Anthony A. "Tony" Stannard was remembered Thursday as a brilliant researcher, an expert on equine skin disorders, a popular teacher and "the conscience" of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Colleagues who reminisced about the 56-year-old professor were still in shock over his sudden death July 2, 1997. He apparently suffered a heart attack at his Davis residence after taking his dog for a walk.
Dr. Stannard first came to Davis as a freshman starting undergraduate studies. He earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree there in 1964 and a Ph.D. in 1971.
"I always viewed him as the conscience of the school," said Peter Ihrke, a fellow professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine. "He had this tremendous sense of fairness.
"As a teacher, he didn't put himself on a pedestal in front of the students," Ihrke said. "He treated them all as fellow professionals . . . and earned their respect."
As a pioneer in veterinary dermatology, Dr. Stannard was an internationally known expert whose advice was frequently sought from practicing veterinarians, recalled Ed Rhode, former dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.
He was a founder of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology who served on the editorial board of Veterinary Dermatology, the only international journal devoted to that speciality.
He published more than 50 scientific papers and delivered more than 180 presentations to professional groups around the world. At the time of his death, he was a professor and chairman of the medicine and epidemiology department in the School of Veterinary Medicine.
"He was a wonderful person, very inspirational," Rhode said. "He was quite blunt in the way he presented himself, but was widely respected by everyone here at the school. I don't know anyone who was more respected."
A native of Los Angeles, he was a 1958 graduate of South Pasadena High School.
Survivors include his wife, Jan Stannard of Davis; sons, Jason of San Diego and Randall of San Luis Obispo; father and stepmother, Ronald and Lila Stannard of Cameron Park; and a brother, Robert of Gilroy.
Sacramento Bee, July 11, 1997
