Dr. Murray Fowler

Murray E. Fowler 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, author, and a veteran of the United States Navy. He enlisted in the Navy Medical Corps in 1946, after which he attended Utah State University on the G.I. bill. Dr. Fowler received a degree in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University, and joined a practice dealing with thoroughbred breeding farms and movie animals. In 1958, he accepted a position as an equine surgeon on the faculty of the University of California Veterinary School at Davis, where he has resided for 56 years. At U.C. Davis, Dr. Fowler developed the college's zoological and wildlife program in late 1967. He is widely recognized as "the father or zoological medicine." This was the first known academic discipline dedicated entirely to the study of zoo and wild animals. The zoo and wildlife program provided medical services to the Sacramento Zoo for more than 25 years. He also served on the board of the Sacramento Zoological Society. 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. Never an A-student in English, he credits wife Audrey's sharp editing skills for his publishing prowess. A member of several professional associations, he spoke at veterinary conferences and received many honorary awards from organizations throughout the world, continuing to consult and teach after retiring. While Dr. Fowler specialized in large mammals, his veterinary practice was nearly as varied as the animal kingdom itself. He recalled a particular day performing surgery on an elephant in the morning, and a parakeet that same afternoon. When asked recently by one of his grandsons what he considered his greatest achievement in his professional life, he replied that he hoped that he would be remembered as a teacher. Dr. Fowler greatly enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Dr. Fowler served his local congregation and community in numerous capacities, and was always available to give of his time and his means when service was needed. A particular love was the Boy Scouts of America, where he served in various troop and district positions and was awarded the Silver Bear and Silver Beaver service awards. 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 Aileen 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 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Sacramento Zoological Society, http://www.saczoo.org/ or by mail, Sacramento Zoological Society, Attn: Development Department, 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822.

---

Previous Events

Funeral
Saturday, May 31, 2014

---