Dr. Robert L. Heidbreder, DVM, Passes Away at Age 57
Dr. Robert L. Heidbreder, DVM passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2003, after a long battle with cancer. Dr. Heidbreder was a well-known and highly respected equine veterinarian, serving much of Illinois. He was always available at the state fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, where many Standardbreds are stabled and trained. He worked with the top Illinois trainers for a number of years and cared for several top performers including the world champions Incredible Tillie, p, 3, 1:492 ($916,024) and Mystical Victor, 2, 1:564; 3, 1:561 ($216,189) and the top trotting star Dreamaster, 3, 1:542 ($767,636). He also performed numerous pre-sale inspections for those trainers and flew all over the mid-west and northeast. Many horsemen will remember him from Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Illinois. He had previously worked in Kentucky at the Coffee Animal Clinic in LaCenter, Kentucky, and served as a veterinarian for the Kentucky Racing Commission.
He and his wife, “Bobbee,” owned several outstanding performers, such as the Kentucky Fair Stakes Winner Miss Pitchfork, 1:592m ($43,186), Roberto T, 4, 1:582 ($22,072) and the Illinois-bred trotting mare Minicharge, 3, 2:022 ($48,016). They also campaigned the good pacing mare Shania, p, 4, 1:504 ($267,308) early in her career.
Dr. Heidbreder was a native of Holts Summit, Mo. He earned a degree in agriculture from the University of Missouri and later graduated from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine and practiced for 32 years. He was also a 4-H mentor and a licensed pilot. He was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, University of Missouri Jefferson Club, and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Springfield, Ill.
Surviving are his wife, Carol “Bobbee” Martin Heidbreder; his parents, Le Roy and Marie Heidbreder of Holts Summit; three daughters, Amanda Heidbreder of Honolulu, Haw., Elizabeth Heidbreder-Olson of Rome, Ga., and Katie Heidbreder Rockabrand of Avon, Ind.; one brother, Lee Allan Heidbreder of Holts Summit; one sister, Diane Marshall of Jefferson City, MO.; and four grandchildren.
Please keep the family of Dr. Heidbreder in your thoughts and prayers.
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Flowers can be
sent to: Heidbreder Service 728 B.S. Mobile Street Fairhope, AL 36532 |
Cards can be
sent to: Bobbee Heidbreder P.O. Box 438 Fairhope, AL 36533 |
Donations can
be sent to: The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center P.O. Box 297153 Houston, TX 77287 |
For further information, visit the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association website: www.harnessillinois.com
Thank you to the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association & USTA Website for providing this information.