Kronfeld, David S.

David S. Kronfeld, of Pembroke, died Sunday, December 17, 2006. He was the Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Agriculture and former professor of veterinary medicine at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Prior to his career at Virginia Tech, Dr. Kronfeld was the Elizabeth and William Whitney Clark Professor Emeritus of Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania.

A charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN), he served as president of the American Association of Veterinary Nutritionists from 1973-1975. He remained an active member of the ACVIM, ACVN, American Society of Animal Science and Equine Science Society until his death.

Dr. Kronfeld authored more than 700 publications, many of them in refereed journals, and mentored dozens of successful PhD candidates, many of whom are carrying on his tradition of excellence in academia. He and his students have made significant contributions to our understanding of clinical nutrition and exercise physiology in a wide variety of species and topics. Many of his discoveries were groundbreaking and often controversial at the time but have now become mainstream: the use of total mixed rations in cattle, the role of vegetable/grain starch in alkalizing feline urine and contributing to feline urinary syndrome, the use of a wide variety of diagnostics in the study of hyperinsulinemia and glucose metabolism in horses and ponies, and fat adaptation to horses undergoing exercise training, to name only a few. It was often stated the he was 10 years ahead of all in his research endeavors.

His wife, Dr. Susan Donoghue (UP ’76), survives him. Memorials may be made to the David S. Kronfeld Endowment for Graduate Student Support, MARE Center, 5527 Sullivans Mill Road, Middleburg, VA 20117.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Givens Funeral Home in Pearisburg, Va.