Dr. Donald Boyd French died peacefully on September 3, 2022. Don “Doc” French was born January 13, 1929 in Tracy, MN. He moved to Rochester with his family in 1936 and attended Rochester High School, where he played baseball and hockey. He was a member of the 1946 state runner up hockey team. From the age of 5, he knew he wanted to be a veterinarian after hanging around the local vet in Tracy, Minnesota. Even in Junior High and High School, he worked for a Rochester veterinarian at every opportunity. He attended the University of MN College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1951 and his DVM degree in 1953. Don was a member of the third Veterinary class to graduate from the University.
Tomorrow, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge will begin closing some parking areas and boat landings for general maintenance.