TUSKEGEE, Ala. (October 30, 2009) - Dr. Leonard H. Billups, director of Diagnostic Laboratory Services at the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, died Oct. 28.
Billups (DVM, DACVP) was an admired and respected academician, accomplished pathologist, talented artist and gardener. He is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
"Dr. Billups was a true academician in every sense of the word. He was passionate about pathology and it was easy to see that he loved what he did. Dr. Billups was one who went beyond the call of duty and would gladly offer assistance to others along his path," said Dr. Tsegaye Habtemariam, Dean, Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health. "His legacy will endure as an individual at peace with himself, in touch with reality and beyond all, an altruistic intellectual. He was not a complainer but instead a person with a positive attitude always seeking a solution and willing to compromise and help out when necessary. Our condolences go out to his family. He will truly be missed."
In 1961, Billups received an Artium Baccalaureus in Biology from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. After receiving the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University in 1965, he worked as an instructor in the Department of Pathology for one year at the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. In 1968, he completed a residency in veterinary pathology at the Armed Force Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C. In 1972, he achieved Board Certification in Veterinary Pathology from the American College of Veterinary Pathology. Billups also served his country admirably as commander of the 422nd Medical Detachment, Rockville, Md. (1985-1989), and retired as Colonel of the United States Army Veterinary Corps, USAR in 1995. He returned to Tuskegee University to serve his alma mater as Associate Dean for Administration. He served as Associate Professor of Pathology and as director of the College's Diagnostic Center until his death. Billup's veterinary medical career in pathology covered a 44-year period in which he served as instructor in pathology, staff officer in the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, veterinary pathologist, staff pathologist, experimental pathologist, consultant in environmental pathology, pathology fellow, and professor of pathology.
Billups served as a member of the Administrator's Toxic Substances Advisory Committee with the Environmental Protection Agency; Expert Panel of Pathologists with the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council; the American College of Veterinary Pathologist (Board Certified); the American Veterinary Medical Association; the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association; and chairman for four years with the Registry of Veterinary Pathology for the American College of Veterinary Pathologist.
Billups had five published chapters in textbooks and syllabi and 13 refereed journals in which he was either the author or one of the co-authors. He was also involved in research throughout his career, and at Tuskegee, he supported the emergence of junior faculty in need of anatomical and morphological services.
Especially noteworthy was the establishment of the Leonard and Harriet Billups Endowment Fund by him and his family. They started the endowment to strengthen veterinary pathology and laboratory animal medicine programs by enhancing the development and maintenance of residency training within the School of Veterinary Medicine.
A tax deductible contribution may be made to the Leonard and Harriet Billups Endowment Fund. Please make checks payable to the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine (place Leonard and Harriet Billups Endowment Fund on the check MEMO line) and mail to Angela Smith-Bascomb, Office of the Dean, Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee, AL 36088. Expressions of condolences may be sent to the family at: 1737 Talhiem Street, Auburn, AL 36832.
