I reckon the stool of success in this mortal life to rest on three legs: the love of a life’s companion, the trust of children, and the respect of fellow man. For an antiquated old pedant, to be so remembered by former students, especially in a clinical setting (far removed from the confines of a classroom) where unexpected challenges occur repeatedly and test one’s equanimity, it is a cherished honor equal to anything I’ve ever known.

- John T. Vaughan, DVM, MS, DACVS

Dr. Vaughan impressed me the first time I met him when he came from Auburn to speak at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. It soon became clear that he was a very gifted surgeon but in a practical, experienced sort of way. He was an articulate, slow speaker with powerful words. Dr. Vaughan became a father figure that I always wanted to please. I fondly recall that he would often say:

'Always follow the pathology' (when following a draining tract, tumor or similar) which required one to know the appearance of normal tissue.

'To be a good surgeon one had to pay attention to iotas.' If you did not know that an iota was the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, he would tell you.

- Donnie E. Slone, DVM, DACVS