This past week, the U.S. swine industry lost a large supporter of the industry with the passing of Mark Engle, who was working as a senior technical services manager for the Swine Business Unit at Merck Animal Health at the time of his death.

Funeral services for Engle, who died Dec. 15, will be Saturday at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church in Lees Summit, Mo.

Engle received his DVM from the Iowa State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1980 and a Master of Science from the University of Minnesota in 2004. His veterinary career included private practice at AMVC Veterinary Services and Management in Audubon, Iowa, the National Pork Board, and Pig Improvement Co.

According to a brief on the American Association of Swine Veterinarians website, Engle made significant contributions to the swine industry and the veterinary profession. He joined AASV (AASP) in 1985 and had served on the board of directors, the AASV Foundation board and as a reviewer for the Journal of Swine Health and Production. He presented the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture in 2014 and also served on numerous AASV committees including, most recently, the Planning Committee for the 2016 AASV Annual meeting. He was a leader in producer organizations as well including the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, National Institute for Animal Agriculture and the U.S. Animal Health Association.

AASV will be updating the brief on their website as more information is received.