1921
Warren
2010
Warren Julius Wegert
July 19, 1921 — January 6, 2010
Doc Wegert
"Doc," Warren Julius Wegert, DVM, was born on July 19, 1921, and passed away peacefully January 6, 2010, at Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital of congestive heart failure at the age of 88.
Doc leaves behind his loving wife Darlene and step-daughter Deborah Nelson; brother Roger Wegert and sister Dorothy Davis; his first wife and friend Rosmary Wegert; numerous nieces and nephews, and many, many good friends. Doc was preceded in death by his daughter Pamela, who passed away due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 1981, and his brother Tom Wegert, who passed away this past November.
Born and raised in the Parkrose area of Portland, Doc's parents were both pharmacists in the area and his dad raised and raced greyhounds – a hobby which young Warren quickly grew to love. Over his lifetime, Doc became one of the preeminent veterinarians in the world specializing in Racing Greyhounds and dogs from around the world were brought to his office (Banfield, The Pet Hospital) on 82nd Avenue for care. Doc was also a very successful greyhound breeder, owner and racer in his own right, with many All Americans and Stakes winners like Grandpa Charlie, Miss Gorgeous, Zagger, Zig Zag and J's C Ration. His kennel was ranked third in the world in winning purses in 1984.
Warren attended Parkrose Grade School and High School, and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy to protect his country during WWII. Doc saw lots of action in the Pacific Theater as a ship's telegraph operator, and was aboard the USS Kanawha when it was hit and sunk by a Kamikaze on April 18, 1943 – after which he and his shipmates swam in shark infested waters to a Japanese occupied island where they hid out until they were picked up a week later by an American submarine. A week or two later, Doc was back in the telegraph room of another ship.
After the war, Doc married his first wife, Rosmary Wegert, whom he met at a Navy dance, and enrolled in veterinary school at Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman. Doc graduated in 1952 and was one of only a few students who specialized in small animal medicine in the early '50s. After graduation, Doc stayed at the veterinary school to perfect various orthopedic surgery techniques and taught small animal surgery while his wife "Ro" ran the front office of the college's veterinary hospital.
Back in his neighborhood in Portland, Doc and Rosmary built one of the first buildings actually built specifically to be a Pet hospital (most clinics were in old houses or second-use buildings). He built the hospital with the help of neighbors and friends, actually laying the concrete blocks himself, and opened in 1955. Banfield, The Pet Hospital was built across the street from Glenhaven Grade School in order to be convenient for his clients, and was next to the Banfield to provide easy, convenient access. Doc was active in many professional and community organizations, and was very civic-minded – he even took on personal liability by personally guaranteeing the mortgage that allowed Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital to get started.
In 1987, Doc married Darlene, a long time friend, who he spent the rest of his life with.
By 1993, Doc's practice, Banfield, The Pet Hospital, had grown to be the largest veterinary practice in Oregon when the practice began expanding with the second Banfield, The Pet Hospital opening in Lacey, Washington. Doc always preferred to be in the surgery room or the exam room helping Pets rather than in the business side of the practice, and actively "doctored" patients until his full retirement about 10 years ago. Banfield continued expanding across the United States, the U.K. and Mexico, and with approximately 750 hospitals is still headquartered on 82nd Avenue across the street from the original Banfield hospital that Doc built, and is now the largest veterinary practice in the world. Doc loved helping his clients and his patients, and loved playing good natured jokes on his friends and family.
Doc enjoyed a happy retirement, going on cruises with Darlene, doing a little hunting with his buddies, playing a lot of cribbage with his best friend Ben Wright (who Doc claimed he always beat!), and enjoying his Pets and the wild ducks and geese on his pond with his wife Darlene.
He had a very generous heart, a wonderful zest for life, and was very lucky – Doc was still very much in love with Darlene and remained dear friends with Rosmary. Dr. Wegert accomplished much in his life and will be missed by his family, friends, colleagues – and his patients and Pets. He said many times that, "I never met a dog I didn't like – except the one that chased me around the surgery table!"
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Doc's name be made to: The Banfield Charitable Trust, Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital, The Oregon Humane Society, or another charity of your choice.
