Dr. Alan Kent Kremer, 72, of Shullsburg, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 19, 2009.
Alan was born on March 21, 1937, in Harvey, IL, the son of Henry and Helen (Berkley) Kremer. He was united in marriage to Marsha Lynne Walther at the 2nd Congregational Church of Rockford, IL, on August 15, 1959. He attended Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, from 1956-59 and then graduated from the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine in 1965.
He practiced veterinary medicine in Orangeville, IL. and in partnership at Shullsburg Veterinary Service until he opened his own private practice, Badger Veterinary Service, in Shullsburg. He served the community for close to forty years. His practice interests included bovine reproductive medicine, bovine embryo transfer, small animal surgery, and aquaculture medicine. After retirement from private practice, he worked as a federal veterinarian for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service until the time of his death.
He was an inventor and designer and held the patent for the Daytona motorcycle fairing. He was a talented musician and arranger, and his participation in barbershop harmony delighted the many audiences who heard him sing and listened to his corny jokes and stories. He directed the Monroe and Dubuque barbershop choruses and sang with several quartets, at one time competing in the International Barbershop Quartet finals.
He was passionate about sharing his love for aviation. He worked tirelessly as a Young Eagle Field Representative, donating his time to give over 100 young people their first airplane ride, hoping to ignite in them a lifetime interest in flying.
He loved his cows and established BVET Genetics to do embryo transfers with his own purebred Gelbvieh cattle, as well as for his clients. His involvement in the cattle industry included serving for several years as co-chairman of the Gelbvieh show and sale at Iowa Beef Expo and at the World Beef Expo, Madison, WI.
Dr. Kremer was an inquisitive gentle man who was able to heal the weakest among us and always stood up for the working man and fought for decency and justice. He served on the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors, believing that positive change is possible through community involvement in politics.
Alan is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Marsha; his precious children, Kevin (Linda) of Belvidere, IL, Clayton (Deborah) of Woodstock, GA, Kelly of Hales Corners, WI, and Charles of McKinney, TX; his grandchildren, Brandi (Jeremy) Lewin, Jenny Kremer, Anamarie Di Tulio, and Danielle Kremer; and his great-grandchildren, Sydney and Lena Lewin. His parents and his brother, Karl, preceded him in death.
A memorial celebration of his life was held in Shullsburg on Wednesday, August 26. During that time, his Piper Tomahawk airplane was flown over the town in tribute to his lifetime enthusiasm for aviation. Memorials in Alan's name may be made to Navajo Ministries, P.O. Box 1230, Farmington, NM 87499; Hodan Center Inc., 941 Fountain St., Mineral Point, WI 53565; or Young Eagles c/o Experimental Aircraft Association, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086.
Alan was born on March 21, 1937, in Harvey, IL, the son of Henry and Helen (Berkley) Kremer. He was united in marriage to Marsha Lynne Walther at the 2nd Congregational Church of Rockford, IL, on August 15, 1959. He attended Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, from 1956-59 and then graduated from the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine in 1965.
He practiced veterinary medicine in Orangeville, IL. and in partnership at Shullsburg Veterinary Service until he opened his own private practice, Badger Veterinary Service, in Shullsburg. He served the community for close to forty years. His practice interests included bovine reproductive medicine, bovine embryo transfer, small animal surgery, and aquaculture medicine. After retirement from private practice, he worked as a federal veterinarian for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service until the time of his death.
He was an inventor and designer and held the patent for the Daytona motorcycle fairing. He was a talented musician and arranger, and his participation in barbershop harmony delighted the many audiences who heard him sing and listened to his corny jokes and stories. He directed the Monroe and Dubuque barbershop choruses and sang with several quartets, at one time competing in the International Barbershop Quartet finals.
He was passionate about sharing his love for aviation. He worked tirelessly as a Young Eagle Field Representative, donating his time to give over 100 young people their first airplane ride, hoping to ignite in them a lifetime interest in flying.
He loved his cows and established BVET Genetics to do embryo transfers with his own purebred Gelbvieh cattle, as well as for his clients. His involvement in the cattle industry included serving for several years as co-chairman of the Gelbvieh show and sale at Iowa Beef Expo and at the World Beef Expo, Madison, WI.
Dr. Kremer was an inquisitive gentle man who was able to heal the weakest among us and always stood up for the working man and fought for decency and justice. He served on the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors, believing that positive change is possible through community involvement in politics.
Alan is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Marsha; his precious children, Kevin (Linda) of Belvidere, IL, Clayton (Deborah) of Woodstock, GA, Kelly of Hales Corners, WI, and Charles of McKinney, TX; his grandchildren, Brandi (Jeremy) Lewin, Jenny Kremer, Anamarie Di Tulio, and Danielle Kremer; and his great-grandchildren, Sydney and Lena Lewin. His parents and his brother, Karl, preceded him in death.
A memorial celebration of his life was held in Shullsburg on Wednesday, August 26. During that time, his Piper Tomahawk airplane was flown over the town in tribute to his lifetime enthusiasm for aviation. Memorials in Alan's name may be made to Navajo Ministries, P.O. Box 1230, Farmington, NM 87499; Hodan Center Inc., 941 Fountain St., Mineral Point, WI 53565; or Young Eagles c/o Experimental Aircraft Association, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086.