Delmar Roy Finco

The family of Delmar Roy Finco of Watkinsville, Georgia is saddened to announce his passing on June 8, 2023 at the age of 86 years.

Delmar Roy Finco was born in Roundup, Montana in 1936. Several years later, Del moved with his family to Kettle River, Minnesota where they had a small dairy farm. He always credited that time for his love for animals.

Del obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M) in 1959 and Ph.D. in 1968 from the University of Minnesota, which was also where he began his teaching and research career both in the field of veterinary internal medicine with special expertise in nephrology and urology. In 1970, Del moved to Georgia to become a professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine where he taught and conducted research in small animal nephrology and urology until his retirement. During his career, Del published over 50 scientific research papers and mentored many graduate students who went on to distinguished careers of their own.  Students and faculty still also remember him for his skills and competitive spirit in softball and handball.

A distinguished scholar and professor, Del shared his passion for learning with thousands of students over the years. He published the textbook, Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology, with Drs. Carl Osborne and Don Low. This textbook was the first in this field and was so well known that students and professors alike referred to the work as "Osborne, Finco, and Low."

Del was a founding diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and served as its first Treasurer in 1973. Over the years, Del received numerous awards for his teaching and research, including the R.W. Kirk Award for Professional Excellence in 2000; the International Renal Interest Society’s coveted Osborne Award in 2000; the Distinguished Research Alumni Award from the University of Minnesota in 2004; and the Norden Award for Teaching from the UGA veterinary students.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Del. In 1994, Del moved with his beloved wife, Marian, to their beautiful “Moonshadow Farm” in Watkinsville, Georgia. For many years, the couple raised Missouri Fox Trotter horses and Black Angus cattle. Del will be greatly missed. Despite his reserved nature, Del routinely sent people into fits of laughter with his wry sense of humor. He was endlessly kind and had the uncanny ability to see each person for who they are while always treating everyone with the highest respect. He loved his Marian, his family, his endless list of friends, his tractor, his horses, his cats, and his dogs.

Del is survived by his cherished wife Marian (Hope) Finco; his former wife Clarissa Finco; and his children: Deborah Finco (Brian Kent), Paul Finco, Tim Finco (Tara), and Brian Finco (Bridget Finco); grandchildren: Rachel Morelli, Joe Morelli, Ariel Kent, Anna Finco, and Jacob Finco; and two great-grandchildren: Madison Morelli and Jaxon Morelli. He is also survived by his sister, Jeri Jokimaki; sisters-in-law Gerri Kallio and Sue Hope Ware; niece Franci Wayland (Hank Wayland) and numerous other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and his loving canine companion, Chester. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alben Finco and Mary Kuzara, and siblings Joann Bryck, Albena Hattenberger, and Frank Kallio.

A memorial service will be held in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Del’s memory may be made to the following: Heritage Parks Horse Project, Oconee Parks Foundation, P. O. Box 777, Watkinsville, GA 30677; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3670; the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, 861 Newton Bridge Rd., Athens, GA 30601; or the Beech Brook Farm Equine Rescue, 101 Prospect Hill Road, Groton, CT 06340.