Manhattan, KS - Dr. Robert G. Gillespie, Brownstown, Ind., is being honored for his work and commitment to the field of veterinary medicine by the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and its Veterinary Medical Alumni Association. Dr. Gillespie will receive a 2007 Alumni Recognition Award at the Central Veterinary Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. Gillespie held a general veterinary practice in Brownstown for 42 years, with special interest in equine and swine medicine. He started the practice on his own and it later built up to a three-man practice. Dr. Gillespie was a leader in his community, and in the state of Indiana’s veterinary medical regulatory and licensing efforts, including several terms as president of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA).

“It is quite an honor to receive this recognition for my career from K-State,” Dr. Gillespie said. “I’ve always felt it was important to keep the basics in veterinary medicine well in mind. These were things that I learned when I studied veterinary medicine at K-State. A veterinarian’s practice will change as you go through life, so if you have the basics then you can change with the times.”

“Dr. Gillespie represents the heart of what veterinary medicine is all about and we’re so proud to honor his life’s work,” Dean Ralph Richardson said. “He is not only a highly skilled veterinarian, but he is an important member of his state’s veterinary association and his hometown community. We think he makes an excellent role model for today’s veterinary students and commend him for setting such a strong professional and personal example.”

Dr. Gillespie attended Hanover (Ind.) College from 1953 to 1955 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., in 1957. He then went to K-State where he earned his DVM in 1961.

While serving as president of the IVMA, Dr. Gillespie played an instrumental part in establishing the Indiana State Disaster Preparedness plan in the early 1990s. During the 1970s and 1980s, he served 15 years as the chairman of veterinary services for the Indiana State Fair, a committee in the IVMA.

“I took in my brother Jack as a partner several years ago to help with the small animal practice so I could devote more time to large animal work and to my sidelines,” Dr. Gillespie said. “He came in as I was starting to do more work through the state veterinary medical association offices.”

Dr. Gillespie sold his practice in 2002 and then became the resident veterinarian for two humane societies. He develops vaccination and parasite programs, diagnoses and treats sick dogs and cats, and neuters or spays all adopted animals. Dr. Gillespie also serves three trail ride camps as emergency veterinarian.

“I am also an auctioneer and have helped Purdue raise more than $300,000 in the last 10 or 12 years by doing their annual auction during their short course program,” Dr. Gillespie said.

He was named Indiana Veterinarian of the Year in1986 and received the Brownstown Outstanding Citizen Award in 2004. Dr. Gillespie also received the Jackson County Swine Breeders Award of Merit in 2002. He is a member of the American Association of Swine Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, Indiana Equine Practitioners Association and American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). Dr. Gillespie was president of United States Pony Trotting Association, 1976-1979; vice president, president elect and president of IVMA, 1990, 1991 and 1992; chair, Indiana Licensing Board, 2000, 2001 and 2002; and chair, Model Practice Act Committee, AAVSB, 2005 and 2006.

Dr. Gillespie is a 30-year member of the local Lions Club and has held all offices at the Brownstown Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Jacque, have two children: Letitia and James, and three grandchildren.