John Charles Dahl
January 30, 1928 - May 5, 2014

"John. I bear your name, and my brother Larry bears your twin brother Lawrence's name. We are proud to carry those names. Yes, as a brother to my mother Dorothy Dahl Flett, you are my uncle but I have never called you that. You are simply John, and I address your lovely wife as Dorothy. In my eyes, you both have always been young and vibrant, too close to my age and too familiar to be 'titled'. My first memories of you are as a recent graduate from Agriculture, living close by to us in Winnipeg with your new wife Dorothy, probably in 1952. The next time I saw you was about 1957 when mum drove we three kids down to visit Gam, you and Dorothy, Lawrence and Opal. That must have been chaos! And just what you needed in the way of distraction when establishing a new vet practice. The next memory is of your visit to our place on Kingston Row, with a car full of kids and probably the first automobile tape sound system - all music by Eddy Arnold! In spite of this the boys survived - and multiplied. Moving on through the decades - There was lots of science concerning mastitis in dairy cattle, recognition by your peers, a long stint running a major dairy equipment company, and a serious car crash that you survived, according to you, solely due to engineering of your Mercedes Benz. Finally, upon joining the University of Wisconsin as director of the Vet teaching hospital, you were in your sweet spot as a vet and educator. This is a full life. There has been pain but Dorothy has been there for you, and you for her. There has also been much joy to spread around. Your visits have always been memorable and appreciated - highly animated discussion intermixed with lots of laughter! I can't imagine a better way to spend some time. Thinking of you often - John Flett with Erin, daughters Caroline and Sarah. "

"About two years ago, John asked if I would be willing to offer a eulogy at his funeral. It was a startling request at the time, but I was honored by it and as a long-time friend, I said yes and promptly dismissed the thought until this week. As chance would have it, I am sitting in an airport in Italy collecting my thoughts about John. Some visual images come to mind. I see his calm smile, I recall that he usually wore soft comfortable brown shoes, and then I visualize that bolo tie. Yes, that bolo tie. There have been wide ties, narrow ties, short ties, not ties, and then there was John's bolo. We wondered where he got it. We wondered why he got it. We wondered if it would ever wear out. We talked about stealing it. As I sit in this airport in Italy today, I wonder if he is wearing that bolo today? Over time, that bolo tie came to epitomize John. Quite indifferent to popularity and fashion, fiercely independent, practical and efficient. Although we had hundreds of conversations, I find that there are huge gaps in my knowledge of John's life. I know that he grew up in Winnipeg and that he had an identical twin brother and that he loved hockey. I recall seeing a painting of his boyhood home. While his career has been spent working in fields related to agriculture, it would be a mistake to think that he had always been attracted to farming. It is my understanding that when he was attending college, he learned that a particular professor of poultry science told great jokes so he signed up for the course. Ultimately, he took all of the courses offered by that professor and I sometimes wonder if he ended up with a major in agriculture accidentaly because of those jokes. I recall him telling that he was thinking about pursing a research-based PhD degree, but this same professor told him that he did not have a personality for research and that he should consider becoming a veterinarian. John attended veterinary college at the University of Minnesota and subsequently began private veterinary practice in Clintonville, Wisconsin. Somewhere during those years, he also owned and managed a dairy farm with some of his colleagues from the veterinary practice. He loved to say that he knew that there was a lot of money in dairy farming because he had put a lot of money into it and never saw it again. I will not digress into technical discussions of John's accomplishments in the veterinary profession, but let me say that he leaves a huge legacy of achievement. He had great vision for emerging ideas and where those ideas might go. He had a tremendous capacity to make things happen. His career path is an amazing story. He began his career as practicing veterinarian and became the president of an international milking system manufacturing company and subsequently the director of the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. This is not an ordinary career path and it does not happen by accident. In each step, it was his personality, vision, and capability that opened each door. He has been recognized by the veterinary profession in many ways over the decades. He has served as President of our Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, he has received many awards that I will not list. Even now in 2014, he is one of two nominees for a lifetime achievement award from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Veterinarians across North America will be voting over the coming months and the award will be presented this fall at the annual convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If John is selected, he will become only the fourth person in our profession to be recognized in this way. His impact is profound and his legacy is truly special. But enough of careers and work, and let me mention his golf game. I never golfed with him, but he frequently insisted that I admire various devices that he had purchased to improve his game. "A sucker for devices," I would call him. For example, I recall seeing him with a leather headband from which a weight was suspended by a fine nylon cord. He would stand over a golf ball holding a putter, the weight dangling near his ankles and the nylon cord passing from the headband down between his eyes. With all of this in place, he would stabilize the suspended bobber and try to leave it motionless while tapping the golf ball. This is one of those moments where a photo would be priceless. Many times, John would recount the stories in the lives of his boys. He and Dorothy raised four sons, an experience that they had in common with me and my wife, Jean. Both of us were very proud of our boys, and sometimes as the stories would wind down, he would look at me, raise a glass and say, "Congratulations to both of us, Ken. Each of us have raised four boys and there's not a single one of them in jail." And I would raise my glass and say "Skal" I admired John and Dorothy's marriage many, many times over the years. They were gracious hosts, active parents, proud grandparents, and participants in their church and community. I frequently admired John's steady support of Dorothy through health difficulties some years ago. Then their roles seemed to reverse and I have admired the strength that Dorothy has provided for John during these last few years of his life. Career, family, friends...John was special. Rather than say that that we will miss him, I'd prefer to say that we will think of him. For each of you who are able to attend the service, along with the hundreds of old friends who cannot, I expect that there will be cumulative thousands of moments where memories of John will unexpectedly arrive. There will be memories of his favorite sayings and the things he might do, and most of those memories will elicit a smile. And then there was that bolo tie. "

