McNellis, Russell, 1906-1988.

Russell McNellis was born and attended school in Dunkerton, Iowa. He received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1928) from Iowa State College (University), graduating with honors and membership in three honorary scholastic fraternities.

Dr. McNellis accepted a regular army commission in the U.S. Army (1932). He attended Army Veterinary School (1932) in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Army Medical Field Service School (1933) in Pennsylvania. He was assigned to the Army Veterinary School (1935) as an instructor and assistant director. He organized the Peruvian National Veterinary College and the Peruvian Army Remount Service (1942) while stationed in Peru.

Dr. McNellis returned to the United States and was assigned to the Office of the Surgeon General, Washington, D.C. (1949), as Chief of the Food Inspection Division. He went to San Francisco to become veterinarian for the 6th Army (1953). Dr. McNellis was selected as Chief of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps (1959) and promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. After 32 years, he retired from service to the Army (1965), but continued to work as an area veterinarian in North Carolina (1965-1966). He also worked as director of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Service department in Iowa (1966-1968). After retiring, Dr. McNellis settled in Virginia with his wife.

Dr. McNellis married Grace Bartholomew (1930), also of Dunkerton, Iowa. They had three children (John, Joan, and Jane) and six grandchildren. McNellis died on July 6, 1988.