Recognition Awards
Dr. Playter receives alumni award from K-State during veterinary conference
Dr. Robert Playter, Brenham, Texas, has been
selected by Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine
to receive a 2008 Alumni Recognition Award at the Western Veterinary
Conference in Las Vegas, on Feb. 18. Dean Ralph Richardson will
present the award on behalf of the Kansas State University
Veterinary Medical Alumni Association.
Dr. Playter is retired from Texas A&M University as a veterinary
educator and administrator who specialized in ophthalmology. He was
born in Perth, Australia, but grew up in Great Neck, N.Y. After
serving in the Army from 1955 to 1957, he earned a bachelor’s degree
in agriculture in 1959 and a DVM in 1961, both from K-State.
“Attending Kansas State was one of the best decisions I ever made,”
Dr. Playter said. “Coming from a family of Midwestern mining
engineers, my animal interests were a bit of a throwback. I had no
previous contact with K-State, but knew they offered a renowned
animal husbandry. My wife is from western Kansas and my
brother-in-law was instrumental in my choice of veterinary medicine
following my discharge from the Army. It is hard to believe that 50
years have passed since I entered veterinary school and to be
recognized for your career by your colleagues, friends and your alma
mater is a real honor. It is a capstone to what has been a great
career. Thank you!”
“Dr. Playter is highly accomplished and highly respected for his
professional career,” said Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of
Veterinary Medicine. “His service to the profession and to the field
of veterinary education is expansive and impressive. We take great
pride in recognizing Dr. Playter’s accomplishments with this award.”
Dr. Playter operated a mixed, private practice in Hays, Kan., from
1961 to 1970. He then attended Texas A&M and earned a master’s
degree in veterinary medicine and surgery, and joined the faculty as
an assistant professor in the small animal clinic. In 1975, he
became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Ophthalmologists.
Concurrently, Dr. Playter advanced professionally to become an
associate professor, full professor, and department head of small
animal medicine and surgery at Texas A&M. He was chosen to be the
director of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Cornell
University, Ithaca, N.Y., which he held from 1985 to 1990. Dr.
Playter then returned to Texas A&M as the associate dean for
Clinical & Outreach Programs, hospital director and director of the
continuing education program for their College of Veterinary
Medicine from 1990 to 1996.
For the next year, Dr. Playter resumed teaching, but in 1997 was
asked to serve as the interim dean for the college. From 1998 to
1999, he was then appointed to the title of executive associate
dean. He retired in June 1999.
Dr. Playter is a member of several veterinary organizations
including the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, Texas
Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical
Association, the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians and
the American Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology. He has served on
numerous committees and in several leadership positions in these
various organizations. He also was a trustee for a skilled nursing
facility and held numerous eye clinics for the evaluation of dogs
for inherited ocular disease.
Dr. Playter received the Norden Laboratories Distinguished Teacher
Award in 1975, Public Service Award from Brazos County Humane
Society in 1980, and he was on the Phi Zeta Honorary Veterinary
Society in 1982 and Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society for Agriculture
in 1987.
Dr. Playter’s wife, Kay, also attended K-State. The Playters have
three adult children: Jodi, Lynn and Rob, and 4 granddaughters.