OBITUARY FRAZER JAMES ALLAN (1966-2021)
he decided to leave Massey to work at The Pet Practice in Hamilton. He wrote up his PhD and submitted whilst working as a medicine clinician at the practice, on time and to plan. After three years at The Pet Practice, he returned to academia to become director of the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the beginning of his administrative career. We were not sure how Rebecca and Frazer’s children might cope with the frequent moves and Frazer’s changes of plan but I am sure they knew what was best for their family at the time.
We first became familiar with Frazer when he entered 4th year of the Massey BVSc course. Here was an enthusiastic and organized student with clear goals, who not only wanted to learn and achieve but also to enjoy student life and all that the University had to offer. His Territorial Army training created the organized approach to clinical problems and making diagnoses, that he developed. He was clever and I was pleased that on graduation he chose small animal medicine as a discipline when many of his contemporaries went to large animal practice. Frazer had some time in small animal practice in Hamilton before he returned to Massey to undertake residency training in internal medicine with both of us as supervisors. What a great time that was! As expected he applied himself to the program, worked hard, was fun to work with, accepted the challenges, solved the medical puzzles with application and study and even survived the ‘set ups‘ that we thought would test him. The research study component of his program validated the use of BIPS for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats, his first taste of clinical research which led to his Master of Veterinary Medicine degree. In addition, he became a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in canine medicine. The expectation was that he would complete his specialist diploma examinations, but his decision was to undertake a PhD program with Keith Thompson, after many earnest discussions about this decision, and its wisdom. Complete the PhD he did, on aspects of lipoprotein metabolism related to diet in pigs but having completed the bench research
60 Eq Vet Pract 2021, September; 46 (3)
It was with great skill that Frazer ran the Massey University Veterinary Hospital and Clinics. He made the hospital a financial success and established a structure that was nurturing for both academic and support staff. Frazer undertook a Diploma in Business Administration (with distinction) and with that management training he was able to apply business principles to the academic environment. He retained the goodwill of veterinarians and clients as well as creating a productive workplace for staff. His managerial and administrative experience and abilities became clear, and his non-confrontational style of management was accepted by all staff. Importantly, all staff were confident that what he said was true, without hidden agendas. He was respected by colleagues for his leadership and management skills. When Grant Guilford left Massey for University of Auckland Frazer became Head of School for the Institute of Veterinary and Biological Sciences(IVABS), a role in which he showed continued leadership and managerial skills. He was a passionate leader, while retaining a friendly, cheerful countenance with a broad smile that everyone remembers. He was a team player and wanted all sectors of IVABS to advance, to be productive and to work together. He looked after students, attended all their functions, listened to their concerns, and acted when required to do so. He supervised the curriculum review and the reaccreditation process for the AVMA visitation that was completed successfully. Overall, Frazer was an inspiring academic leader for IVABS. Whilst Frazer’s academic career was advancing, he did not forget that he was part of the wider community. He supported his children with time on the management board of the Massey Childcare Center, on the Parent Teachers Association of Tiritea school, as a coach of schoolboy cricket and as treasurer of the United Cricket Club. For the veterinary profession he served on the NZVA Board for some time and played a key role behind the scenes for the organization of the WSAVA congress held in Auckland in 2014. His work with NZVA and the profession was acknowledged in 2017 with the NZVA President Award, which recognizes those