"Sorry I can't be with you today but my thoughts are with you and the family. We have so many good memories of over the years. The big house on Wellington Crescent when the guys were in university. Later the golf games and dinners at the Iola golf course. So many laughs. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family."

"I am so sorry to hear that Uncle John has left us. I, and my bothers (John and Larry Flett), have so many fond memories of John and Dorothy's visiting us in Winnipeg throughout my childhood - I never wanted to miss a minute of their visits because they were both such wonderfu people. I can remember John and Dorothy making all those great felt crests and other items as a way of paying his way through college. I have been told(althought I don't really remember) that John and the bothers used to change my diapers, hold my bottom up in the air and brag about their results - in the war years when Mom (Dottie Flett) and I (the first gandchild) lived with the family on Wellington Cresc. I also remember hearing how John won an award for the most gentlemanly hockey player at U. of Manitoba, and how John and Lawrence cracked up when they were invited to "a tea" at one of the local frat houses. When I was young, Uncle John wrote in my autograph book: "The lightening flashed, the thunder roared, and all the world was shaken, a little pig curled up his tail and ran to save his bacon. -I'll dance at your wedding, Janie." True to his promise, John came and gave the toast to the bride at our wedding. Mom and I used to drive down to Wisconsin every summer to visit John, Dorothy, Lawrence, and Gam. They were wonderful times that I shall never forget (also remember Mom driving the Olds at 95 mph down the highway to Madison while Dad stayed at home and drove moms A40 Austen- into another car it turns out, but got it fixed without our knowing before we came home). How lucky we all were to have such wonderful times and such a great family - and having Uncle John holding us all together by e-mail for so many years. Losing this last connection with John and the past is heart wrenching. Hopefully, John will be at peace somewhere united with the rest of the family. My very best wishes to all of the family. Janet (Flett) Pavlin"

"I was so sorry to hear of John's passing. My first experience with John came when I needed a blood transfusion for a canine patient and he helped me get that needed blood from the UW-SVM greyhound blood donors. Later, I was elected to the AVMA House of Delegates in 1996 as Alternate Delegate when John was Delegate. He was the conscience of the HOD at that time and I learned so much from him. He led the charge at AVMA to ban aminoglycocides from food animals because of drug residues. I had the utmost respect for John and looked up to him as a mentor and highly respected colleague. He made a big difference in so many ways in veterinary medicine. I miss him. My thoughts are with his very special wife, Dorothy."

