Aaron graduated from Princeton, MN high school in 1934. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA; graduating in 1940 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. While in college he was awarded the Lane-Welles Scholarship and was inducted into Phi Zeta Honorary Scholastic Society. Most significantly, he met his beloved wife Gladys Louise Fritz, at ISU. They were married March 28, 1941, in East Grand Forks, MN, and enjoyed over 71 years of loving companionship. From 1940-45 he was a federal meat inspector in northern Minnesota and Dubuque, IA, providing healthy and sanitary meat for US troops at war. In 1945 he established his large animal veterinary practice in Ortonville, MN, where he served the farmers in the surrounding area. He also was a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and served on the local City Council. During that time, he took off two years (1947-48) to join the US Agriculture Division in Mexico, eradicating that country from the world-wide outbreak of Hoof & Mouth disease in livestock (US-Mexico Aftosa Commission).
In 1960 Aaron sold his veterinary practice and joined the US Agency for International Development (AID) as veterinary advisor to third world countries. He established livestock development and disease eradication programs in Ecuador, Uganda, Viet Nam, Mali, Haiti, Iran, and West Africa. While in Ecuador (1960-62), Aaron volunteered his services coordinating and completing the dream of his missionary friend Frank Drown to introduce a viable breed of cattle to the indigenous people of the upper Amazon jungle. Several calves were flown in one by one in a small single engine plane, and the descendants of those calves are still flourishing today. During his time in Uganda (1963-1971) he received the title honorary elder in the Buganda Tribe in recognition of his design and development of a tick eradication spray bath for cattle. His spray bath design became the prototype for spray baths used throughout East Africa. Following his assignment to Vietnam (1971-72) he was awarded the US Medal for Civilian Service in Vietnam.
Upon retiring from his veterinary career, Aaron and Gladys established their residence in Richmond, VA, where he enjoyed many years of golf and bridge. He earned his American Contract Bridge League Life Master Certificate (1993), and enjoyed golf well into his 90's. In 2001 he and Gladys moved to Georgetown, TX, where he continued several more years of golf and bridge. He and Gladys also enjoyed international vacation travel and several extended vacation cruises. Their trip to Finland was especially memorable visiting the hometowns of his parents and meeting extended family members. Aaron and Gladys moved to Austin in 2010. Throughout his adult life he has been a member of the Methodist church, attending regularly wherever they have lived.
Aaron is preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn Elizabeth; his parents, John and Liisa; his sister, Hilda Anteroinen Dorn; and brothers, Edwin Anteroinen and Wayne Anteronen. He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Gladys Louise Fritz; daughters, Mary Jo and husband Steve Rekedal of Austin, TX; and Barbara and husband John Page, of Las Vegas NV; and his sons, David and wife Lu Antroinen of Waldorf, MD; and Jeffrey and wife Sue of La Plata, MD; grandchildren, Catherine (Antroinen) and husband Michael Dilley of Chesapeake, VA; Tom Antroinen of Eaton, NC; Richard and wife Vicki Rekedal of Pasadena, CA; Robin (Rekedal) and husband Steve Smith of Delhi, India; and Erin and Megan Antroinen of La Plata, MD; plus twelve great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Elna Anteroinen DeHarpporte of Minneapolis, MN; and his brother, Arvid and wife Nel Anteroinen of McLean, VA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the compassionate and loving care of all the staff at Arden Courts Alzheimer's Care facility in Austin, and the caregivers and medical staff of Odyssey Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital of Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Assoc.
Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM, Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin, TX 78750. A funeral service will held 3:30 PM, Thursday, October 11, 2012 at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills. The family will host a Reception at their home following the service. Directions will be provided after the service.
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