Murray E. FOWLER

FOWLER, Murray E.
Dr. Murray Elwood Fowler, of Davis, passed away peacefully on May 18. He was 85 years old. Dr. Fowler was a doctor of veterinary medicine, professor and author.
In 1958, he became an equine surgeon on the faculty of the University of California Veterinary School at Davis, where he has resided for 56 years. Dr. Fowler developed the college's zoological and wildlife program in late 1967, the first known academic discipline dedicated entirely to the study of zoo and wild animals and is widely recognized as 'the father of zoological medicine.' The zoo and wildlife program provided medical services to the Sacramento Zoo for more than 25 years. In 2006, the Zoo opened the Dr. Murray E. Fowler Veterinary Hospital to provide clinical care to the Zoo's animal collection. Dr. Fowler published 25 books and more than 250 academic papers over his career. A member of several professional associations, he spoke at veterinary conferences and received awards from organizations throughout the world, continuing to consult and teach after retiring.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Dr. Fowler served his local congregation and community. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, where he served in various troop and district positions.
Murray would count as his greatest accomplishments the 64-year marriage with his wife Audrey, who survives him, and his family. He and his sense of humor will be missed by Audrey, his sister Eileen Freckleton, his children, Alan and Aileen Fowler, Janet and Don Alkema, Linda and Bill Allen, Patricia and Rick Craft, and Cynthia Peters, as well as his 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. His son, Gene Fowler, preceded him in death.
Funeral services for Dr. Murray Fowler will be held at the meeting house of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 785 Elmwood Drive, Davis, California, on Saturday, May 31 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Sacramento Zoological Society.