Robert Alan Feimster, a clinical professor at the veterinary hospital, died from unknown causes on Oct. 12. Feimster graduated cum laude in 1989 from the University and received his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1994 at N.C. State.
According to Liana Puscas, Feimster’s wife, people who knew Feimster remember his dedication to the well-being of the human spirit on and off campus, as well as his contributions to the community.
Puscas said he was different from other people because he was genuine.
“He was really interested in what people were really thinking and feeling,” Puscas said. “He was not interested in superficial relationships.”
Feimster’s co-workers like Jim Brawley, the veterinarian hospital administrator, remembered Feimster as a person who cared for for animals as well as humans.
Brawley said he had known Feimster for three years. Feimster worked as the emergency-room doctor, according to Brawley.
“Feimster treated the pets as part of the family for the clients,” Brawley said.
Brawley said Feimster always had a “calming hand” in the chaotic emergency room and made sure the patients’ needs were met as much as the clients’.
“It’s a loss for the community and staff here,” Brawley said.
Some students like Sarah Carotenuto, a fourth-year veterinary school student, remembers Feimster as a mentor and teacher.
“He was a guy willing to take time out of his schedule for you at any point if you wanted to talk to him, whether that would be as a professor or a friend,” Carotenuto said.
According to Carotenuto, she first met Feimster over the summer on a mission trip to the Navajo nation in Arizona. The Christian Veterinary Mission, an organization on campus for which Feimster served as the adviser , sponsored the trip.
“CVM is the opportunity to use veterinary skills to provide basic veterinarian care to underserved clinics in the United States and other parts of the world,” Carotenuto said. “We can use our skills to open doors to talk to people you wouldn’t otherwise, specifically about the gospel.”
Carotenuto recalled the first day of the trip and said Feimster and another participant on the trip began lassoing fire hydrants to stake bulls and other people.
“[Feimster] was a very personable, funny, spur-of-the-moment type of guy,” Carotenuto said.
Carotenuto is interviewing for jobs in Arizona so she can volunteer for the Navajo nation in the future.
“It’s a direct result of the amazing way that the trip was led by Feimster,” Carotenuto’s husband said.
Puscas said Feimster’s service to others extended locally. In a Saturday morning program, he taught tennis to disadvantaged children, along with doing yard work for people, according to Puscas.
“Alan would really take the time to talk to homeless people. He would invite them to eat with him,” Puscas said.
Puscas said she was not surprised by this action.
“That was just Alan. He would talk to anybody,” she said. “They were people. They were created in the image of God. It was his job to love them.”
Religion was a big part of Feimster’s life, according to Puscas.
“[Faith] gave his life direction, purpose, peace and joy, which enabled him to enjoy life so much,” Puscas said.
The two met in January 2005 at a church volleyball game.
“He left his mark the first day I met him,” Puscas said. “He dislocated my finger playing volleyball. He was really sweet, so I forgave him.”
Puscas said she and her husband had a good relationship.
“I really think most people don’t have the happiness we had for a year and a half,” Puscas said. “It was a real blessing to be loved by Alan Feimster.”
She said everyone who met Feimster liked him.
“He wanted to know the real you,” she said.
“Dr. Feimster was an excellent veterinarian, great teacher and a great friend to faculty, staff and students,” Warwick Alan, dean of the veterinary school, said.
The family is asking for donations to be made to the Christian Veterinary Mission in lieu of flowers in honor of Feimster. They will place the money in a scholarship fund for future mission trips with the organization.
“Alan brought out the best in everyone around him,” Puscas said. “There is definitely not another higher compliment than that.”