CHIMACUM–Tony Rogstad, a veterinarian who was credited with the rescue and rehabilitation of thousands of wild animals found injured, sick or abandoned over the years, died Monday of an apparent heart attack according to a source close to the family.
He was 53.
“He will be sorely missed,” said Officer Phil Henry of the Department of Fish and Wildlife who was both a colleague of and a friend to Rogstad.
“He was essential to the preservation and protection of wildlife in East Jefferson County, and I have no idea what we are going to do now.”
Rogstad, along with his wife, Jeanette, helped animals with two different outlets.
He operated the Chimacum Valley Veterinary Hospital on Chimacum Road as a standard animal clinic, which helped to finance the rescue operations.
Along with his wife he operated TJ’s Wildlife Center in Chimacum, which handled thousands of wild creatures with 40 to 50 volunteers and six veterinarians involved.
The center has existed in its current location since 2005, but the Rogstads founded it in 1981 in Southeast King County near Seattle.
Animals ‘their kids’
The Rogstads discovered the Chimacum area while on vacation and chose to move to the valley.
The Rogstads had no children.
“The animals were their kids,” Henry said.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
A message on the clinic’s phone on Monday said it was closed due to a family emergency and directed patients to other local veterinarians.
“The memorial service, when it happens, will be huge,” Henry said.
“He was loved by everybody.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew contributed to this report.
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.