In Memoriam

Don Abt, V'61

We share the heartbreaking news that Dr. Don Abt passed away on July 27, 2022. Many IAAAM members owe much, if not their entire careers, to Don, and few would argue about his deep and lasting impact on aquatic animal medicine.

A native New Englander, Don obtained a BS in zoology from the University of Massachusetts and was a 1961 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. For three years, he taught anatomy at Penn and worked on bovine lymphosarcoma. After doing graduate work in biostatistics and epidemiology, Don taught both subjects to Penn Vet students before becoming the associate dean for academic affairs. In this role, he was instrumental in implementing the novel core-elective curriculum. For the next 19 years, Don continued to teach and serve as associate dean.

In the fall of 1989, Don and his loving wife Sandy moved to Falmouth, Massachusetts (his adopted hometown), and he became director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Medicine and Pathology at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. Don served in this role until 1999. Certainly, all of this would make for a full academic career and then some. But Don had another job, and for many reading this, a most important one. Don was the founding director of the AQUAVET® program that began in 1976 and has helped train many of the current and future leaders in our field. Don held the role of AQUAVET® director for 25 years and officially retired in 2001 as professor emeritus of aquatic animal medicine and pathology. But retirement did not slow Don down. He continued teaching in the AQUAVET® program and having a positive and lasting impact on the hundreds of students that were lucky enough to learn from and spend time with him (especially at the famous end-of-course clambakes he hosted every year!).

Don was also an IAAAM President, lifetime IAAAM member, and the first recipient of the William Medway Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was much more than a veterinarian, teacher, mentor, administrator, and amazing father. For almost five decades he was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary (Falmouth) Flotilla 11-02, serving in numerous capacities including Flotilla Commander and he was awarded with countless accolades. Don was active in his church, the First Congregational Church of Falmouth, where he diligently served as parliamentarian. He leaves a strong and lasting legacy; he was so proud of everyone in our field; and particularly gratified with how far aquatic animal medicine has come.

Don is survived by Sandy; his son, David, and David's wife, Debby; and his daughter, Debbie (also a veterinarian), and Debbie's husband, Bill.

Rest in Peace, Dr. Abt.