Richard Tew

Pasadena Veterinary Hospital Closes After 61 Years

Contributed by Susan Mele


Dr. Edward A. Driscoll, Legend of Texas Veterinary Medicine
Has Died at 93


Dr. Edward A. Driscoll, DVM, passed away on March 20th at the age of 93.

With the passing of Dr. Driscoll, Pasadena’s oldest veterinary practice has

closed, and the city has lost one of its most beloved veterinarians and

citizens.


Edward Driscoll was born in Queens, New York City on October 4, 1917.

Ironically, October 4 is the Saint Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day, the Patron

Saint of All Animals.


He grew up with a love for animals and was inspired as a teenager to go into

veterinary medicine as a career after a veterinarian saved the life of one of

his hunting dogs. After graduation from Brooklyn Preparatory School at the

age of 15, he attended Fordham University and New York University, then

transferred to Texas A & M where he was a member of The Fightin’ Texas

Aggie Corps of Cadets. He graduated in 1941 from the School of

Veterinary Medicine.



Dr. Driscoll enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served overseas in the

China Burma India theater during WWII, achieving the rank of Major.

In 1943, he married the love of his life, Atha Lee Green, whom he

met while attending Texas A & M.


Dr. Driscoll moved to Pasadena in 1949 with a recently purchased Dodge,

his wife, 3 children, a golden retriever, a beagle, and $11.00. He worked

briefly with the Federal Meat Inspection system, then, in early 1950 he

opened the Pasadena Veterinary Hospital at the first of three locations the

practice would occupy over the next 61 years.


During his 61 years of practice he had a variety of clients, including Senator

John Glenn, who at the time was an astronaut and whose cat Dr. Driscoll

saved after it was severely lacerated late one night by an automobile fan (the

cat had crawled under the hood for warmth). Another notable client was

Lash LaRue, a film and television cowboy star of the 1950’s who came to

Driscoll’s home seeking emergency care for his German Shepard. Houston

wrestling promoter Paul Boesch and Houston television personality Marvin

Zindler were also clients. Though he rarely spoke about it, he also had a one

time “mystery client” who was in town and had need for emergency services

for his dog. The sharply dressed man, looking like a character from The

Sopranos, was grateful that Dr. Driscoll had saved his dog with emergency

surgery. He gave Dr. Driscoll a note with his private number and

instructions that if he ever needed someone “taken care of” just give him a

call. Dr. Driscoll never saw him again, nor did he ever make use of the

offer. He never named the mysterious client, which was probably the better

part of valor.


Dr. Driscoll treated all manner of animals in his 61 years of practice,

including exotic animals like lions, cougars, coyotes, raccoons, snakes,

turtles, lizards, alligators, eagles, hawks and many others. For many years,

during its operation, he volunteered his services at the Pasadena Zoo. You

could safely say that he treated animals from A to Z.


He moved his animal hospital to his last location in 1982 and continued

practice on a regular basis until January 2010, when he experienced some

health issues that interrupted his ability to be at his office on a regular basis.

Dr. Driscoll was so devoted to his practice and clients, that even from that

time until his death; he would intermittently open his practice if he were

able.


During his practice all four sons assisted at the clinic while growing up and

all of his grandchildren at one time or another worked for their “Grandpa”.

His wife Atha Lee was a constant partner and assistant through many of the

61 years of practice in Pasadena.


In December of 2009 Driscoll was the subject of a feature story in the Texas

Veterinarian Magazine, and in March of 2010, was honored in College

Station at a ceremony by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association as the

eldest practicing veterinarian in Texas, receiving the Heritage Award. At the

ceremony, Dr. Thomas Murnane, Brigadier General, DVM, spoke about the

then 92 year old Dr. Driscoll, “Veterinarians such as Dr. Driscoll exhibit a

sheer joy, love and passion for the practice of veterinary medicine – a

romance he has enjoyed all of his life.”


Dr. Driscoll was an Honor Role Member of the American Veterinary

Medical Association and a Life Member of the Texas Veterinary Medical

Association. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow as bestowed by the Pasadena

Rotary Club.


Mayor Johnny Isbell officially proclaimed March 30, 2011, “Dr. Edward A.

Driscoll Day” in the city of Pasadena.


Dr. Driscoll, or “Doc”, as he was affectionately known, was loved by his

thousands of clients. Many times, even knowing that the client wouldn’t or

couldn’t pay for his services, he never refused to aid or treat an animal.

In 1980 on the occasion of his 30th year in practice in Pasadena, the local

newspaper featured Dr. and Mrs. Driscoll in a front-page story. The reporter

asked the then 63 year old Driscoll about any future retirement plans. Dr.

Driscoll replied, “I don’t want to retire. I have enjoyed watching my client’s

children grow up and have children and pets of their own. I would miss

them if I retired”.


Dr. Driscoll figuratively got his wish, which was to be able to help animals

until the day he died. He will be missed by his many clients and friends. He

was a very modest man, who was honest, loving, loyal, and one of the

“Greatest” in the “Greatest Generation”.