"I remember Dr. Dahl well. He was Hospital Director when I was a student at the SVM and he always seemed to have a smile on his face whenever I saw him. He is fondly remembered here by all and we were so sorry to hear of his passing."

"I enjoy many fond memories of a special friend and colleague over many years. I am more than grateful for John's invaluable service and contributions in his role as first director of the UW Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. I always have a big smile when I look at the framed photos of county highway signs that he gave to me (a special "inside" joke)."

"Dear family For those of you who don't know me, I am you cousin Eppie.My Mom and your granma Leona were sisters so John and I were 1st cousins. I was fortunate to have had the chance to spend a lot of time with John in my growing up years.. when they were in college they would come to wisconsin in the summer and work on the cousins, Art Miller and BillPolk's farms.. I went to the farms every year just cuz I liked to go and I think my Mom your aunt Dot was glad to have a break..the farms were in the Big Falls and Tigerton area. what we in Rhinelander called "down below. so my summers were filled with lots of love and laughter..Between both of them there was never a dull moment.We would sit on the porches after the chores and supper was done and be entertained by the 2 of them,They could have been in Vaude-ville. such wonderful times . Aunt Leona and Uncle Henry would come to Rhinelander nearly every summer with the twins to see The grandparents John and Delia Lewis,and Aunt Dot . then they would go on to other parts of wis to visit more family, and guess what ?? they would take me with them..Better known as the brat.. So there was more time spent with my auntie and best cousins..I could go on and on with the telling of some of the outrageous tricks that would take place on those trips.. The last time I saw John was when I brought Aunt Ethelyn's body home to be buried as I promised her I would. Brought Mom along too and of course John shad a reception and a big family gathering. lots of folks As you know the Lewis and Block family aren't known to be a quiet and calm family..I'm putting this nicely. Thank you John for all the wonderful and crazy times we had..The memories of my child hood and early teen years with your harassment.. You will be with your beloved Mom and Twin and all the rest making jokes.. I will be with you again some day .Love Eppie AKA Brat"

"John Dahl was my favorite uncle - brother to Larry's mother Dorothy (also known as Dot or Dottie). I think I first met Uncle John when he and Aunt Dorothy came to Dot's funeral in September 1982. Three month's later, Larry's father Bert passed away. I will always remember the knock on our door and seeing Uncle John standing there in the hallway of our apartment in North Kildonan, Winnipeg. And I will never forget his words - "I couldn't leave the family alone at a time like this." Whenever John and Dorothy came to Manitoba to visit family in the summer, they would also come to visit us at Devil's Gap on Lake of the Woods, Ontario, at the cottage where Bert and Dot had lived for a couple of years following Bert's retirement. He was there for our wedding, for Christmas in July and the many other good times we enjoyed there. John, Dorothy and Larry would have their annual golf game at Kenora Golf & Country Club (before I got hooked on the game in BC). John and Dorothy also came with John and Florence Mahon to visit us in Victoria, BC one summer, where we had relocated from Winnipeg in 1989. We also have many happy memories of visits with John, Dorothy, Amy and Don in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where we started holidaying every year since Christmas 2002. We would often have them over for New Year's Eve dinner, and we enjoyed many golf games with Uncle John over the years. We miss all the letters he used to write and how he would try to keep the extended family in touch with one another through e-mail. I'm certain Larry has many other happy memories of Uncle John. I know he loved his storytelling, as did I. Maggi and Larry Flett Victoria, BC "

