Vet’s work ethic, community spirit will be missed
April 13, 2016
John Broussard
April 14, 2016
Born in Patterson and raised in Gibson, Dick C. Walther, DVM, died on March 25, 2016. He was 86 years old.
The son of Stanley and Elsie Walther, Dick Walther grew up in the small town of Gibson.
His dad ran the town store, and Dick wiled away his afternoons riding horses. When he graduated from Terrebonne High School, Dick sold his horses, packed up his things and headed to Louisiana State University His goal: earning an engineering degree.
Life was good until one fateful day when, while playing baseball, Dick broke his ankle.
The injury required his return home and an extended rehabilitation. It was during the break that Stanley Walther pulled his second son aside and offered him a bit of life-changing advice. He suggested Dick change his course and re-enroll in LSU’s pre-veterinary medicine program.
“My dad always had horses, cattle and household pets when he was growing up,” oldest son John Walther recalled. “That I knew of, he always wanted to be a veterinarian. Certain people have a natural affinity for animals, and Dad was one of them.”
With his pre-vet medicine degree under his belt, Dick headed to Texas A&M University. There, he picked up his degree and his wife.
Ernestine Smith hailed from Bryan, Texas. She was working as a receptionist in the veterinarian department when she caught Dick’s eye.
The two wed June 28, 1955 – the day after Dick graduated from vet school.
Back in South Louisiana, Dick Walther was one of the region’s few veterinarians … and one of the few vets to treat large animals for a number of years, son John said. (Today, son Glenn runs the Walther practice on St. Charles Street in Houma.)
Dick and Ernestine welcomed four sons into their family: John, Dan, Glenn and Ben.
From as far back as John can remember, his father advocated for proper animal health and care.
“He was a strong advocate, whether it was for household pets, cattle or even performance animals,” John said. “I can remember him treating the big circus animals anytime the circus came to town. There was no animal he wasn’t willing to treat.”
Veterinarian care in area in the early 1960s consisted mainly of large animals: cattle, horses and the like. “It wasn’t like today,” John said. “Back then, there were a number of farms in this region. Pretty much everyone had a few horses, cattle or a pig. Dad treated mostly farm animals then. Today, veterinarian practices see more household pets and very few large animals.
Very few do large animals. Up until when he retired, he was still one of the only veterinarians around who would treat cattle.”
And from the time the Walther boys were young, Dick included them in his practice.
“I grew up in the veterinarian practice… through my high school years until I went to LSU,” John said. “My dad taught by example. He was a great teacher and a great mentor. He always took the time to include us in what he was doing.”
John still remembers returning from local farms with fresh tomatoes or produce, the day’s partial payment for a job much appreciated. “Whatever the farmers grew, they sent us home with. They may have had truck crops, a milk cow, pigs or chickens. More often, we went home with fresh produce.”
It was Dick Walther’s reputation as an honest businessman willing to lend a hand whenever he could that most impressed his oldest son.
“Dad never turned anyone down. That’s just the kind of guy he was,” John said. “He was a people person. That was one of his greatest talents, relating to people.”
Back at the Walther homestead, Dick raised Charolais bulls on his cattle farm. It was his pride and joy.
“He started when we were younger,” John said. “I remember coming up in school showing 4-H animals. Eventually, it became the real working farm that it is today. Dad became well known for his work as a cattleman. That was his pride and joy – watching those calves grow and the herd build.”
Dick’s loyalty to the 4-H was unprecedented. For years, he provided health certificates to students’ animals pro bono.
Dr. Dick was named Louisiana Veterinarian of the Year in 1992. He’d been with the association since 1955 when he graduated from Texas A&M. He’d earned equal respect in his role as president of the organization years earlier.
Dick Walther also served as president of the Terrebonne Parish Cattleman’s Association, and served on committees with the state and national Cattleman’s Associations. He also served on the Louisiana Livestock Sanitary Board, Terrebonne Parish Farm Bureau, Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana 4-H Foundation. He also oversaw the Gibson Cemetery, as did his father. One of his sons will assume that role.
“Dad always taught us, if you are going to do a job, make sure you do it well. Don’t take shortcuts,” John said. “To ensure a successful outcome, do the groundwork and make sure you have all your bases covered. It has served me well in my life.
“His work ethic, sense of duty to his community and, most of all, treating people equally and fairly. Those are the things I’ll most remember and the things I’ll most miss.”
Dick C. Walther was one of Terrebonne Parish’s first veterinarians, opening his mixed animal practice in Houma in 1955. He is survived by his wife, Ernestine, and four sons.
