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Mrs. Anissa Riley,

Office of External Affairs,School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL 36088, (334)724-4509, FAX: (334)727-8177, Email: riley@tuskegee.edu

College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health Mourns Death of Director of Diagnostic Laboratory Services

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (October 30, 2009) - The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health is saddened with the recent death of Leonard H. Billups, DVM, DACVP. He was the director of Diagnostics Laboratory Services.

Billups was an admired and respected academician, accomplished pathologist, talented artist and gardener. He died on Oct. 28, and is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.

“Dr. Billups was a true academician in every sense of the word. He was passionate about pathology and it was easy to see that he loved what he did. Dr. Billups was one who went beyond the call of duty and would gladly offer assistance to others along his path,” said Dr. Tsegaye Habtemariam, Dean, Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health. “His legacy will endure as an individual at peace with himself, in touch with reality and beyond all, an altruistic intellectual. He was not a complainer but instead a person with a positive attitude always seeking a solution and willing to compromise and help out when necessary. Our condolences go out to his family. He will truly be missed.“

In 1961, Billups received an Artium Baccalaureus in Biology from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. After receiving the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee Institute in 1965, he worked as an instructor in the Department of Pathology for one year at Tuskegee. In 1968, he completed a residency in veterinary pathology at the Armed Force Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C. In 1972, he achieved Board Certification in Veterinary Pathology from the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Billups also served his country admirably as commander of the 422nd Medical Detachment, Rockville, Md. (1985-1989), and retired as Colonel of the United States Army Veterinary Corps, USAR in 1995. He returned to Tuskegee University to serve his alma mater as Associate Dean for Administration in the School of Veterinary Medicine. He served as Associate Professor of Pathology and as Director of the College’s Diagnostic Services until his death. Billup’s veterinary medical career in pathology covered a 44-year period in which he served as instructor in pathology, staff officer in the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, veterinary pathologist, staff pathologist, experimental pathologist, consultant in environmental pathology, pathology fellow, and associate professor of pathology.

Billups had five published chapters in textbooks and syllabi and 13 refereed journals in which he was either the author or one of the co-authors. He was also involved in research throughout his career, and at Tuskegee, he supported the emergence of junior faculty in need of anatomical and morphological services.

Especially noteworthy was the establishment of the Leonard and Harriet Billups Endowment Fund by him and his family. They started the endowment in 2004 to strengthen veterinary pathology and laboratory animal medicine programs by enhancing the development and maintenance of residency training within the School of Veterinary Medicine.

The funeral service for Dr. Leonard H. Billups is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 at 11 a.m., Tuskegee University Chapel. Viewing will be at 10 a.m. in the Tuskegee University Chapel. Harris Funeral Home (515 South 6th Street, Opelika, AL 36801; phone 334-749-6583) is directing. In lieu of flowers, a tax deductible contribution may be made to the Leonard and Harriet Billups Endowment Fund. Please make checks payable to the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine (place Leonard and Harriet Billups Endowment Fund on the check MEMO line) and mail to Angela Smith-Bascomb, Office of the Dean, Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee, AL 36088. Expressions of condolences may be sent to the family at: 1737 Talhiem Street, Auburn, AL 36832.