"Dear Auntie Dorothy, Chris, Bruce, Andy and Glenn I learned the news of Uncle John's passing shortly before I had a performance in Vancouver. I have never been that distracted as I sat listening to the music. But I closed my eyes and let the music wash over me with the firm belief that he had re-joined his family. It is hard to believe that all the Dahl siblings have passed. I know it must have been really hard to have been the last surviving child. Uncle John was so lost when Uncle Lawrence passed. I find comfort in believing that he is reunited with Gam and Grandad, my dad and all his siblings. I can hear the laughter and see the tears that Dad and John would be sharing. I loved Uncle John's 'missives' as I think Dad called them. I had this overwhelming feeling that Uncle John would at long last be satisfied and all his questions will be answered. I loved that he wrote down his thoughts about his faith, politics and world challenges. Tho the time was brief that he shared his thoughts in emails with all his family,nieces and nephews too, it was a privilege to be invited into his reflections. I remember spring trips and summer trips down to Wisconsin with such fondness. Playing basketball on the front drive at your home. There were always golf games for the men and shopping for the women. The friendly pooch, a spaniel I think, that would greet us. Trips to fancy milking barns as one brother (Lew) tried to learned about the others (John's) world. Oh how I wish I had a better memory for specific occasions but every trip at some point in time an ice cube needed to make its way down Uncle John's back from his older brother Lew. All Dad had to do was walk behind Uncle John and he would jump for fear of the cold shock of ice or being poked in the ribs! And oh the LAUGHTER! I was so fortunate to have reunions of the Dahl family circle around a singing events that I was in; Winnipeg, Vancouver, St Louis and New York. Whether it was sitting outside in the tent in St Louis, Trish and Joe's beautiful home in Vancouver, an over crowded hotel room at the Empire Hotel in NY, an elegant dining experience in Central Park or the familiar surroundings of our family homes in Winnipeg we never ran out of things to talk about. Uncle John was so proud of his children and even claimed bragging rights to his niece when he sat in his seat at the Metropolitan opera. His travels to China with Chris are ones that though specific memories I cannot recall I do recall that awe and the heart with which he recalled that time. His grandchildren made his world larger. Uncle John and Auntie Dorothy came out to Winnipeg many times. They were one of the first people to meet our first pet, Chloe, our border collie. He was quick to give advice about the safety of our children around our dog. He would be happy to know both our dogs have been lovely family pets. Then there were some pretty funny conversations about mastitis. You would have thought I was a bovine! I guess what is good for the guernsey cow is good for the descendants of Guernsey Island.Thanks for all the good advice Uncle John. A few years ago Raymond and I were travelling in the Wisconsin area and called in the hopes of visiting with Uncle John and Aunt Dorothy. Uncle John declined saying that they were not up to a visit. We were very disappointed not to get to see them. Uncle John called us in Winnipeg several times after that just calling to say hello. He was sorry that he hadn't let us drop in. Well Uncle John, a week ago I was thinking of you after a visit I had had with my mom and thought I should call Uncle John and Aunt Dorothy but I didn't follow through. Now I am the one who is wishing I could turn back the clock. We are none of us perfect and we all have regrets and things we wish we could do over. So we both wish we had made those moments together happen. I will cherish the memories of the times we did share. Several photos will always be etched in my mind; a conversation John and I had in a small hotel bathroom that dad captured on film. One photo from Gam's 80th birthday of Uncle Lawrence and Uncle John laughing, taken in the garage where we had set up a huge dining room table. One of the twins holding Gam up in the air and her all smiles and photos of the family under the tent in St Louis, he and Aunt Dorothy such an attractive couple. I don't want to finish this letter because it means saying Good bye. My childhood was made richer by the times we spent at the farm and visiting our Wisconsin relatives. God Bless you. Raymond and I send our love, hugs and heart felt condolences. Love Tracy Dahl"

"John was my 1st cousin. John's mother, Aunt Leona, and my father, Hilliard Harrison Lewis, were sister and brother. Hill came to Arizona and then to New Mexico after the 1st World War. He raised his family in Albuquerque and he and my mother, Margaret, are buried at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. John visited Albuquerque and attended a medical convention many years ago. He visited with my brothers, Claude and Hilliard, and my husband, Norman, and I at our home in Albuquerque. It was very special for us to meet a cousin from Wisconsin. I still have a picture of the 4 of us. What a beautiful memory I have of that visit. As a 20 year old in the early 50's, my father, mother Margaret, and I visited Rhinelander, Wisconsin. We visited cousin Lawrence, Aunt Dot (Rude) and cousin Eppie Rude, Aunt Ethelyn Lewis, Uncle John and wife (Aunt Florence) and daughter Joy, and Grandmother Delia's brother, Uncle Gus. Beautiful memories. John and I did correspond some but not enough. I thank Maggie Flett for notifying me. Dorothy, John's cousins in New Mexico send you happy memories and our prayers. John's Cousin, Dottie"

"My deepest sympathies to the Dahl family. Dr. Dahl was a leader of leaders in the veterinary profession. He led by example, he walked the talk, and he did it all with a great sense of humor and a kind disposition. He made a positive impact on many lives, both human and bovine."

