With sadness, the Ontario Veterinary College announces the passing of Dr. Ted Valli, distinguished alumni and former faculty member at OVC. Dr. Valli passed away on Friday, August 9, 2019.
Dr. Ted Valli
Dr.
Valli was a distinguished veterinary pathologist; well known as a researcher,
mentor and leader. He was the dean of
the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine from 1989 to 2001. He
spent the first part of his career at the University of Guelph where he
received a DVM degree, conferred by the University of Toronto in 1962, and PhD
degree 1969 from the Ontario Veterinary College. At the University of Guelph, he chaired the
Department of Pathology and served as Associate Dean of Research.
He received many professional recognitions. In 2017, the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) bestowed its highest honour, Distinguished Member, for his contributions and exemplary manner to veterinary pathology. Previously, his contributions to the field were recognized by the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology in 2011, and the Theilen Tribute Award from the Veterinary Cancer Society in 2015.
He was born and raised on the Alberta prairie and worked on his parents’ sheep and seed potato farm until the age of 27. With the encouragement and support of his father-in-law (Robert Doran), he went to Olds College, Alberta, and moved on to University of Alberta to study agriculture prior to enrolling at OVC in 1958. Upon graduation he opened the Bow Valley Veterinary Clinic in Brooks, Alberta, from which he operated a large animal clinic until returning to University of Guelph in 1965 to pursue graduate studies under the supervision of Dr. Bernard McSherry, with whom he remained lifelong friends. Uncommon at the time, Ted achieved dual board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathology in both anatomic and clinical pathology.
Ted will be remembered in many ways, his Red MGB sports car, his sense of humour, his keen intellect, ability to memorize poetry (The Cremation of Sam Magee), love of science and community, unrelenting work ethic, and driving ambition to succeed. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and his western Canadian roots.
Memorial arrangements are pending and will be shared when available.