KSU alumni award honors veterinarian for care delivered to all creatures great, small

COLUMBUS - Someone will be there to greet you when you walk into A&M Veterinary Clinic, but it may be with a meow instead of a hello.

There are plenty of cats wandering around the clinic, all in need of permanent homes, according to Harold Lange, 75, who owns the business at 2309 23rd St.

Lange takes care of the feline guests, and hopes to find them families, or individuals, to grow up with.

Such kindness to animals would be expected in a man who has dedicated his life to treating them. But Lange has gone beyond helping his four-legged friends. His commitment to the two-legged creatures with which he shares the world has earned him an award from his alma mater.

The Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine 2004 Alumni Recognition Award was bestowed upon Lange on Jan. 16 during the annual meeting of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association in Lincoln. According to a press release, "The award is in recognition of time and effort devoted to advancing veterinary medicine and for being an exemplary role model for future alumni in a professional and community setting."

An entire list of Lange's civic-minded volunteer efforts would be too long to print here. He has worked with the Nebraska and American Veterinary Medical Associations, including acting as a delegate to national meetings. The groups help to set policies for veterinarians, "just like the Congress of the United States," Lange said.

He served as a veterinarian with the Platte County Fair for 40 years; worked with the annual horse races for 30 years as track veterinarian; served on the Columbus School Board for 14 years, and the YMCA board for nine.

Lange also worked with Boy Scouts through the years, helping them to get merit badges, among countless other accomplishments.

Lange grew up on a farm in Crofton, where his interest in animals was first nurtured. He used to sit and watch birds nest in his spare time.

"I was always interested in two things - history and life," Lange said. "I decided on veterinary medicine because I wanted to work outside."

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 through 1953, he attended Wayne State College from 1954-56. He entered Kansas State University in 1956, earning his bachelor of science degree in 1959 and his doctor's degree in veterinary medicine in 1961.

That same year, Lange set up shop with Jack Lannan in Columbus. He worked with him until 1967, when he joined A&M with Joseph Meier and Leon Miller.

He said the business has changed a lot over the years, as more of his work focused on companion animals rather than livestock.

But that, too, has its advantages.

"I like being a veterinarian because I like people. My clients are all animals but they all have owners. ... Especially the little children who come in to watch you treat their animals."

He has, in his own home, a cat and a dog, and said he is happy to see the bond between pets and their owners getting more recognition.

"It's the greatest thing in the world. I sit down to read the paper and Fritzy jumps up beside me," Lange said of his mini-schnauzer.

Married to Marianne for 47 years, with two sons and five grandchildren, Lange still has no thoughts of retirement.

"Why would I retire if I like what I do?"

Reach Heather Koontz at 563-7528 or hkoontz @columbustelegram.com.