Obituary of Dr. Howard D. Levine

Dr. Howard D. Levine May 9, 1951 - February 14, 2008 POMFRET CENTER - Veterinarian Dr. Howard D. Levine lost his long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma on Feb. 14, 2008. He was 56. He was born May 9, 1951 in Worcester, Ma to Julius and Ida Levine. Howard held a BS in Zoology and Philosophy from the University of New Hampshire, a MS in Animal Science from UNH, and a DVM from Purdue University. Howard was proud to be a part of New England agriculture as a faculty member of Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, practicing large animal veterinary medicine in the area for the past 23 years. From 1981 until 1985 he was in private practice in Hinesburg, Vermont. He was head of Tufts Ambulatory Service in Woodstock, CT and Associate Chair of the Department of Environmental and Population Health. As a teaching clinician, he simultaneously served clients and taught students about dairy, equine, and small ruminant medicine. He lectured on many topics including clinical skills, animal behavior, large animal medical procedures, large animal medicine, reproductive physiology, and the human animal bond. Specializing in animal reproduction, he was a board certified Theriogenologist who also carried out research, performing bovine embryo collection to cryopreserve germplasm from endangered breeds of livestock at the SVF Foundation in Newport, RI. Dr. Levine was active in Heifer Project International and traveled to Nicaragua, Indonesia, and Armenia to train veterinarians. He was committed to education and in addition to serving on the Tufts Vetrinary curriculum committee for over a decade he also developed interactive CDs on dairy nutrition, bovine restraint, and medical procedures for large animals. He strived for excellence in himself and his students. He was faculty advisor for the Student Livestock Club. Because of his stature in dairy medicine, he was able to place numerous future vetrinarians into externships all over the country. On the farm he was always teaching both students and farmers. He cared deeply about his clients and the sustainability of their farms, frequently organizing continuing education programs and giving talks to dairy producers. Throughout his years of illness, encompassing two stem cell transplants and innumerable rounds of chemotherapy, he continued to work at the profession he loved and devoted his time to improving animal health and welfare through the veterinary students he educated and the service he provided. Howard was an accomplished musician; he played guitar, mandolin, bazooki, and dobro. He was always a member of a band of musicians, and liked nothing better than an afternoon of music making. Howard loved the outdoors; he was often found biking, canoeing, hiking, or cross country skiing. Howard is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Gehrett, CNM, his daughter, Corinna, his son, Zebulon, his brother and his wife, Zackary and Shelly Levine of Charlotte, NC, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends. A memorial service will be held for Howie on Monday, Feb. 18 at 1:00pm at the B'nai Shalom Synagogue, 125 Church Street, Putnam, CT. Gifts in his memory can be made to Tufts' Cummings Veterinary School, 200 Westboro Road, Grafton, MA 01536 Attn. Development Office. Donations will support Tufts Ambulatory Service.