Edward Austin Carbrey, DVM (1922-2010)

CARBREY, CUNNINGHAM, WEBB, BAUMANN-CABREY, BAUMANN, HARB, BABBOTT

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 7/31/2010 at 16:50:54

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, July 29, 2010.

Edward Austin Carbrey, DVM, 88, former director of diagnostic virology at the National Animal Disease Center, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City of complications following heart surgery.

Edward was born June 19, 1922, in Philadelphia, to Edward and Anna (Cunningham) Carbrey. He attended Girard College for fatherless boys in Philadelphia from age 7 to 17, which provided a sound academic foundation. He studied cello at Girard; playing the cello was a source of pleasure his entire life.

He earned a veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1945. To cover expenses, he worked nights at a bakery and attended college during the day. He met the love of his life, Elizabeth, while sharing a cello stand in a small private orchestra.

From 1945 to 1946, he trained to serve in the U.S. Army as part of the Army Specialist Group, inspecting meat to see it was safe for the troops to consume.

Edward and Elizabeth married on June 17, 1944. They enjoyed shared interests in classical music, nature studies and birding. Their marriage of 67 years included traveling the world for both fun and Ed’s work, learning whitewater canoeing, and, in later years, raising and showing prize-wining Abyssinian cats.

After graduation from college, he entered a large animal veterinary practice in western Pennsylvania. The work was demanding, and the hours were long. He then began working for the federal government in Animal Public Health testing for tuberculosis in dairy herds near Dover, Del., and Trenton, N.J.

Daughters Ellen, Theresa, Anna and Agnes were born in 1946, 1948, 1950 and 1954, respectively.

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In 1956, the government offered an opportunity for Edward to continue his education. He completed a master’s degree in bacteriology at Iowa State University in Ames. He did this while working full time doing animal public heath.

His expertise in animal diseases was to prove the foundation of a long and successful career at the newly opened National Animal Disease Laboratory in Ames, serving from 1961 until he retired in 1988. He received many commendations and awards for excellence in his career.

During his time working for the U.S. government, he assisted with the management of many animal diseases, including equine encephalitis in Peru in the 1960s. In the 1980s, he helped the Chinese refine testing standards and diagnostic techniques for hog cholera and other swine diseases.

Edward and Elizabeth lived in Ames for most of their married life, welcoming a set of twins, Cecelia and Shawn, in 1959. He brewed beer and made wine, and played chamber music. He also participated in many of the ISU Veishea musical reviews. He enjoyed woodworking, creating tables, chairs and, especially, frames for Elizabeth’s paintings.

He exercised regularly, enjoying a run until well into his 80s. Elizabeth shared her interest in observing birds with him, and soon they were traveling extensively to improve their “life list” of birds. They visited Chile, Costa Rica, Australia, Guatemala and Belize to see exotic bird species. He was a member of the Iowa Ornithological Association, took part in the annual Iowa bird counts and advocated responsible care of the environment before it was widely popular.

After his retirement, Edward and Elizabeth began breeding and showing Abyssinian cats. They were so successful the ribbons and awards earned by Carbrey Cattery filled several rooms.

Music brought joy to him throughout his life. From 2002 to 2009, he participated in Play Week Virginia, an annual amateur chamber music camp, where he could use his years of cello study and experience in playing string quartets and trios with fellow music lovers.

He volunteered at Ames Public Library and Hospice. He found fellowship and spiritual inspiration at Ames Unitarian Universalist Society. He was deeply interested in Buddhism and participated in a meditation group.

He is survived his wife, Elizabeth, currently at Madrid Community Home; and by five of his children, Theresa, Anna, Agnes, Cecelia and Shawn. Grandchildren include Michael and Justin Webb, Elana and Naomi Baumann-Carbrey, Gene Austin Harb, and Ned, Ellen and Michael Babbott.

Daughter Agnes says, “Ed Carbrey was a funny, thoughtful man, with a lot of charm. He was always telling jokes, and was the life of the party!” Daughter Theresa notes, “Ed claimed his gregarious nature was from his Irish ancestors, who had been vaudeville entertainers in Philadelphia. When he was a small boy, each person at his family gatherings was expected to perform a poem, song, dance or impersonation to entertain the group. This included him, so he would be placed on a high stool to do his act for the audience of relatives.”

In accordance with his wishes, Edward was cremated. A celebration of the life of Edward Austin Carbrey will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, at Ames Unitarian Fellowship, located at 1015 N. Hyland Ave., in Ames.

A reception will follow the service. Friends and family are invited to attend and share remembrances of Edward. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Edward A. Carbrey Education Memorial in care of US Bank, 405 Main St., Ames, IA, 50010. For more information, please call (515) 292-5960.

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