We are saddened to share that Dr. Robert (Bob) Curtis, OVC 1961, passed away on December 8, 2019.
Dr. Robert (Bob) Curtis
Born in Orangeville, Ontario, in 1931, Dr. Curtis came from an agricultural background. He worked on his home farm during his early schooling and went on to operate his own beef farm. He graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College’s doctor of veterinary medicine program in 1961 and subsequently was appointed to the College’s Department of Clinical Studies and Ambulatory Clinic. After receiving his master of science degree in 1968, he was promoted to associate professor and in 1975 to full professor.
In the early 1960’s, Dr. Curtis, along with OVC faculty Dr. Jack Cote, began enrolling herds in a dairy herd health initiative. The program was designed to provide dairy farmers with regular wellness care for their herds. OVC Ruminant Field Services veterinarians would regularly visit herds for physical exams, reproduction checks and began to create written records for each cow, setting the foundation for what veterinarians now know about herd health.
From left: Drs. Jack Cote, Ken Leslie, Bob Curtis, David Sandals and Brent Hooker.
In 1985 Dr. Curtis joined the new Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI as the inaugural chair of the Department of Health Management. He also played a critical role in the planning and development of AVC’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Curtis retired from AVC in September 1996.
Dr. Curtis was renowned for his love of service to clients and for his dedication to the students he taught. A leader in the veterinary profession in Canada, he was recognized by his peers for his contributions with a Life Member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the OVC Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1988 and the CVMA Schering Award in 1986.
Recently, the Class of OVC 1967 established the Bob Curtis OVC ‘67 Wellness Travel Fund in honour of Dr. Curtis. The fund helps bring experts with experience and expertise in mental health and wellness to deliver educational activities to students, staff and faculty in the OVC community. In addition to supporting the veterinary profession, the fund thanks Dr. Bob and Connie Curtis for their friendship, guidance and support for the class during their years at OVC.
In addition, at OVC there are two student awards honouring Dr. Curtis. The Dr. R. A. Curtis Bovine Award is awarded to a graduating DVM student for academic standing, clinical competence, and interest in bovine medicine.
The R.A. Curtis Graduate Bovine Scholarship (OVC) provides a scholarship for graduate students entering OVC and intending to pursue studies in cattle.