Howard Deardorff, long-time PIJAC employee, passed away March 29, 2009 at his home in Stevensville, Md. He was 80 years old.

Deardorff served in the Navy  in World War II and graduated from Lafayette College in 1956 with a degree in government studies. After a short stint in the dairy industry, he entered the pet industry as a retail store owner, before joining a multi-store retailer, Docktor Pet Centers, Inc.

Prior to joining PIJAC in 1989,  Deardorff held several positions with Docktor’ Pet, finally becoming their training director, a position he held for for 15 years.

Deardorff joined PIJAC in 1989 as director of research and education and was the primary author of PIJAC’s companion animal training and resource  manuals. On retiring from PIJAC several years ago, Deardorff worked for PIJAC’s law firm on a part-time basis until his passing.