H. Rodney Ferguson

H. Rodney Ferguson, age 78, of Rittman, Ohio died Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Cleveland Clinic/Akron General Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Rod was born on September 25, 1943, in East Liverpool, Ohio, to the late Harold and Mary (Prince) Ferguson and graduated in 1961 from Wellsville High School in Ohio. Dr. Ferguson earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 1967. He also holds a M.S. and a PhD. from Colorado State University. Dr. Ferguson taught, trained and mentored several generations of Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary students and Veterinary colleagues across the country. Early in his career Dr. Ferguson held teaching positions in academia at Colorado State University and at Kansas State University as Head of Small Animal Surgery. He was an Emeritus Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Rod had the vision of building a multidisciplinary specialty hospital for companion animals incorporating a philosophy he believed would best serve the veterinary community as well as patients. His vision became reality in 1995 as he opened Akron Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center along with his partners Dr. Jim Vogt and Dr. Larry Anson. Dr. Ferguson guided the hospital with his vision and integrity along with being one of the most respected surgeons in the country until his retirement in 2019.

Angus cattle ran deep in Rod's roots. His dream of beginning his own seed stock operation came to life when he started Chippewa Valley Angus Farms with his wife Laurie in 1992. The beginning genetics of his herd were influenced by cattle from his father, Harold, and sister, Jan Lyons. Chippewa Valley Angus Farms was awarded the Ohio Seed Stock Producer of the Year in 2014 by the Ohio Cattlemen's Association. He was a member of American Angus Association, Ohio Angus Association, Ohio Cattlemen's Association and National Cattlemen's Beef Association. As with veterinary medicine, his involvement ran deep.

In retirement Rod enjoyed spending treasured time with family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening, walking the pastures daily with his herdsmen and travel. Rod was also a lifelong Buckeye fan.

In addition to his wife, Laurie, surviving are three children, Tadd (Gisela) Ferguson, Brent (Elizabeth) Ferguson, and Tenisha (Lutul) Farrow; 8 grandchildren, Liam, Rowan, Joaquin "Jota", Maya, Quinn, Andrew, Donovan, and Jackson; 4 siblings, Janet (Frank) Lyons, Linda (Larry) Ensinger, Bill Ferguson, Mary (Mike Colvin) Ferguson; brother-in-law Chuck Webber, daughter-in-law, Jennie Ferguson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Douglass Ferguson (Jennie); sister, Paula Webber (Chuck); and sister-in-law, Peggy Ferguson (Bill).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Details can be obtained by emailing: rfergusoncol@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

American College of Veterinary Surgeons Donation to Advance Surgical Care of All Animals www.acvs.org

19785 Crystal Rock Dr, Suite 305 Germantown, MD 20874

(Please note donation is in memory of H Rodney Ferguson DVM, DAVCS)

Ohio Angus Association - Youth Scholarship Fund In memory of H Rodney Ferguson C/O Dan Wells 12620 Westfall Rd. Frankfort, Ohio 45628

Auble-Gillman Funeral Home in Rittman is handling the

arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence

may be made at www.gillmanfuneralhome.com.