"Doc," Warren Julius Wegert, DVM, was born on July 19, 1921, and passed away peacefully January 6, 2010, at Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital of congestive heart failure at the age of 88.
Doc leaves behind his loving wife Darlene and step-daughter Deborah Nelson; brother Roger Wegert and sister Dorothy Davis; his first wife and friend Rosmary Wegert; numerous nieces and nephews, and many, many good friends. Doc was preceded in death by his daughter Pamela, who passed away due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 1981, and his brother Tom Wegert, who passed away this past November.
Born and raised in the Parkrose area of Portland, Doc's parents were both pharmacists in the area and his dad raised and raced greyhounds – a hobby which young Warren quickly grew to love. Over his lifetime, Doc became one of the preeminent veterinarians in the world specializing in Racing Greyhounds and dogs from around the world were brought to his office (Banfield, The Pet Hospital) on 82nd Avenue for care. Doc was also a very successful greyhound breeder, owner and racer in his own right, with many All Americans and Stakes winners like Grandpa Charlie, Miss Gorgeous, Zagger, Zig Zag and J's C Ration. His kennel was ranked third in the world in winning purses in 1984.
Warren attended Parkrose Grade School and High School, and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy to protect his country during WWII. Doc saw lots of action in the Pacific Theater as a ship's telegraph operator, and was aboard the USS Kanawha when it was hit and sunk by a Kamikaze on April 18, 1943 – after which he and his shipmates swam in shark infested waters to a Japanese occupied island where they hid out until they were picked up a week later by an American submarine. A week or two later, Doc was back in the telegraph room of another ship.
After the war, Doc married his first wife, Rosmary Wegert, whom he met at a Navy dance, and enrolled in veterinary school at Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman. Doc graduated in 1952 and was one of only a few students who specialized in small animal medicine in the early '50s. After graduation, Doc stayed at the veterinary school to perfect various orthopedic surgery techniques and taught small animal surgery while his wife "Ro" ran the front office of the college's veterinary hospital.
Back in his neighborhood in Portland, Doc and Rosmary built one of the first buildings actually built specifically to be a Pet hospital (most clinics were in old houses or second-use buildings). He built the hospital with the help of neighbors and friends, actually laying the concrete blocks himself, and opened in 1955. Banfield, The Pet Hospital was built across the street from Glenhaven Grade School in order to be convenient for his clients, and was next to the Banfield to provide easy, convenient access. Doc was active in many professional and community organizations, and was very civic-minded – he even took on personal liability by personally guaranteeing the mortgage that allowed Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital to get started.
In 1987, Doc married Darlene, a long time friend, who he spent the rest of his life with.
By 1993, Doc's practice, Banfield, The Pet Hospital, had grown to be the largest veterinary practice in Oregon when the practice began expanding with the second Banfield, The Pet Hospital opening in Lacey, Washington. Doc always preferred to be in the surgery room or the exam room helping Pets rather than in the business side of the practice, and actively "doctored" patients until his full retirement about 10 years ago. Banfield continued expanding across the United States, the U.K. and Mexico, and with approximately 750 hospitals is still headquartered on 82nd Avenue across the street from the original Banfield hospital that Doc built, and is now the largest veterinary practice in the world. Doc loved helping his clients and his patients, and loved playing good natured jokes on his friends and family.
Doc enjoyed a happy retirement, going on cruises with Darlene, doing a little hunting with his buddies, playing a lot of cribbage with his best friend Ben Wright (who Doc claimed he always beat!), and enjoying his Pets and the wild ducks and geese on his pond with his wife Darlene.
He had a very generous heart, a wonderful zest for life, and was very lucky – Doc was still very much in love with Darlene and remained dear friends with Rosmary. Dr. Wegert accomplished much in his life and will be missed by his family, friends, colleagues – and his patients and Pets. He said many times that, "I never met a dog I didn't like – except the one that chased me around the surgery table!"
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Doc's name be made to: The Banfield Charitable Trust, Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital, The Oregon Humane Society, or another charity of your choice.
Service
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 2:00 PM
Cemetery
Rose City Cemetery
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 3:00 PM
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