John F. Fessler

Date of Death: April 23, 2011

John F. Fessler (Jack), 76, died unexpectedly on Saturday, April 23, 2011. He suffered a stroke on Monday.
Born June 9, 1934 in Toledo, Ohio, Jack was the first son of Ira and Catherine Fessler. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a D.V.M. in 1960.
Jack is survived by his wife of 51 years, Patricia Secord Fessler; sons Jeffrey A. Fessler, and his wife Susan Cutler, of Ann Arbor MI and James Fessler, and his wife Kate Fessler of Seattle WA; brother, Robert A. Fessler, and wife Linda L. Fessler of Bonita Springs FL. Also surviving are grandchildren Brandon and Naomi Fessler Cutler.
Jack had a long and illustrious career as a university professor specializing in large animal surgery. Jack was hired in 1960 as an instructor in veterinary surgery at Purdue University. He quickly became a professor and spent his career at the School of Veterinary Medicine.
Jack was known worldwide for his expertise. He was author or co-author of more than 100 scientific articles, a textbook on equine surgery and numerous book chapters. Jack was extremely proud to be a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons becoming a member in 1968 following a rigorous examination process. He was very active in this organization serving on several committees and as President, Chair of the Board of Regents, and Treasurer. Among his many awards was the Distinguished Service Award he received from the ACVS in 1997. However, Jack was most proud of his contributions to the education of veterinary students and graduate veterinarians training to be surgical specialists. Jack started the ACVS surgical residency training program at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1975 and trained 20 residents. He also mentored 30 graduate students and taught large animal surgery to over 2,000 veterinary students. Many of these students are now successful veterinary practitioners here and abroad. In 2002, the year he retired from Purdue University as Professor emeritus, Jack was given the Distinguished Educator Award from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011 at First United Methodist Church of West Lafayette, 1700 State Rd. 26 West, West Lafayette. The service immediately follows, at 4 p.m., at the church.
Memorial contributions can be sent to First United Methodist Church Foundation, Kiwanis Foundation, and Fessler Large Animal Surgery Residency Research Fund.

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

Light a candle Light a candle

See Condolences

Jack Fessler was an incredible mentor and colleague. I was a young pup, learning to be an equine surgeon. While I trained in the late 70&s and early 80&s with incredible folks at Washington State, I encountered Dr. Fessler at ACVS meetings around the country and of course, nearly every year at the Chicago Surgical Forum when that meeting was a fixture for ACVS members. Jack was positive, encouraging and assertive. While I never had the privilege of working directly with him, he adopted me (as he did many equine surgical residents of that time) and became a second tier mentor for me and many others. Even years later upon encountering Jack at meetings and once by happenstance in an airport, he remembered me (from a host of folks he had met during an incredible career) and kindly inquired about me, reflecting on my contributions and those of others with whom he had interacted. Dr. Fessler was an incredible professional and those of us who crossed pathes with him most certainly left those encounters competitively advantaged for having done so. Rest in peace Jack...you were incredible.

I was fortunate to work with Jack for 16 years when I was Assistant Veterinary Medical Librarian at Purdue. He was an outstanding Christian gentleman. After I retired, my husband and I would see Jack at Miracles Fitness.
He will be greatly missed by the many students he taught and the staff with whom he interacted at the Vet School.
I offer my sincere sympathy to his family.

Dear Fessler Family,

I would like to express my sympathy on the loss of Dr. Fessler. I was a student in the second graduating class at Purdue. I have fond memories of Dr. Fessler, primarily his happy and outgoing personality. In the early days of Purdue&s school he was a fixture in the large animal clinics and added greatly to the fun students had there.
I know he is missed.

Sincerely,

G. Timothy Lee, DVM

My years at the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine were greatly enhanced by my exposure to Dr. Fessler. He was a wonderful teacher and surgeon. He will be missed.

I was always so impressed that Dr Fessler remembered my name even though I tracked small animal, from freshman year he would see me in the hallway and always say ""Hi"". I also got the pleasure of traveling with him to Ethiopia 2 years ago, he was a great travel companion and euchre partner. I am sorry that I will be unable to attend this weekend as my daughter will be receiving her first communion in Indianapolis.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I was saddened to find Dr. Fessler in the newspaper today. I met him when I was volunteering at the fieldhouse for an experiment regarding regular excercise. I would frequently see him with his wife Patricia out walking together. He has had a positive impact on countless people and will be dearly missed.

Pat,
I am so very very sorry to hear of Jack&s death. I always enjoyed talking with him (and you) when he would have occasion to come into the church office. You and your family will be in my prayers during this difficult time.
Fondly,
Tab Baker

To the Fessler Family

Please accept my deepest sympathy in your loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. Dr. Fessler was an important part of my Vet School education way back when, and I always held him in high regard as an instructor and as a person.

Sincerely

Mary ""Lou"" Weliever, Class of 1972, Purdue

Dear Pat,

I am deeply saddened to learn of Jack&s passing. He was one of my favorites at the Dallas NBVME examination, always so warmly welcoming and supportive, so optimistic and full of excellent ideas for moving forward, even with the initially nontraditional idea of including communication stations in that exam. He was, of course, an outstanding communicator himself. I valued him greatly as friend and colleague, especially for his generosity of spirit and for the insights and wisdom he shared from his rich experience in veterinary medicine.

