Victor Perman D.V.M.

Age 85 Of Roseville Retired professor emeritus, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, died suddenly Sunday December 11th surrounded by his loving family. Victor was born January 28, 1926 to Daniel and Julia Perman and raised on the family dairy farm near Greenwood, Wisconsin. Preceded in death by his parents, daughter Vicki and siblings Joe, Ann, DeDe, Mary, Tina. Survived by his beloved wife Virginia (Ginny), of 61 years, daughters Lauri Perman (Tom Ryan), Joan (Jim) Bertelsen, Jean (Steve) Olson, Karen (Tim) Borgert; grandchildren Nate Ryan, Erick and Katie Bertelsen, Kyle and Ryan Olson, Jessica, Christopher, and Marissa Borgert; sisters Kay Speich and Margaret (Herb) Meisner; and many nieces and nephews. A 1943 graduate of Greenwood High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 and served on the USS Pavlic which saw duty in the Pacific theatre. After his father's death in 1946, the Navy discharged him to help his mother on the family farm. Victor saw his farming profits eroded by veterinary bills and decided to become a veterinarian, using his GI bill to enroll in college at the University of Minnesota. He entered the pre-vet program at the age of 24. The following year he married Virginia June Awe on June 10th, 1950. He continued his education earning his B.S. and D.V.M in 1955 while providing for his growing family of 4 daughters. He completed his PhD degree in 1962 based on his research at Brookhaven National Laboratory. A fifth daughter, Karen, born in 1963, followed in his footsteps, also earning her DVM. A pioneer in the field of veterinary clinical pathology and a former president of the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists, Dr. Perman received its lifetime achievement award in 2002 for his contributions to veterinary clinical pathology and for developing the use of cytology as a rapid and reliable diagnostic technique. Also elected a distinguished member of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. He received two Gaines "Fido" Awards, one from the American Veterinary Medical Association and one from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) as well as the AAHA's Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Perman, author of Cytology of the Dog and Cat, was a sought-after speaker who developed an international reputation presenting hundreds of workshops and lectures including travels to South Africa, Japan and Europe. Recipient of the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award in Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Perman taught University of Minnesota DVM students clinical pathology for more than 40 years, from 1955 through 1998. In his long tenure at the Veterinary College, Dr. Perman also assumed many administrative roles, including Department Chair, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, and Director of the Veterinary Hospital Laboratories. In his retirement, he was active in the Veterinary College Alumni Society, his church community at St. Michael's, mission work in Jamaica for 7 years, a major supporter of the Roseville area food shelf, and a member of the Roseville Kiwanis from which he recently received a distinguished service award. He enjoyed gardening, caning, hunting, fishing, a good book, time with his family and friends around good food. His family wishes to thank the staff at Davita Dialysis and Regions Hospital who cared for our father during his many visits, along with Pastors Roland Hayes and Leesa Soderlund for their care and campassion. Vic would want us all to care for those less fortunate than ourselves as we continue our journey without him by our side. Rest in peace. We will miss you more than you will ever know. Family will begin receiving visitors at 2:30 pm Sunday December 18th followed by a memorial service at 4 pm. at ST. MICHAELS LUTHERAN CHURCH. 1660 W. Co Rd B, Roseville, MN. Please join us for dinner in the fellowship hall following the service. Private interment at Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. Michael's Lutheran Church or the University of Minnesota Veterinary College.