Roger Spencer P D, June 22, 1916 — April 27, 2019

Roger Spencer, PhD June 22, 1916 – April 27, 2019 Send Sympathy Gifts Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card| Memorial Donation Guy Roger Spencer, PhD, 102, a retired professor of veterinary pathology at WSU died of heart failure on April 27, 2019 at the Robville Adult Family Home in Pullman, WA. He was born June 22, 1916, at Whiting, Kansas, the third child of Mable and Guy Spencer. He attended rural grade and high schools at Whiting.

He also attended Kansas State University, receiving a D.V. M. degree in 1940. He received graduate degrees in Veterinary Science and Veterinary Pathology from the University of Wisconsin and was a member of the faculty in the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine during that period. On December 31, 1939, he married Irene Anna Joy and they lived together until she died in 1993.

They had three sons by natural birth and adopted three daughters and a son for a total of seven children. They also kept six different foster children at various times. On July 4, 1996 he married Esther H. Anderson and she died in 2007.

Spencer’s hobbies were archery, photography, music, sailing, gardening, elk hunting and horse packing. Spencer was a volunteer member of the U.S. Navel Reserve and served on active duty during WWII. He considered that his best professional contributions were his research on the control of mastitis in cows and the development of a training program for veterinary pathologist at WSU.

He had 55 scientific papers published. In the 1950’s he was Director of outside research grants to WSU of more than $500,000. Similar outside grants in the 1960’s totaled more than $1,500,000.

He served overseas as a consultant for the World Bank and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Survivors include sons Paul and David at Pullman, WA. , Lee at Corvallis, OR.

, Ivan Sam at Brooklyn, NY. , daughters Bonnie in the Netherlands, Nara Rosen at Beaverton, OR. , Dena Spencer-Curtis at Pullman, WA.

, 12 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. Roger will be laid to rest with his wife Irene at the Pullman City Cemetery. No public services have been scheduled at this time.

Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements.

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