Memorials

Want to help support future veterinarians? Gifts also can be made online with "In memory of Dr. Mark Crisman".

Donate here

Obituary

The souls of some people shine so bright, that even their shadows bathe us in light – Shahieb Orgunwell

Mark Virgil Crisman, DVM, MS, Dip ACVIM, 69, of Blacksburg, VA, succumbed to injuries sustained in a tragic ATV accident on May 20, 2023. Mark was born in Syracuse, NY on September 25, 1953 to the late Virgil Henry “Cris” Crisman, III and the late Nancy Jamieson Bryant Crisman. He is survived by the love of his life of 25 years, Celeste Coker Crisman; brother, Barry Bryant Crisman (Regina); brother-in-law Kenneth Andrew Rapoport; niece, Jamie Crisman and nephew, Dylan Rapoport. Mark was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Jamieson Rapoport.

Mark attended Ulster Academy, received his BS in Agriculture from the University of Kentucky in 1977, and earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1984 from the University of Warsaw, Poland. He received a Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 1987 after completing an internship and residency in equine internal medicine. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1990. Mark was also certified in acupuncture by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.

From 1987 to 2010, Mark served on the faculty of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine where he was a Professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and section chief of Equine Medicine and Surgery. Additionally, Mark served as Director of the Molecular Diagnostics lab at the VMCVM. Two of his proudest moments were receiving teacher of the year in 2004 and being asked to deliver the commencement address for the Vet School in 2008.

In 2010, Mark joined Zoetis as Senior Veterinarian, Equine Technical Services where his work has continued. In 2020, Mark was selected to serve on the board of Horses and Humans Research Foundation, as VP of Scientific Advisors. He loved his work, his team members, and seeing his former students in practice all over the country and world. He continued lecturing at several Vet Schools in the Southeast and never wanted to lose his connection to teaching.

Mark was always up for an adventure whether snow skiing, sky diving, deep sea diving, camping and trail riding, and riding his ATV whether for fun or for building trails on the farm for all to enjoy. He loved his farm and took great pleasure in creating a beautiful oasis, working on it every day possible while collecting and pampering a great herd of mostly misfits. His favorite sidekick, Luke, will lie in wait watching for his return up the driveway for quite some time. Mark’s love of people, his depth of knowledge and his giving and vibrant personality, lifted and helped everyone with whom he was ever in contact, not to mention the fact he could out talk the best of them!

A “Celebration of Mark” will be held at Spring Tree Farm outside of Blacksburg on June 24th beginning at 1:00 pm. Further details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a gift in memory of Mark to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Checks can be made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation and mailed to VMCVM, 215 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, with “In memory of Dr. Mark Crisman” written on the check memo line. Gifts also can be made online with "In memory of Dr. Mark Crisman". His wish was to leave a gift to the VMCVM to help others succeed as he had, and that fund will be established in his name.