Dr. Houk was a colleague mentor and most of all a friend. He came to work for me in the late 90’s and ran our Longboat Key office. By then he had run the gamete of veterinary medicine. Starting in Ohio after graduation from The Ohio State University Veterinary School, he practiced both large and small animal medicine. His surgery skills were so good he was asked to come to Florida to help start the Veterinary School at the University of Florida. He decided to stay in Ohio where he owned several Animal Hospitals. The last was the prestigious Lake Shore Animal Hospital in downtown Chicago. After selling that hospital he looked for more veterinary challenges in Sarasota. Dr. Houk loved building practices. He worked at all of our hospitals over the years. He attempted to retire 3 or 4 times, but always ended here doing the thing he liked best, Veterinary Medicine. He truly loved his profession. Well into his eighties he still looked forward to the challenge of treating patients and talking to their owners. His skills never diminished, his curiosity never waned. He was working with Platelet Rich Plasma a stem cell precursor before his illness finally made him retire. He went back to Cincinnati, but always called to suggest thing we could do to improve our hospitals. Dr. Houk was what all Veterinarians should be. He was knowledgeable, compassionate and a friend to both owner and patient. He will be missed by us at Bay Road and Crossings Animal Hospitals. I know his many friends in Sarasota will miss him and never forget him.