"I fondly remember the fun times we had visiting Uncle John and Auntie Dorothy at their home at Clintonville. I especially remember the teasing that went on between Uncle John and Uncle Lawrence and my Dad, Lew Dahl. Uncle John would call my dad "Louie" to bug him. But then he would proudly tell us what a great skater and hockey player his big brother was. Uncle John and Auntie Dorothy visited our home in Winnipeg fairly often as part of their Portage visits. Uncle John always showed great interest in each of us by carrying on personal conversations. I was happy when he had a visit (perhaps an interview) with my new boyfriend, and then told my dad that he was a "keeper". Earl and I have now been married 31 years, so Uncle John was also a good judge of character. We send our love and sympathy to Auntie Dorothy and our cousins, Chris, Bruce, Andy and Glenn, and their families. We know that Uncle John will be greatly missed. Love, Kristin (Dahl) and Earl Isaak Winnipeg, Manitoba"

"To the Dahl family, I extend my prayers and thoughts. I still remember going to the Dahl family home in the 1970s and hanging out. Regards, Brice Arndt"

"How we all LOVED our Uncle John! My siblings and I have such fun memories indelibly etched in our collective memories: John bursting into our house in Winnipeg on unexpected visits, bellowing at the top of his lungs, announcing his presence to one and all whilst gathering our mother Carol, into a great bear hug; John devouring almost an entire boxful of Paulin's chocolate puffs with not so much as a scold from our Mom ( much to our astonishment!)...John holding forth with great gusto on any and all topics; John, vitally interested in veterinary medicine, science, religion, politics and able to converse with anyone about almost anything; John, thoughtful and reflective, ruminating over and sharing his views on the mysteries of life, faith and God; John, who took it upon himself to keep the extended family in touch with one another to remind us of the importance of family ties...Thanks Uncle John...you added such a special flavour to all of our lives.....I will always smile when I think of you. Love Lesley"

"I always enjoyed Dr. Dahl's presentations at the AABP meetings. He was open and encouraging to me as a new grad many years ago. We have lost a great leader and innovator. "

"I have very fond memories of our summer trips to the farm and Clintonville to visit Aunts, Uncles and cousins. The large family get togethers with Gam, ham buns and potato salad! Later, bringing our family as young ones to visit, Carson's traumatic visions of the cow with the see-through stomach and our great visits together. Three years ago Ken and I visited with John and Dorothy on our way back from Toronto, via the States. The four of us packed into our small car with two walkers and off we went for supper. We had a great visit, supper and laughs! For many years, John kept in touch with family via his great Christmas letter! In later years, John tried hard to keep,the family in touch with each other via email. He would call on a regular basis to check on Dad and more recently Mom. Although Moms memory is poor and she definitely has cognitive difficulties, she always seems to remember John and Dorothy and we have tried to keep in touch by phone a couple of times a year. We are sorry we are unable to attend the funeral as child care responsibilities and a Doctor appointment for Mom made it impossible. We are thinking of all of you fondly and hope that you are taking time to remember the fun family times you had together. Sincerely and lovingly thinking of you and your family. Jane (Dahl) and Ken Nattrass"

"John was a good friend and mentor. We shared many things, a love of veterinary medicine, we occupied the same position (at different times) in the School of Veterinary Medicine, were office mates for a few years when he was emeritus faculty and a fondness for golf. John was a man of his word and someone that I always could count on for good advice. I am in TX now and sorry that I will not be home in time for the services. I will miss you Dr. Dahl."