When Ron and Kathleen Spicer first crossed paths as rodeo competitors in the 1960s, they were drawn to each other by a shared passion for animals and an interest in their health and welfare. Their backgrounds—Ron hailed from a farm in Minnesota, where as a young man, he was a sought-after horse trainer, while Kathleen grew up on a cattle ranch in western North Dakota—fostered a love for animals that came to define their lives together. The self-described “cowboy and cowgirl from the Midwest” inspired many with their devotion to horses, dogs and other animals. The Spicers created a $1.63M bequest for their estate, leaving a generous gift to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in support of small animal medical research and equine medical research.
Today, the Spicer’s generosity is helping advance research in treatment for both horses and companion animals. Their gift supports funds specifically designed to encourage new faculty members beginning their research.
“Supporting new faculty is essential and truly helps in advancing their work as they get started at the school,” said Bruno Pypendop, a professor of surgical and radiological sciences and the school’s Executive Associate Dean.
“Thanks to these funds, faculty are able to establish their research program and gain traction, which then produce the data they need to apply for grants. We compete for the very best in every hire we make at the school, and these funds are essential to help those new faculty joining our school have a successful start.”
Kathleen’s love for horses was apparent from an early age. Growing up on a rural cattle ranch meant many hours on horseback. Her brother, Frank Keogh, recalls her subscribing to The Quarter Horse Journal so she could learn everything possible about bloodlines, care and breeding. In Ron, Kathleen found a teammate whose enthusiasm and diligence matched her own.
Ron and Kathleen married in 1968, and continued farming, rodeoing and raising horses together near Ron’s family in Minnesota. In the early 1970s, they made their way to Napa Valley, where they owned and operated a successful vineyard on Silverado Trail in the Stag’s Leap district. The Spicer’s cabernet grapes became well-renowned, featuring in many of the region’s most prestigious wines.
Finding success as vineyard owners didn’t stand in the way of their interest in horses and dogs. Both Ron and Kathleen continued competing in rodeos in the 1980s and 1990s while training and breeding performance horses. They also thrived as breeders of Australian Shepherd dogs. The couple had a gift with nurturing their animals that was evident to many.
During their years in the Napa Valley, Kathleen and Ron came to rely on UC Davis to care for their animals, which included valuable performance rodeo horses with complicated breeding and veterinary needs. “UC Davis was Ron and Kathleen’s gold standard for veterinary care,” said Keogh. “Their bequest to the veterinary school is representative of the respect and trust they placed in the team at UC Davis.”
In the years following Ron’s death in 2009, Kathleen sold Spicer Vineyard and relocated to Arizona, where she focused her attention on breeding and training top-quality barrel racing horses. She also opened her home to a succession of rescue dogs and was always happiest when surrounded by them. Kathleen passed away in 2023.
The funds that the Spicers contributed, and gifts such as these, truly make a difference, said Associate Dean Pypendop. “We are extremely grateful to receive this gift. Philanthropy is crucial for us to be able to recruit the best faculty in their respective fields.”
The Spicers have been recognized in the school’s Heritage Society for Animals and are listed on the honor roll display on campus.
Frank Keogh noted the importance of the Spicers' gift:
“No one cared about horses and dogs more deeply than Ron and Kathleen,” said Keogh. “If there are new methods, more advanced treatments and better ways of caring for them to be discovered, they wanted to support that in any way they could. We’re so proud to attach their name to the important research happening at UC Davis.”
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Learn more about supporting the UC Davis School of Veterinary medicine at: www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/giving.