David C. Van Sickle

David C. Van Sickle, 80, of West Lafayette passed away Thursday, March 20, 2014, at Creasy Springs Health Campus. He was born January 9, 1934, in Des Moines, IA, to the late Harold and Henrietta Kaiser Van Sickle. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Jess and Anna Hill in Marathon, IA, from the age of 7. He graduated from Marathon High School and received his DVM from Iowa State University in 1957. David worked as a veterinarian in Shannon, IL from 1957 to 1961. He was in United States Air Force and Inactive Reserve from 1958 until retiring in 1982 as a Colonel. David received his PhD in 1966 from Purdue Univeristy. He was Professor and Head of the Departmment of Basic Medical Sciences and taught veterinary and medical students histology. Professor Van Sickle retired in 2009. He was a receipiant of many awards and honors and was a member of numerous academic, professional and scholary societies. David mentored many Master and PhD students while at Purdue. He authored and co-authored many articles, book chapters and scientific abstracts. Dr. Van Sickle established the Bone and Articulation Research Laboratory in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue Univeristy. Research was conducted in Preclinical orthopedic device testing and musculoskeletal theories that were funded by several government and industrial grants and contracts. He presented many scientific research papers nationally and internationally. Dr. Van Sickle was a member of the American Legion Post 492 in West Lafayette. He married Aneta Smid and she preceded him in death in September of 2000. Surviving is his sister Dorothy Erickson (Keith) of Olathe, KS, a niece Melissa Helverik-Bing (Roger) of Orlando, FL and several cousins. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Monday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Service and burial will be in Creston, IA. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Dr. Van Sickle's memory to the Dr. David Van Sickle Endowment for Muscular Skeletal Research., CO of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Development Office.