By Albert Amateau
Dr. Clayton Kimble, a veterinarian who practiced in the Village for 38 years until he retired seven years ago, died June 20 at St. Vincent’s Hospital after a long illness. He was 71.
Born in Milton, Del., the son of Earl and Dorothy Reed Kimble, he went to I.E. Dupont High School in Wilmington, Del. He did his undergraduate work at Duke University and did his veterinary training at the University of Pennsylvania.
“Clay was an extraordinary person, active in gay community issues and a wonderful vet,” said Frank Green, who worked for Kimble for 15 years. “If you couldn’t pay, he wouldn’t charge you for treating your animal,” Green recalled.
“Everyone in the West Village knew him and his Abingdon Square Veterinary Clinic on Greenwich Ave.,” recalled Carl Paler, another friend. “He always found people to adopt homeless animals. Clay gave me a beautiful Siamese cat that I treasured for years.”
“People used to bring him injured pigeons — he never turned anyone away — and they’d knock on his door above the clinic late at night if they had a sick cat,” recalled Gabrielle Gearhart, who worked for Kimble from 1991 until he retired in 2001. “He was incredibly compassionate — especially kind to those lonely people who had lots of pets and no money. We’re going to miss him terribly.”
A memorial service will be held in September at a time and place to be announced.
Redden’s Funeral Home was in charge of cremation arrangements on June 24.
