Richard A. Weaver, 76, Who Founded Veterinary Wellness Center of North Canton, Died in Motorcycle Crash

Richard Austin Weaver, 76, who opened the Veterinary Wellness Center of North Canton two years ago to provide low-cost basic veterinary services, died July 28 in a motorcycle accident in Whitehall, MT.

Weaver, a veterinarian for 48 years, set up his wellness center to offer vaccines, medical tests and treatment of minor illnesses for pets, whose owners could not otherwise afford it.

His family intends to keep offering those services, according to this statement posted on the center’s website: “Dr. Weaver’s passion for providing veterinary care at the Veterinary Wellness Center of North Canton will continue by way of his team and other certified veterinarians who will assist in the interim.”

Establishing the wellness center appears to be an extension of Weaver’s Christian mission work.

Weaver, who earned a master’s degree in Christian ministries from Malone University in 2004, went on mission trips to such countries as Haiti, Honduras and Romania to teach poverty-stricken farmers how to care for their animals.

As the tribal veterinarian on the Oglala Sioux Reservation in Pine Ridge, SD, in 1973, he treated animals and worked with at-risk youth.

Closer to home, Weaver, a member of Christian Motorcyclists Association and Chapel Riders Motorcycle Club, volunteered for several years with the Salvation Army’s free meal program.

Upon opening the wellness center in 2009, he told the Canton Repository that he hoped to “get into dental health, which really relates to wellness. Bacteria in the mouth is an opportunity for bacteria to get into the blood stream and is the primary cause of kidney disease.”

Weaver had some experience with animal dentistry, including a well-publicized incident in 1991, when he helped three “people” dentists perform root canal surgery on a privately owned 165-pound black bear.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia “Ginny;” and siblings, Nancy Hoover and Howard. Listed as surviving children are Wayne Watkins, Kim Young, Trent Badger, Tammy Crowe, Geoffrey Nelson, Douglas Nelson, Gregory Nelson and Trevor Nelson. Numerous grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive.

Friends may call from 10-11:45 a.m. Friday at , 715 Whittier Ave. NW., where a celebration of life will follow at noon.

Donations may be made to Christian Veterinary Mission, 19303 Fremont Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98133.

Arrangements are by Arnold Funeral Home of Canton.