A wonderful eulogy for my much loved, recently departed, friend, Kevin Wright (pictured with me in our recent profile photos) that was published in this weeks Herp Digest. Dammit I miss him. On September 26, 2013, the field of veterinary medicine lost a great mind. Kevin Wright completed his DVM at the University of Florida in 1988, launching one of the greatest careers in herpetological medicine possible. First as a veterinarian at the Philadelphia zoo and then at the Phoenix zoo, he had the fortuitous opportunity to immerse himself in zoological medicine. From there, he launched into private practice as the president and leader of the team at the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital and then as solo practitioner of his own Wright Exotic Pet and Bird House Call Service. Over these years, in addition to practicing medicine of the highest caliber, he was the president of the ARAV, published countless papers on a myriad of exotic animal veterinary medical topics, co-authored the legacy text on amphibian medicine and surgery, and even edited the amphibian medicine chapters for the most recent edition of Reptile Medicine and Surgery. An accomplished speaker and presenter, his talks were both exceptionally informative and engaging. He was awarded the Hill’s Nutrition Award in 1988, the Exotic DVM of the year in 2008, and twice awarded the Speaker of the Year at the NAVC conference, in 2009 and again in 2012. In 2010 he achieved the goal he sought in his professional life; he was one of the first 5 clinicians awarded ABVP diplomate status as a specialist in reptile and amphibian medicine and surgery. For all his professional achievements, they are pale to the ones he achieved in his life. Dr. Wright has mentored and guided dozens, if not hundreds, of young, eager students and interns to strive for the best. He knew the way to light the fire of curiosity and knowledge in so many people that it will never be possible to assess the reach his enthusiasm had. Many hundreds of colleagues the world over are proud to have known him and thankful for the positive influence he has had on them. Those who had the pleasure to talk with him all remember the hyperintelligent, irreverent man best known both for atypical greetings and the ability to make astounding, brilliant statements and deductions. Furthermore, his presentation of these topics would make them as understandable and modest as the nose on his face. It has been remarked that his mind could do laps while the bulk of us would just crawl: The difference was that he was always willing to carry us around the track with him. On a personal note, Kevin was a dear friend to so many of us. Some would see and talk with him often, while others would only see him annually; it made no difference, as he was a “forever” friend. Even if no words had passed in some time, he would warmly welcome you the moment he saw you, and within minutes, it would feel like it had only been yesterday. We all understand when we say, “the personal details of his greetings are best left unsaid…” He loved his science and his medicine, but he adored his home, his pets, his comics and toys, and most of all, his wife of 25 years, Marlene. She has long been the support that kept him strong, a guide through his maze of a life, and always his encouragement. We all now share in her grief and loss, and keep her in our thoughts for strength and healing. In memoriam, the world is a quieter, less brilliant, and much less silly place without Dr. Kevin Wright in it. The world will never see another mind like his.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 20:16:00 +0000
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