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Br. New '54 Joins Chapter Eternal
3/2/2010
 | | Br. Albert E. "Gene" New '54 |
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IN MEMORIAM
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The Kansas State Chapter of Acacia Fraternity is saddened to report the recent passing of Brother Albert E. "Gene" New '54.
Br. New pledged Acacia in 1954 and was an active member during the transition into the new Chapter House at 2005 Hunting Ave. Br. new graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine in 1960.
Members of the Acacia Family are encouraged to share their memories of Gene on the Pumphrey Funeral Home web site at www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com.
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Dr. Albert E. (Gene) New
Aug. 4, 1935 - Feb. 7, 2010
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Former Head of the National Cancer Institute's Laboratory Animal Medicine Program
Dr. Albert Eugene "Gene" New, 74, veterinarian and laboratory animal science pioneer, trusted colleague and mentor, died February 7 at his home in Rockville, MD. Cause of death was a fatal heart attack, following an entire day of assisting neighbors in digging out their homes during the Blizzard of 2010.
Dr. New was born, 1935, in Kenneth, Kansas and raised on the family dairy farm until he attended Kansas State University. It was there that he received a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation in 1960 he was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force Veterinary Medical Corp and served at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. In 1962, Dr. New was among the first six veterinarians to enter the Laboratory Animal Medicine Program at the School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB in San Antonio and ultimately obtained a Master's degree in laboratory animal medicine from Texas A&M. His distinguished military career included establishing the first research veterinary activity in the Navy and serving as the veterinarian for Miss Baker, the first monkey to survive space flight at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Institute in Pensacola, FL. He then served a 3-year tour in Taipei, Taiwan at the Naval Medical Research Unit-2 (NAMRU-2) during the Viet Nam conflict, which involved an assignment into Da Nang for collecting research data used in studying disease prevention for our soldiers.
In 1973 he transferred from the Air Force taking a position in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps at the National Institute of Health (NIH) as head of the primate quarantine unit. In 1976 Dr. New became the head of the National Cancer Institute's laboratory animal medicine program. Dr. New played key roles in establishing the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) policy on animal care and use, which strongly influenced the NIH-wide intramural policy on centralized animal care facilities on the NIH campus.
Dr. New received numerous honors and awards during his many years serving as a veterinarian in the U.S. Air Force and Public Health Service and held a long list of organizational positions. Among them a past-president of the National Capital Area Branch of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (NCAB/AALAS), past-president and a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).
Following retirement in 1986 from the Public Health Service, Dr. New became the executive director of the American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). AAALAC accredits animal care and use programs at academic and biomedical research institutions. He retired from AAALAC in 1996 and continued to serve in his field as a consultant in laboratory animal science to numerous research organizations including the Federal Drug Administration, the Red Cross and the Biomedical Research Institute.
In the prime of his retirement years and enjoying life, Gene loved the outdoor life of wood-cutting and grooming trees, that he often referred to as "playing with his big boy toys" at their rural property in Jefferson, MD. When at their Lake House, Gene could not wait to entertain everyone with jet ski rides, boat trips, cookouts, and bon fires. Never to forget the annual 4th of July gatherings where he would amaze everyone with the largest display of fireworks he could find for hours of entertainment. He was always on the go and full of hours of advice, but most of all he was truly happy and loved his family and friends.
Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Deena, his three loving children, Shelly Rance of Laytonsville, MD, Cheryl New of Frederick, MD and Jeff New of Gaithersburg, MD. His son-in-law, Don Paul Rance and daughter-in-law, Annie New. His brother James Rex New of Oklahoma. Six remarkable grandchildren Brian Taylor, Geoffrey and Lindsay Rance, Michelle New, Kevin Wallace and David New.
May his positive outlook on life and his happy smile be our inspiration and memory.
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