Dr. Ian R. Wetherly of Congers,
NY, age 82, passed away Dec. 11, 2020 at Good Samaritan Hospital. He was born
to Hetty and Reginald Wetherly in Pinner, Middlesex, UK, and spent his
childhood in wartime North London. He graduated from the John Lyons School of
Harrow and was accepted as a foreign student at Cornell University in 1957. He graduated with his DVM in 1962 and
returned to London where he interned at the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons and earned his MRCVS. In 1964
he returned to the US and 2 years later set up a solo practice in Haverstraw
where he became lovingly known as "Doc" and spent 55 happy years
doing what he loved the most. In addition to his own practice, he treated the
native animals at the Bear Mountain Zoo on site, and was the veterinarian for the
research animals in the osteoporosis and bone healing studies at Helen Hayes
Hospital. Doc served on the board of the Rockland-Westchester Veterinary
Society for many years and was the president from 2012-2016. He was awarded the
New York State Veterinary Medical Society's Lifetime Service Award at Cornell shortly
after his retirement in 2018. He loved magic shows, his sports car, the Cornell
campus, and sitting by his pond feeding his fish. When he was not at his hospital Ian loved to
repair antique clocks and was an active member of the National Watch and Clock
Association. He was a natural storyteller, who could put people at ease with
his colorful and usually very funny tales.
He
is survived by his wife, Janet Cooper-Wetherly of Congers, 4 sons and 8
grandchildren: Dr. Mark L. Wetherly, his wife Laura and son Mark A. of Marietta,
GA, James P. Wetherly, his wife Rebecca and son James A. of Alexandria, VA.
Geoffrey Cooper of Columbia PA, his son Devon, daughter Victoria, and their
mother Deb Barbour of York PA, Gregory Cooper, his wife Keri, son Jack and
daughter Erin of Marina, CA and granddaughters Sarah Wetherly of Lynchburg
VA, and Patricia Wetherly of Athens GA.
Due to the pandemic, funeral arrangements
and internment will be private; however the family
will hold a memorial service to celebrate his life at a later date. Memorial donations
in Ian's memory may be made to the Veterinary Science Program, Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Rockland County, 10 Patriot Hills Ln, Stony Point, NY
10980