Animal Reproduction Science 121S (2010) S2–S3
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Obituary
Dr John Hurtgen
Dr. John Hurtgen died on February 17, 2010, at the age of 62. He collapsed of an apparent heart attack while assisting a foaling. He is survived by his wife Linda, and their daughters Clare Derek and Maureen Saleem and their growing families, as well as five brothers and three sisters. His son Peter died as a teenager as the result of an automobile accident. John was born and raised in a dairy farming family in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. His higher education was all done at the University of Minnesota, including a 1970 bachelor’s degree in animal science, a 1972 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, a 1976 Master of Science in Theriogenology, and a 1979 PhD in Theriogenology. John’s master’s research 0378-4320/$ – see front matter doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.04.102
project was entitled Mechanical Alteration of the Equine Estrous Cycle. His doctoral dissertation was on Seasonal Breeding Patterns in Female Swine. John became a diplomate in the American College of Theriogenologists in 1979. In 1980 Dr. Hurtgen was appointed Assistant Professor of Large Animal Reproduction at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine at New Bolton Center. While there, John was very productive in both swine and equine research and writing. He coauthored the Society for Theriogenology’s manual for breeding soundness examination of the stallion and subsequently was sole author of the Society for Theriogenology’s manual on breeding soundness examination of the boar. John generously mentored several veterinary students, residents, and graduate students in that group who have since devoted their careers to equine reproduction, and credit John with having been inspirational in their decision to pursue that path. In 1983, John moved to New Freedom, Pennsylvania, where he started a private practice, Nandi Associates, to provide general equine ambulatory and specialized reproduction services in the rural communities along the southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland border. While in this demanding practice, John continued to make time to mentor veterinary students, residents, and young reproduction specialists, hiring many of the best and brightest from throughout the country. He also welcomed international practitioners and scholars on working visits to his practice. He continued to make scholarly contributions both in swine and equine reproduction. John also maintained active membership and served in leadership positions within several professional groups. He served as President of the Society for Theriogenology, and on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and on the Research Advisory Committee of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. John and Linda were successful breeders of harness racehorses. Alongside the veterinary practice they built a Standardbred breeding and embryo transfer facility under the name of Nandi Farms. The breed associations credit John with bringing embryo transfer to the Standardbred industry as a practical option for extending the breeding life
Obituary / Animal Reproduction Science 121S (2010) S2–S3
of exceptional broodmares. He was currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association. John attended nearly every ISER meeting, with papers included in the Davis, Calgary, and Deauville Symposia. John will be missed by his ISER colleagues, many of whom were dear, lifelong friends. John’s simple forthright honesty, his enormous generosity, his wit, his wisdom, and his extraordinarily scholarly approach to veterinary practice will continue to set a professional and personal example for all who knew him.
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Sue McDonnell ∗ University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, United States ∗ Tel.:
+1 610 220 4203; fax: +1 610 925 6804. E-mail address:
[email protected] Available online 15 May 2010
