Dr. Robert William Carithers

Dr. Robert William Carithers, passed peacefully on November 11^th, 2025 at the age of 93.

He was born on August 19^th, 1932, in Des Moines County, IA. Bob was raised on the family farm, later enrolling at Iowa State University where he fell in love with Jeanine Rutherford and married. He studied veterinary medicine, graduating in 1956, and served in the US Army Veterinary Corps until 1958. Bob and Jeanine raised three sons, with the eldest (Jeff) born during veterinary school, and two (Brian & Doug) born while serving in the army.  Upon his discharge from the Army, he joined Dr. Lloyd Bates at the Rivervale Veterinary Clinic in Union, IA, where he practiced mixed animal medicine for 7 years, prior to leaving practice for an advanced degree.   

In 1965, Bob and Jeanine both attended graduate school at the University of Missouri, where Bob received his MS degree in Veterinary Anatomy, and Jeanine received her PhD in Histology.  In 1968, they both took roles at Iowa State University, where Bob completed a PhD with a dual major in Biomedical Engineering and Veterinary Clinical Sciences in 1972. While serving on the faculty for 26 years, Bob taught veterinary students Medicine and Neurology, taught Biomedical Engineering graduate students, and in Veterinary Teaching Hospital he received patients and mentored students prior to retiring in 1994. Bob received the Veterinary Medical Alumni Association’s Outstanding Service Award in 1988, and has a named award, the R.W. Carithers Award, given to the veterinary student demonstrating outstanding clinical skills at the Iowa State Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jeanine, sons Jeffrey (Alice) Carithers and Doug (Joni) Carithers, grandchildren; Bryce Ann (Emmanuelle) dos Anjos, Jessica Ann Carithers, Joseph Brian Carithers and Jaci Kay (Alex Thurber) Carithers, and 2 great-grand-children; Zoe Carmen Carithers, and Lua Reid dos Anjos.  He was preceded in death by his son, Brian Reid Carithers, and his siblings, Richard and Florence.