Dr. Julius J. Fishler died November 12, 1991. Dr. Fishler was born December 4, 1908 in Benton Harbor, MI. He began his veterinary practice when he moved to Elkhart, IN in 1946 following his graduation from Michigan State Uni- versity. During his career, Dr. Fishler served as President of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, and was on the board of directors of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association. He was the recipient of the 1968 Practitioner Award of the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Fishler was also a founding member of the Golden Retriever Advisory Council which evolved into the Orthopedic Foun- dation for Animals. In addition to the activities noted above, Dr. Fishler was instrumental in the formation of veterinary radiology as a recognized specialty in veterinary medicine. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Veterinary Radiology Society for 11 years. In that role, he worked diligently in nurturing the transition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Radiology Society from a format of mimeographed notes to a professional publication which has matured into the fully illustrated periodical Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.
In addition to the activities noted above, Dr. Fishler was instrumental in the formation of veterinary radiology as a recognized specialty in veterinary medicine. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the American Veterinary Radiology Society for 11 years. In that role, he worked diligently in nurturing the transition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Radiology Society from a format of mimeographed notes to a professional publication which has matured into the fully illustrated periodical Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.
In reviewing the Preface of the first four issues of the Journal of the American Veterinary Radiology Society, I found Dr. Fishler was always gracious in acknowledging the help of his colleagues, and in particular his wife Marion, in making the journal a reality. In the 1962 issue he wrote, “Again I must admit that if it were not for the many hours of work put in by my wife, Marion, this Journal and pos- sibly this association would not exist.” As recognition for his support of the establishment of veterinary radiology as a bona fide specialty, Dr. Fishler was honored by being elected as an Associate Member of the American College of Veterinary Radiology.
Although I did not know Dr. Fishler personally, I feel that through discussions with Harker Rhodes and Marion Fishler, and through reading the early American Veterinary Radiology Society Journals, I know much about him. It is fortunate Dr. Fishler had a hand in cultivating not only the journal but the specialty as well. His perseverance and en- ergy resulted in a prodigious legacy. With the death of Dr. Fishler, veterinary radiology lost a friend and pioneer. Me- morials may be given to the AVMA Scholarship Fund or to the Michigan State University or Purdue University Veterinary Scholarship Funds.
D.E. Thrall, DVM Editor