In Memoriam

Dr Charles van Riper III (1943-2025)

Dr Charles an Riper was a passionate and prolific scientist who dedicated decades of his life to the wellbeing of wildlife.

He served as Wildlife Disease Association President (2007-2009) and contributed to the Journal of Wildlife Diseases for nearly 40 years. He was a lifetime member of the WDA and received the Emerit Award in 2017 honoring his significant contribution to wildlife health. 

Producing more than 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals, books, and other outlets, even at the time of his passing he was working on a research project on the Cordilleran Flycatcher.

His life outside work was as diverse and impactful as his science. Charles brought great energy and enthusiasm to everything he did – conducting science, mentoring students, interacting with colleagues, engaging with his community, and most importantly, loving and supporting his family and friends.

Read more about Charles’ amazing life at https://charlesvanriper.com

Dr William R. Lance (1941-2024)

Bill earned his DVM at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 1965. In the last semester of vet school, he accepted a commission as a 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a master’s degree in 1971 and a PhD in veterinary pathology in 1980, both at Colorado State University (CSU). He practiced as a veterinarian during and after his Air Force service.

But ultimately he will be remembered for his innovative contributions which effectively transformed the science and practice of capture, immobilization, anesthesia, and handling of non-domestic animals as well as his capacity to forge collaborative relationships between organizations and individuals. 

The drugs he helped develop under the banner of Wildlife Pharmaceuticals, Inc. were used in the immobilization of wildlife species throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Africa, while pharmaceutical formulations created by his Zoopharm, Inc, supplied nearly all the zoos and animal collections within the United States. His drug preparations were vital to the veterinary community. In addition, polymeric-controlled release technology created by his company SR Veterinary Technologies, Inc. for domestic species like dogs and cats, allowed vets to dose animals less frequently with a more effective and longer duration of pain control.

Bill was a pioneer in his trade in the truest sense of the word and his many contributions to veterinary medicine will be forever remembered by his colleagues and peers.

Dr Marie-Pierre Ryser (1971-2023)

Marie-Pierre was one of those people who lightened a room. She was strong, committed, devoted, passionate; her convictions firm, her ways subtle, her charm irresistible.

A tirelessly active and devoted member of the WDA for 18 years, she was EWDA president for two terms, a WDA Council (2016-2020) and WDA Student Awards Committee member (2009-2012), and served on multiple scientific committees for WDA/EWDA conferences. Her engagement was recognized with the Ed Addison Distinguished Service Award in 2019.

She engaged in numerous professional forums where she felt she could make a difference. And she did. Her memory carries on in the programs and networks she helped establish, in the grants and fellowships that continue to change students’ lives and in many to whom she was a mentor and role model.

Above all, she was a loving mother of her two sons, she was ever so proud of.

Dr Don Forrester (1937-2023)

A JWD editor in the early ‘80s, Dr Forrester also served as WDA President and Vice President, and was an active Council member and a vocal advocate for WDA values, receiving the Emeritus Award in 2004.

He dedicated his life to the study of parasites and disease, earning a PhD from UC Davis in 1967 and accepting a position at the University of Florida Veterinary School in Gainesville in 1969, where he remained for the next 35 years. He published two landmark books; Parasites and Diseases of Wild Mammals in Florida (1992) and Parasites and Diseases of Wild Birds in Florida (2003) (with Marilyn Spalding), and his peer reviewed publications approached 200.

He was a gentle and deeply religious soul and the type of Christian who practiced what he preached. He adored his wife Gabriele and the three children they raised, and was truly in his element in the wilderness.