Al Worth Stinson, known to most everyone as “Doc,” was born on August 5, 1926, in Vance Township, North Carolina, to parents Thomas Wilder and Mary Elizabeth (Mayme) Ballentine Stinson. He was raised on the small family farm in Union County, NC, where he developed his life-long appreciation for animals. After graduating from Indian Trail High School in 1943, he attended North Carolina State University and graduated in 1949 with a BS in Animal Industry. He worked for a year as the Assistant County Farm Agent in Carteret County, NC, before joining the U.S. Army Medical Service Corp as a Food Specialist and Inspector during the Korean War. After leaving the Army in 1953, he enrolled in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. He graduated with a DVM degree in 1956 and then pursued a graduate degree and worked at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine as an Instructor in microscopic anatomy, neuroanatomy, and embryology. He performed graduate studies and research on the electron microscopy of the bovine uterus. It was at the University of Minnesota that he met his wife, Mary Grace Phillips, whom he married on December 26, 1960.
His teaching career continued as an Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, where he performed research work on the electron microscopic anatomy of the bovine rumen with teaching assignments in microscopic anatomy and embryology. In 1964, he was hired as an Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University where his research work continued on the microscopic anatomy of the bovine rumen and also taught microscopic anatomy, histology and animal behavior. He retired from Michigan State as a Professor Emeritus in 1994.
During his life, Dr. Stinson was very involved in dog breeding and protecting the rights of pet and dog owners. He owned and managed Cherrywood Kennels in Williamston, MI, with his son Mark. He served on various boards and held executive positions including Alpha Psi Fraternity, Canine Defense Fund, American Dog Owners Association, Obedience Training Club of Greater Lansing, Michigan Association of Animal Owners, Ingham County Kennel Club, Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, and Huron River Labrador Retriever Club. He also served on the editorial boards of the NC State College Handbook, American Journal of Veterinary Research, Georgia Veterinarian, and Southeastern Veterinarian. He was widely published on the subject of microscopic anatomy and veterinary histology, including teaching programs for veterinary students. Al was also a co-founder and one-time Executive Director of the MSU Pure Bred Dog Endowment Fund which provided financial resources to MSU students for research projects focused on health problems of purebred dogs.
Dr. Stinson received numerous awards during his lifetime including the American Kennel Club Community Achievement Award, University of Georgia Distinguished Alumnus Award, Fred T. Miller Memorial Award from the United Kennel Club, Opal Welch Award from the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, Honorary Alumnus Award Michigan State University, Michigan Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award in the Field of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Stinson was also very involved with the legislature in the State of Michigan, serving on the Michigan Department of Agriculture Dog Law Legislative Committee, the Michigan Department of Agriculture Companion Animal Advisory Committee, and the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association Legislative Advisory Committee.
He is survived by his wife Mary Grace (Phillips) Stinson of Lawrenceville, GA, sons, Paul (Kendra) Stinson of Peachtree Corners, GA, Brian (Kimberly) Stinson of Exeter, NH, and daughter Sarah Stinson (Joel Zink) of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and nine grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Purebred Dog Endowment Fund at Michigan State University (https://givingto.msu.edu/stories/10m-supports-animals-by-supporting-vet-tech-students).
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 from 3:00-4:30 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home located at 1730 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823.
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