Getting to know both Jack and you better, on those occasions when you came along with him, was something I especially looked forward to each time we got together. I will miss Jack&s presence and yours.

How sweetly tied together all our lives are. How difficult it is when one among us slips the bonds. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May you sense now the ongoing love and support of family and friends both near and far. And may the Light surround you, uplift you, heal you as you grieve Jack&s passing and celebrate his life.

With deepest sympathy,
Suzanne Kurtz

May God bless Dr. Fessler. May all his family have peace during these difficult times. I will always remember Dr Fessler as a great teacher and person.

I met Dr. Fessler when I joined the Purdue faculty in 1980, but did not work directly with him because we were in different departments. For the past several years, however, I was blessed to have the opportunity to work closely with him during administrations of the Veterinary Clinical Skills Assessment. This is a hands-on practical examination for graduates of non-accredited veterinary schools, and Dr. Fessler did an outstanding job as one of the examiners. He was a true professional, and was a delight to work with. We will all miss him very much.

May God comfort you in this difficult time.

John R. Boyce, DVM, PhD
Executive Director
National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

All the veterinary students who learned under Dr Fessler will miss the great professor who taught us all so much. Our thoughts and prayers to the family. We will miss his vibrant personality and his generous spirit.

John will be greatly missed both for his contributions but more so for who he was. I only knew him through the college but consider that a privilege. I cannot remember ever seeing him without a big smile and a big Hello. My sincere condolences
Arnie Lesser

Hello:

I was sorry to hear of Jack&s passing. I am a small animal orthopedic surgeon at Iowa State and have been on the faculty here for 40 years. I knew Jack primarily through the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. I was always impressed with his professionalism, his measured response to questions, his clear and distinct manner of speaking, and his concern for the entirety of veterinary surgery.

He was an outstanding leader in ACVS and someone who I looked up to when I was in my first years in the College. He leaves an outstanding legacy.

Bill Hoefle

Deepest sympathy for your loss.
-Carol Miller (3rd grade student at Klondike Elementary, 1975-76)

Mrs. Fessler,

I was in your 3rd grade class at Klondike Elementary many years ago, around 1977 or &78. My maiden name is Sandy Miller. I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. You and your family will be in my prayers.

God bless you,
Sandy (Miller) Harris

I am saddened at the passing of Jack. He and I served together on the ACVS Board of Regents back in the 1980&s. He was very respected by the profession and everyone who was fortunate enough to work with or know him is much better off. He always asked the hard questions about any issue that needed a decision. I visited the house once and saw all the pendulum clocks that he was so proud. I will miss him but rejoice in being a friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Sincerely, Dennis M. McCurnin, DVM, DACVS

My sincere condolences on the loss of such a great man. I remember him very fondly from my days as a veterinary student. He was a great teacher and superb human being. My thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace for your family.

To Jack&s family,
I am a colleague of Jack&s, an ACVS Diplomate. I followed Jack as Treasurer of the ACVS, and I served on the Board of Regents with Jack. I am a small animal surgeon, so we did not share in the clinical arena. However, we became very good friends as leaders of our specialty college. I always admired Jack and loved him as a dear friend. I am so very sorry for your loss, and I want you to know that I share in your loss and will miss him dearly. He was a great veterinary surgeon and leader and a wonderful human being. Sincerely and with deepest sympathy, Paul Gambardella.

Pat, I am thinking of you...and will be in the weeks ahead.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I am very sorry for your loss. I am the youngest daughter of Harry & Freida Latshaw. I have very fond memories of Dr. Fessler from the large animal clinic at Purdue. I can&t think of Dr. Fessler without smiling. He was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Pat and family,
My heart goes out to all of you -- I am so sorry for your loss. Jack was beloved at the Veterinary School, where of course I had the wonderful chance to work with him (while I was Director of Development), and beloved in the community. And his talents were many! I feel very lucky to have had the chance to get to know him, work with him, and to call him my friend. He reached out to me when I lost my parents, which was very kind.

I know how difficult and painful it is to lose a spouse and a father, grandfather and all that Jack was to all of you. The grief can be overwhelming. One thing is for certain -- he love, and lived for -- his family! His eyes would always just sparkle when talking about them, and sharing plans about visiting them! I am involved in Civic Theatre, where I know Jack helped build many a set, and was cherished. He will be greatly missed by all.

Please know you have my sincere condolences. I have previous plans to be about of town this weekend, so I feel terrible that I will not likely be able to make it to Jack&s visition and service. If something falls through, I will be there. But please know in any event, I will be there in spirit.
With warmest regards,
Claire

Pat, Jeff, and Jim:

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Jack. He was a great man and a great father. I&m sure his passing was unexpected and shocking. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you mourn your loss. Having spent considerable time around your family growing up, I knew him on a more personal note and always enjoyed his laughter. He also became good friends with relative of our family, Dr Kline from California. I&m sure in this time of grief, my condolense, is one of many you will receive but remind your self of the people he touched and lasting legacy he will leave. God bless your family and let you find happiness in this time of need

Tony( Mick and Carole Smith&s Son)

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.