David F. "Fred" (Doc) Erwin, Jr. D.V.M., died on May 18, 2015 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas. 

He was born January 12, 1931, in rural Sumner County, Kansas.  The son of David Fred, Sr. and Freda (Weyen) Erwin.  Fred's formative years were spent helping his father and brother on the family farm.  In 1946, the family moved to rural Cowley county, Kansas.  Fred graduated from Burden High School in 1948.  Following graduation he attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas for one year and then enrolled in Oklahoma A&M, Now Oklahoma State University where he majored in Fisheries biology.  After his graduation in 1952, he was inducted into the U.S. Army.  He completed officer's candidate school and served a tour of duty in Korea and he was honorably discharged as a second lieutenant in January 1955.  Fred was then accepted in the college of Veterinary medicine at Kansas State University.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Bartley.  They were united in marriage on August 19, 1956 in Great Bend, Kansas.  Fred graduated from K-State in 1959 and entered into a mixed practice partnership with Dr. Glenn N. Stafford in Russell.  Dr. Erwin practiced veterinary medicine in Russell for 46 years until his health forced him to retire.  Fred loved to hunt and fish and on occasion, to pilot an airplane.  He enjoyed being a veterinarian and he also enjoyed his many client friends.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Russell, life member of the Kansas State University Alumni Association, life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 and affiliation with several Masonic bodies. 

Fred is survived by his wife Elizabeth "Libby" Erwin of the home; sons David Erwin (Lori) of Jasper, Georgia and Matthew Erwin of Urbandale, Iowa; sister Betty Boggs of Columbia, Missouri; sister in-law Maxiene Erwin of Wellington, Kansas and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Frank Erwin, niece Deanna Boggs, brother Vincent Erwin, brothers in-law Kenneth Boggs and Leo Blakley and step mother Tressa Erwin.

A memorial service to celebrate Fred's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at the First Congregational Church in Russell with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating.  A private family inurnment will take place after the memorial service with military rites performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240.  Family will meet with friends the day of the service.    Cards and condolences can be sent to the mortuary and memorials given to the First Congregational Church of Russell.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.