Dr. Alpers was born in Portola, CA on Valentine’s Day and died October 8, 2015 in Oakdale. He was raised on a dairy in Valley Home, graduated from Valley Home Elementary School and Oakdale High School. Jack went on to graduate with a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of California at Davis. At the time, Dr. Alpers was the youngest student to be accepted into the veterinary program. In college he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Jack returned to his home area to practice his profession, becoming a partner in Riverbank Veterinary Hospital. He later joined Dr. Hugh Kiely to open a highly successful small and large animal practice in Riverbank, The River Oak Veterinary Hospital. Jack was a member of the Riverbank Lions Club and later a charter member of the Riverbank Rotary Club. During his career he was selected to be a member of a Rotary International group study exchange team to New Zealand. He was active in the Stanislaus Veterinary Association and belonged to the Oakdale Golf & Country Club and the Oakdale Dinner Club.
He believed one had an obligation to give back to the community. His public service included election to the Riverbank City Council, Oakdale Joint Union High School Board of Trustees and the Oakdale Irrigation District. He also served on the Oakdale and Riverbank Planning Commissions. For seven years many students at Modesto Junior College had the privilege of being enrolled in the Equine classes taught by Dr. Alpers, DVM. Jack had a wide variety of interests and activities throughout his life. His hobbies, which he avidly pursued, included golf, backpacking, hunting and fishing, horseracing, photography and bonsai. He was a member of the Stanislaus Fly Fishing Club and the Valley Home Rod and Gun Club. He also enjoyed competitive tournament bridge, and playing gin rummy weekly with a group of friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his father Carl (Jack) Alpers and his mother, Aileen Dotta Alpers. Dr. Alpers leaves behind his wife Mary, his daughter Suzie Walker (Kelly), his sons Dwayne (Polly) and Alan, his sister Sally Arney, brother Greg Blackburn (Deborah), stepsons Mark, Brad, Sean and Kevin Conley, 14 grandchildren and one great granddaughter and many grieving friends.
Special thanks for the memorable, caring staff at Serenity Hills and the Community Hospice team. As per Jack’s wishes, there will be no services. Remembrances in Jack’s name may be made to your favorite charity or one of Jack’s favorites, including:
Riverbank Christian Food Sharing, P.O. Box 1373 Riverbank, CA 95367;
Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center (SWCC), 1220 Geer Road, Hughson, CA 95326;
Sierra Foothills Community Church, 1040 W. F St., Oakdale, CA 95361.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Oct. 21, 2015