DR. ROBERT L. CLINTON

1915 - 2012

Dr. Robert L. Clinton passed away May 4, 2012.

He was born November 5, 1915 in Bellingham, WA to Florence and Lester Clinton. The family soon moved to Rice, WA where they farmed; he decided at age 7 or 8 to become a veterinarian when they lost a cow, he just knew he could have been saved had he known how. He graduated from Kettle Falls High in 1934 and Washington State University (then called WSC) in 1939. After interning in Yakima and Bremerton, he started practice in Mount Vernon, WA where he and three dairymen founded Evergreen Breeders, the first artificial insemination association in the state, now known as All West/Select Sires.

Having been a First Lieutenant in the reserves in college, he was drafted in 1942 three weeks after marrying Lillian Haselwood; they spent the next four years with the air Force during which time two children, Sharon and Allen, were born. Discharged as a Major in 1946, they returned to Burlington and practiced privately until adding a partner, Dr. Paul Van Eeckhout and building the first Skagit Animal Clinic in 1955. With partners Dr. Fred Stump and Dr. Howard DuBois, he built the second Skagit Animal Clinic from which he retired in 1977.

After his first marriage ended, Robert married Ellen Schock in 1966 and welcomed two children, Judy and Jim, to his family. After retirement, Robert and Ellen enjoyed traveling in their motor home and time with family.

Some of Robert's activities include the following: member of WSU Alumni Board 1952-58, Burlington-Edison School Board Member 1954-60 and lifelong avid Tiger fan, helped organize the Tri-county Veterinary Association and served as president of it and the Skagit County Veterinary Association, long time member of the Elks and National Veterinary Medical Association, taught the first cow milker training class in the U.S. at SVC from 1985-90, Skagit County Weed Control Officer 1984-85, Vet at the Puyallup Fair from 1987-92. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and after retiring, loafing.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Marvin and Dale and his wife, Ellen.

He is survived by sister Lois Page (Paul) and brother Stanley Clinton (Barbara) both of Spokane; his first wife Lillian Plunkett of Ellensburg, daughter Sharon Hinton (Jim) their daughters, Kristen Hinton VanValkenburg (John), their daughter Jaelynn, all of Mount Vernon and Jaime Sue Hinton, California; Allan Clinton (Jill) of Quepos, Costa Rica, Allan's daughter Carmen (Hawaii) and her two children, Chelsea and Clint; Judy Schock Johnson (Gary) and their sons Todd, Mount Vernon, and Tyler (Tina) their children Max and Ellie; Jim Schock of Bellingham; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Bruce Mathey, the wonderful people at Puget Sound Oncology and all those who cared for Robert at Mira Vista Care Center.

Cremation was handled by Hulbush Funeral Home.

Robert was adamant about no services and family will honor that wish.