Walter D.V.M.

Hastings resident, Walter E. Long D.V.M., 87, passed away Monday, June 30, 2014 at his home.

Services will be Thursday, July 3, 2014; 10:30 A.M. at Berean Bible Church, Hastings with Pastor Paul Knott officiating. Burial will be Thursday, July 3, 2014; 1:00 P.M. in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church on Thursday. Memorials may be given to Berean Bible Church, Christian Veterinary Mission or NCTA Scholarship Fund for veterinary technicians.

Walter was born May 8, 1927 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Paul & Ethel (Rusher) Long. He graduated from Teachers College High School, Lincoln in 1944. Walter then attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln for one year. Receiving his active duty papers on his birthday in 1945, he served his country state side in the U.S. Navy as an electronic technician. In 1946 he continued his education gaining a degree in Vocational Agriculture. He taught for three years in Minatare, Nebraska as an Agricultural and Physics teacher where he started the shop. Walt applied to Colorado A&M (Colorado State) for the veterinary school, and was accepted. He graduated in 1956 with a doctor of veterinary medicine degree. Walt built and started his own practice in Burwell, Nebraska. He and his son, Paul, married Judith Binderup on May 28, 1960. Walt sold his practice in 1968 and became the department head and developed the Veterinary Technology Program at the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska (Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture). It was the first program to be accredited in the United States. He received the NVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award in 1989. Walt was a member and served on many committees such as NVMA (Nebraska Veterinary Medicine Association), AVMA (American Veterinary Medicine Association), AVTE (American Veterinary Technician Education), FFA, 4-H, Nebraska Agricultural Vocational Teachers, and Gideons. In 1990, he retired as Professor Emeritus and moved to Hastings. He and Judie traveled for Christian Veterinary Mission. He had a cow/calf operation, raised registered quarter horses, loved farming, flying his Stinson, fishing, duck and deer hunting. Walt sang bass in the Chorus of the Plains. Walt always was interested in current events and politics. He loved God, his country and his family.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Chloe Long; and a special cousin, Paul Hanson.

Survivors include:
Wife:
Judie Long - Hastings, NE
Son:
Paul Long - Virginia Beach, VA
Daughters & Son-in-law:
Rebecka Long - Hastings, NE
Andrea (Long) & Glenn Perlow - Concord, NH
Grandchildren:
Aimee Long - Virginia Beach, VA
Gabriel Perlow - Concord, NH
Alexandra Perlow - Concord, NH
Special Cousin:
Mary Lou Pritchard - Lincoln, NE