Dr. Loras "Duke" Wilgenbush, a now retired Victor veterinarian, is shown with the 2011 William P. Switzer award given annually by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. Dr. Wilgenbusch enjoyed a 39-year career as a veterinarian, 38 of those years were spent in Victor.
By J.O. PARKER
joparker@dmreg.com
For 39 years Dr. Loras “Duke” Wilgenbusch, a now retired Victor veterinarian, delivered hundreds of piglets, colts, calves and patched up kitties and puppies in the thousands, while helping farmers and families in the process.
His efforts, both in the field and at the home office in Victor, have led to Dr. Wilgenbusch receiving the 2011 William P. Switzer Award in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University (ISU).
The award is presented annually and recognizes exemplary individuals who have made significant contributions to society through their achievements, or have made major contributions to the enhancement of the College of Veterinary Medicine at ISU. Dr. Wilgenbusch was presented the award during special ceremonies held by the university and the college on Friday, Oct. 21.
Calling his career a service profession, Dr. Wilgenbusch said being a veterinarian is really about working with people and helping people.
“It has been a very interesting ride to think back on all the changes,” Dr. Wilgenbusch said of his long career. “I can remember when I would have three or four evening sick calls to farms.”
He’s also witnessed a lot of changes though the years, saying that when he began the pet population was about five percent of his practice. Today, that number is closer to 50 percent.
Dr. Wilgenbusch grew up on a family farm in Rickardsville, near Dubuque.
He is a 1965 graduate of Leo High School in Holy Cross. After attending one year at Loras College in Dubuque, Dr. Wilgenbusch transferred to ISU where he earned a veterinarian degree in 1972.
Dr. Wilgenbusch said he enjoyed biology and deep down wanted to stay with his roots in the farm.
“It was a good way to do both,” Dr. Wilgenbusch said of becoming a veterinarian. “To me, at that time, being a veterinarian meant going to farms and taking care of the farm animals.”
Dr. Wilgenbusch said there is no question that the local veterinarian who came to his dad’s farm played a role in his decision to follow in his footsteps.
“He was gentleman and very professional,” recalled Dr. Wilgenbusch. “He was always willing to come and take care of our problems.”
Following graduation from ISU, Dr. Wilgenbusch completed a one-year internship at Cornell College in Ithaca, N.Y., before arriving in Victor, where he spent the next 38 years.
Dr. Leonard Seda, former owner of the Victor Veterinary Associates, was responsible for bringing Dr. Wilgenbusch to town.
“Duke has been a tremondous veterinary partner and friend,” said Dr. Seda, who retired in 2002. “He is very deserving of this honor because of his outstanding service to our profession, to Iowa agriculture and to the Victor community.”
Through the years, Dr. Wilgenbush has worked with a number of veterinarians and was also involved in building a new facility in Victor in 1979. The new facility is designed to accommodate both small and large animal surgical and treatment areas.
In 2005, Victor Veterinary Associates joined forces with clinics in Brooklyn and Montezuma and was renamed Farm and Family Veterinary Clinics, a name it operates under today.
“The names have changed but the people are the same,” said Dr. Wilgenbusch.
Throughout his career, Dr. Wilgenbusch has been active in his community, school and church. In the words of a resident of his hometown of Victor: “Dr. Wilgenbusch is the perfect example of the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.”
Along with his wife, Susan, Dr. Wilgenbusch has spearheaded several initiatives in the town and has invested his own time and money to keep and create businesses vital to the Victor community. He and Susan are owners of the Victor Market in town.
He has been the Iowa County Fair veterinarian and held member and leadership roles on the Victor Community Development Association (VCDA). His efforts have made significant differences benefitting the citizens of Victor.
As a supporter of the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, he served on the Iowa Livestock Health Advisory Council for six years, representing the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. The past few years, he has served as an interviewer for applicants to the college — an important job in selecting tomorrow’s veterinarians.
In his spare time, Dr. Wilgenbusch continues to work in the clinic when needed and continues to help young veterinarians transition into practice life.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have good partners and associates over the years,” noted Dr. Wilgenbusch. “Maybe a little luck played into that.”
Dr. Wilgenbusch and his wife, Susan, a native of Polk City, met at ISU and were married in 1971. The couple has four children and three granddaughters. The couple resides in Victor.
Editor’s Note: Established in 1998, the Switzer Award is named in honor of Dr. William P. Switzer, distinguished professor emeritus at ISU. Dr. Switzer was a long-time researcher and associate dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. His research led to the development of widely used vaccines for atrophic rhinitis and kennel cough.
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