DR. HAROLD L. CHUTE

DR. HAROLD L. CHUTE ORONO – Dr. Harold L. Chute passed away at his home Sept. 11, 2008. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sept. 4, 1921. Dr. Chute obtained his early education in Nova Scotia, where he graduated from MacDonald High School, Middleton, Nova Scotia, in 1940; from Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1944, where he later received an honorary degree, as well as the Distinguished Alumnus Award; and from Ontario Veterinary College, University of Toronto with Veterinary Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees in 1949. After marrying his wife, the former Marion Berniece Baker, they moved to Orono in 1949, where Dr. Chute began a long and distinguished professional career commencing with a position at the University of Maine Department of Animal Pathology as a veterinary pathologist, specializing in poultry pathology. He moved rapidly through the ranks to full professor in 1955, a position he held for 22 years. Returning to academia in the early ’50s, he obtained a master’s degree in Veterinary Pathology at Ohio State University, in 1953, and subsequently a Doctorate of Veterinary Science from the University of Toronto, in 1955. His academic accomplishments culminated with the receipt of an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University in 1998. Dr. Chute was at the forefront of poultry disease control. He was involved with research, diagnosis and the development of disease control programs. He served on many national and state disease control committees focusing on poultry disease control and inspection. His work brought international recognition and he was invited to lecture in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South and Central America. Dr. Chute had also been a productive research scientist. In addition to teaching, he had published 200 scientific articles and contributed to many scientific books and professional journals in his field of expertise. Dr. Chute changed careers when he was appointed Director of Development of the University of Maine in 1969, and again in 1977, when he founded and served as President of Chute Chemical Company, an industrial specialty chemical company having products for use in agriculture, some of which were awarded patents. He retired in 1995. Professionally, Dr. Chute served as President of the Maine Veterinary Medical Association and was a Past President and life member of the American Association of Avian Pathologists and the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, where he received the coveted Pope Award. He was a life member and delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association and served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Maine Board of Veterinary Examiners. He was a member and Past President of Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi honor societies. A biographical note or special mention of Dr. Chute’s activities has appeared in American Men of Science; Leaders in Science; “Who’s Who” in the East; “Who’s Who” in Finance and Industry;