Dr. Robert Bruce Hollett, 66 years old, resident of Wits End, Athens, passed away of pancreatic cancer on April 23, 2013. Bruce, as he was known to his family and friends, and Dr. Hollett, as he was known in his profession of being a Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the Vet School of The University of Georgia since 1989, earned his BS degree in Animal Husbandry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI), Blacksburg, VA in 1968, his DVM from UGA in 1972, and his MS in Pharmacology from Purdue University in 1974.
Bruce was the veterinarian for Arthur Hancock’s Stone Farm Thoroughbred Racing in Paris, KY from 1981–1985, during the reign of the Kentucky Derby winner, Gato Del Sol. He then returned to UGA to join the faculty of the Vet School for the rest of his illustrious and lengthy career. He served as the head of continuing education for the Vet School for 21 years as well as served as the Executive Committee Chair on the University Council for 2008-2009. He received numerous awards including the Charles N. Dobbins Service Award in 2004, A.M. Mills Award in 2002, Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Equine Practitioners in 2000, and was a founding charter officer for the Georgia Equine Practitioners Association.
In 2001 he began working with UGA line of mascots and became the Ugas’ personal veterinarian in the ensuing years. The Seiler family of Savannah, who own the Uga line, even named one bulldog for Hollett. “Big Bad Bruce” was Uga VIII, serving for part of the 2010 football season before an untimely death.
Bruce is survived by his wife Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Weaver Hollett and his four children; Mary Elyse Hollett Giles (Dr. Douglas, D.C.), Andrea Hollett DeCook (Dr. Charles, MD), Robert Bruce Hollett, Jr., Beau, (Leah) and Todd Hollett, along with his beloved thirteen grandchildren
Bruce is also survived by his two older brothers, RADM. Grant T. Hollett, Jr., 70, (Lynn) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and John Stewart Hollett, 67, (Trink) of Jacksonville, FL. He is predeceased by both his father, Grant T. Hollett in 2001, and his mother, Mary Elizabeth Wildey Hollett.
Funeral services will be held 3PM Monday, April 29th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Julian Dr. Interment will follow at Rosewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7PM Sunday, April 28th at Bernstein Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com
Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
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