Memorial Statement for Professor Stephen B. Hitchner, D.V.M. (1916-2011) held various positions at universities and in industry developing a reputation as one of the most respected members of the field of avian medicine. Upon the retirement of Dr. P. Philip Levine, Dr. Hitchner came to Cornell as head of the Avian Disease Department in 1966. Under his direction, the department broadened its scope to include aquatic animal medicine. In his later years from 1975 until retirement in 1981, he concentrated his efforts on largely neglected pet bird medicine and establishing a program for pet and exotic bird diseases. Dr. Hitchner served on many professional committees, consulted internationally, and published several books and numerous papers on avian pathology.