Dr. Henry E. Childers, Jr., “DOC” died peacefully on April 15, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Alabama in 1930. After Veterinary School at Auburn University, he joined the Army Corp of Veterinarians. He met his wife, Patricia A. (Redihan) Childers and married in 1955. Together in 1956 they founded the Cranston Animal Hospital on Park Avenue in Cranston. They moved to Edgewood, raised 5 children and many more animals, including Dali, their llama that walked in the opening day ceremony at the Edgewood Yacht Club. They resided on Bluff Ave. for 58 glorious years.
Dr. Childers had a love for sailing, skiing, and all things veterinary medicine. He was an Assistant Clinical Professor at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, and the second veterinarian to serve as both President of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, where he served as a member of their Council of Regents and was Chairman of their Continuing Education Committee.
Throughout his career, Dr. Childers was active in organized veterinary medicine. In addition to serving two terms as President of the Rhode Island VMA, he served as their Secretary and Treasurer, chaired the Continuing Education Committee for 15 years, and was Editor of the RIVMA Newsletter. He was President of the New England VMA and chaired the Rhode Island Veterinary Board of Examiners.
Nationally, Dr. Childers served on the AVMA Councils on Education and Public Relations, the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, as a consultant to the National Board Examination Committee, Seminar Chair of the Scientific Program. He represented District 1, acting on behalf of veterinarians in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont, on the AVMA Executive Board. Dr. Childers served as President of the American Animal Hospital Association, chair of their Annual Scientific Meeting, President of the AAHA Foundation, and as a member of the Review Board of the Foundation. He also served as a member of the Executive Board of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.
His honors include the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine Childers Award – An annual award established in honor of Dr. Childers for sustained and extraordinary contributions to the education of Tufts veterinary students, Auburn University College of veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Service Award, Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award, Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award, 1991 AAHA’s Northeast Region Practitioner of the Year, 1992 AAHA’s National Practitioner of the Year, 1984 AVMA Veterinary Continuing Educator Award, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Council of Reagents and Outstanding Service Awards, and 2006 First Recipient of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinarian of the Year Award.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Pat; beloved children Patricia Childers with her son Oliver, Henry Childers IV with his wife Nina and sons Max and Henry, Alyce Childers, Caroline Childers Audet with her husband Jeff and children Clayton, Emma and Jax. Henry is predeceased by his two beloved sons Henry Childers III and John Childers.
A visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Friday, April 19, 2024 in the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Rd., North Kingstown. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 12, Noon on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in St. Bernard Church, 275 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown. His burial will be privately held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Henry’s honor can be made to the Cranston Animal Shelter at 920 Phenix Ave, Cranston, RI 02921.
Kindly visit the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home online for information and online condolences, www.TheQuinnFuneralHome.com
