Dr. Sherbyn W. Ostrich

Sherbyn W. Ostrich, VMD, 79, of Robesonia, passed suddenly on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Reading Hospital.

Born October 28, 1937 in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late David and Margaret (Wilson) Ostrich. He and his wife of 33 years, Dianne K. (VonNeida) Ostrich, were married on June 23, 1984 in Robesonia.

Sherbyn was a longtime veterinarian in the Berks County and Lebanon County communities. He owned and operated Cacoosing Animal Hospital, Wernersville, from 1964 to 1994. He also owned and operated the Animal Hospital of Lebanon and the Eagles Peak Animal Clinic, Robesonia for many years until his retirement in 2016.

Sherbyn was extremely active in the veterinary community both locally and nationally. He served as president the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) where he also held positions as Chairman of the Board of Directors for 1991-1992, member of the Finance Committee, Member of the Committee on the Budget. He served at total of 9 years on the Executive Board and represented District II.

Sherbyn served as president of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, the foundation the financially supported the American Veterinary Medical Association. In addition to serving as president, he was a member of the Board of Directors in 1996.

Sherbyn served as president of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and was their delegate to the AVMA in 2003. He also served as alternate delegate in 2004.

Sherbyn served for 8 years as a Commissioner on the Pennsylvania Animal Heath and Diagnostic Commission where he also served as Chair of the Budget Committee and two years as Vice Chair for the commission. In addition, he served as Acting Executive Director in 1996-1997.

Additional memberships that Sherbyn held were in the Schuylkill Valley Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and was named a National Academies of Practice Distinguished Practitioner in 1993. Sherbyn spent 10 years as a member of the Humane Society of Berks County Board of Directors and 13 years as a member of the Lebanon County Children and Youth Foster Parents Association.

Throughout his life and career, Sherbyn received many awards. In 1997, he received the American Animal Hospital Association Award, in 1995 the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Bellweather Award for Distinguished Leadership (he was the first recipient), in 1990 the American Animal Hospital Association Service Award, in 1988, the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Award of Merit, in 1987, he was elected to the Gamma Sigma Delta Honorary Agriculture Society, in 1986, the Foster Parents of the Year Award of Lebanon County, in 1986, the Pennsylvania Veterinarian of the Year Award, in 1984, the Berks County Kennel Club Man of the Year Award, in 1976 the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association Award of Merit and in 1955 the American Legion Award for Leadership.

Sherbyn also published several papers. In 1994, he published "Putting Free Enterprise Back into Medicine" in the National Academy of Practice, in 1991 he published "Animal Rights, A Study in Ambivalence" in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association and in 1971 he published "Demobilization of the Canine Hip" in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Sherbyn loved animals and his farm, but especially loved his family.

Sherbyn was a 1955 graduate of the Valley Forge Military Academy. He went on to graduate from Pennsylvania State University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and Entomology. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1963.

In addition to his wife, Dianne, Sherbyn is survived by his children, Sheryl L. (Ostrich) Hanlon, wife of Karl J. Hanlon, Carbondale, CO, Janelle L. (Ostrich) Jander, wife of Thomas J. Jander, Arvada, CO, Ann Marie V. (Ostrich) Pietrobono, wife of Todd J. Pietrobono, Robesonia and Michael J. Ostrich, husband of Sarah N. (Weiss) Ostrich, Womelsdorf. He is also survived by his grandchildren, James, Mark, Jonathan, Kaitlyn, Julianna, Hannah, Emily, Tegan, Skyler and Harper, his great grandchildren, Noah and Gunner and his brother and sisters, Leah Satter, wife of Lou Satter, Cherry Hill, NJ, Polly Toll, Philadelphia, PA and Albert Ostrich, wife of Lori (Gersh) Ostrich, Radnor, PA.

Along with his parents, Sherbyn was preceded in death by a brother William Laird and by his foster son, James Gladfelter.

Funeral Services for Sherbyn will be held on Monday, July 3, 2017 at 11:00 am at Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, 14390 Kutztown Rd, Fleetwood, PA. Burial will follow in Hyam Salomon Memorial Park, Frazer, PA. A visitation will be held on Monday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sherbyn's memory to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1931 N. Meacham Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173 or to the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, 8574 Paxton St., Hummelstown, PA 17036.

Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC. Fleetwood, PA, is honored to be caring for Sherbyn and his family. Online condolences may be offered at WalbertFuneralHome.com.