SAN ANTONIO – Longtime veterinarian Dr. Thomas Vice died overnight Wednesday after a battle with cancer. He was 82.
He had been a frequent guest on KSAT's “Good Morning San Antonio” through the years, offering advice to pet owners and featuring homeless cats and dogs up for adoption.
“I was truly blessed to have worked with the man for the last 10 years,” Dr. Pat Richardson said as he fought back tears. “I’m sorry to get so upset, but my world changed today.”
Richardson had acquired Broadway Oaks Animal Hospital from his mentor, Vice, who was still asking about patients despite his own failing health.
“He had seven different cancers. This last one was just the one he couldn’t beat,” Richardson said.
“He doesn’t have to be in pain anymore. We’ll miss his presence, but we know that he’s still there with his beloved animals,” said Judy Mashburn, who had brought her dog in for a checkup Wednesday. “He’s one of the top vets in heaven now.”
Felicia Glenn with the San Antonio Area Foundation wrote a piece for the Rivard Report in 2014 that described Vice as a humanitarian, devoted to animals of all kinds and the people who love them.
Glenn said last year, as another tribute, several of those who entrusted Vice with their pets, made videos posted on YouTube.
His wife of 55 years, Betty, has asked in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the following:
Richardson said a scholarship had just been endowed in Dr. Vice's name, an effort by several of his fellow veterinarians who were fishing buddies.
“We were going to tell him that today,” Richardson said.
He said the scholarships will help create a new generation of veterinarians.
But Richardson said there will never be another quite like Dr. Vice.
“After God made him, he said, ‘This is perfection,’” Richardson said.