in Medicine. He was very supportive of the integration of social work into veterinary education and was appointed to a Secondary Faculty position at the Penn School of Social Work in 1985.
A Charter Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine since 1972, Dr. Bovée served the Internal Medicine College in many ways, including chairing their examination committee for six years and serving as President from 1979 to 1980. He was a prolific writer of articles describing original studies, as well as chapters in textbooks. He also wrote a book, Canine Nephrology, published in 1984. Internationally recognized for his expertise in small animal urology, Dr. Bovée was awarded the Ralston Purina Small Animal Research Award in 1980.
He was a member of numerous veterinary and medical societies such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Heart Association, American Society of Hypertension, the American and International Society of Nephrology, and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Dr. Bovée retired as Emeritus Professor in 1998 and spent the remainder of his life enjoying family and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Brent, and is survived by his wife, Terry, and two sons, Brad (V’92) and Ben and their families.
Mary Elinor Butt Jenny, V’49
Mary Elinor Butt Jenny was born in Philadelphia on November 10, 1924, and died peacefully on June 21, 2014, at the age of 89. She was a student of the late Dr. Jacques Jenny, who she married following her graduation from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1949. She was one of the first women to graduate as a veterinarian in the United States.
Elinor was devoted to animals and a knowledgeable horsewoman, whose home-bred Heyday was ridden to an individual gold medal at the 1995 Pan American Games by legendary three-day eventer Bruce Davidson.
Her dedication to her profession was deep and sincere. Elinor served her veterinary alma mater as an Assistant Instructor in Surgery in the early 1970s and was a generous supporter of New Bolton Center’s Equine Orthopedic Research Fund. She was also a committed and creative member of the school’s Second Century Campaign Equine Committee.
She endowed the Jacques Jenny Professorship of Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery for Large Animals at New Bolton Center in 1973 in honor and memory of her husband, a pioneer of equine orthopedic surgery at Penn Vet, who died in 1971.
She is survived by her five children and 11 grandchildren and their families. Her granddaughter Elinor Grassie, V’12, followed in her footsteps as a veterinarian.