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Remembering the Roots of Our Clinic
Dr. Robert K. Gay
Dr. Robert K. Gay, the founder of Dwight Veterinary Clinic which evolved into the Dwight-Pine Bluff-Lakewood Animal Hospitals, LLC passed away on February 14, 2005. Our clinics lost an extremely talented veterinarian and a true friend. Dr. Gay was a renowned mentor of many young veterinarians and set up the partnerships which would keep our practices thriving.
Dr. Gay graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College and Ontario Veterinary College of the University of Guelph, Canada in 1950. He opened his first clinic in Dwight in 1951, followed by Pine Bluff Animal Hospital in 1975, and later Lakewood Animal Hospital in 1992.
He will be remembered for his undying love of animals and his devotion to the people of Central, Illinois. In his own words, “I don’t know what I would have rather done and I don’t know a place I’d rather have done it in. It’s been a wonderful life.” Farewell, good friend.
Dr. Louis W. Cronin
“I love helping people take care of their family members.”
Dr. Louis Cronin considered his clients and their pets family, and treated them as such. Dr. Cronin earned his degree in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University, and joined Dwight Veterinary Clinic in 1975. He was a proud member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. After practicing compassionate and high-quality animal medicine at Dwight Animal Clinic, Lakewood Animal Hospital, Pine Bluff Animal Hospital, and Skinner Animal Clinic for forty years, his contributions will never be forgotten.
Dr. Cronin impacted our hospital family and the local community in an immeasurable way. He was many things to many people and animals. With our hospital family, he was an adored friend and devoted veterinarian. To Guardian Angel Basset Rescue and Livingston County Humane Society, he was a generous volunteer and talented veterinary professional. To St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, he was a charitable member and reliable church President. To the National Parks Conservation Association, he was a protector of nature who now, is forever amongst the beauty of the great outdoors.
We are fortunate to have worked alongside someone with such a big, benevolent heart who always inspired others with his enthusiasm and zest for life. Dr. Cronin is survived by the love of his life, Lynne, as well as three children, seven grandchildren, and four siblings. He savored traveling, camping, hiking, swimming, and spending time with his family and bird, Beeker. To his last day, Dr. Cronin was emphatic that we have so much to be thankful for, and it truly is a wonderful life.