I am publishing Dr. Hagle's obituary because of his love for animals and his keen interest and care for their owners in Yolo County. He treated many dogs and cats in my family. He never lacked for either a humorous or heartwarming anecdote to share after your pet was helped and calmed before you left his office.
Dick had his heart attack not too long after mine and I saw him in rehab at Sutter Cardio-rehab in Davis from time to time. I was glad and honored to be able to share again some hearty laughs and fond memories before he died. We were supposed to meet again and share a favorite whiskey sometime soon, but, not soon enough. Alas.
Goodbye Dick . . . Woff . . . Woff. . . meooow. Lots of your friends waiting to see you again.
Davis Richard B. Hagle, D.V.M., Dec. 12, 1935 - Feb. 21, 2018
He was born in Eureka, CA, on Dec. 12, 1935, to John and Lorraine Hagle, and grew up in Colusa, graduating from Colusa High School. He enlisted in the Air Force upon graduation and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, serving in England.
Dick received his D.V.M. in 1964 from the University of California at Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. He initially practiced at Yolo Veterinary Clinic, then opened his own veterinary practice, Woodland Veterinary Hospital, in 1974. After selling the practice in 1996, he was a consultant and expert witness for many years with the California Veterinary Medical Board. He joined the California Army National Guard in the 1970's, where he was the Veterinary Staff Officer at the 175th Medical Brigade in Sacramento. He retired with the grade of Colonel in 1995. Dick had been President and was a Distinguished Life Member of the Sacramento Valley Veterinary Medical Association, and was a member of the California Veterinary Medical Association. He had served on the Board of Visitors of the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine.
He was a beloved figure to both clients and those who worked with him. What defined him as a veterinarian was his professional skill, heartfelt compassion, dedication to always treating people and animals right, tireless work ethic, great sense of humor, and storytelling ability. As one client remembered, "Dr. James Herriott had NOTHING on him - because no visit with Dick was complete without a discussion of an unusual animal/vet story!" Few people knew that he treated sick and injured animal control dogs and cats and police dogs without charge to the local agencies. He had lived in Old Willowbank in Davis for many years and was married for 36 years to his wife, Diana, who survives him. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Susan (Reiff) of Woodland, Laura (Padilla) of San Diego, Kurt of Oklahoma City and Polly (Castillo) of Woodland.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Sacramento Valley Veterinary Medical Association (SVVMA) Charitable Foundation, the SPCA of Sacramento (Florin Perkins Road), Marines' Memorial Foundation of San Francisco, or Yolo Hospice. A military service and interment will be at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon at a date later in the spring. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Woodland Funeral Chapel. Published in Daily Democrat on Mar. 7, 2018
Come on Class of ‘68, if they can do it, so can we. If you didn’t get an invitation, please let me know and I will have one mailed to you (by Paul Lieberum). If you did get one, be sure to turn it in to reserve your spot. I’d love to see pictures from our high school years if any of you have them. In the meantime . . . Let the diet begin 😀
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