To the editor:
I’m writing to you about a wonderful legend, not just in Brown County but several places all over.
Dr. Brester was absolutely the best vet ever. He did everything in love at all times, always. He put his whole heart and soul into his work each and every day of his life for 50 years, almost 51 years, before he retired. He had a sign on his office wall that read, “When you love your job, you’ll never work another day in your life,” had he lived by that each and every day.
He started his farm calls at 5 a.m., then came home and started his clinic work and sometimes didn’t get out until 9 or 10 p.m. He not only did cats and dogs, puppies and kittens; he also had a wildlife license and took care of raccoons, oppossums, squirrels, rabbits, monkeys, even a 150-pound cougar named Elkie, and a 650-pound African lion, Keano. Yes, you read this right; this man never turned away any job. He took care of horses, cows, bulls, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens — he did it all!
He did all this with the best love and kindness of his ability. He shared his special love not just to his animals but his special kindness to all his people that came to him with their animals, not just from Brown County but all over Bloomington, Columbus, Martinsville, Franklin, Greenwood, Indy, Kentucky, Tennessee, Chicago, Florida, and one lady I spoke with came clear from California.
Doc took care of a hound dog that came out of the woods so covered in ticks all over his body that you couldn’t even see his face. Doc said this was the second-worst tick infection he ever had in his career, didn’t know if the dog would make it, but he pulled him through. We named the dog “Woody.” Then, years, later, he was hit by a car that knocked him in the woods. My nephew, Dale, found him covered in maggots all over his body. He took him to Brester and he couldn’t promise much, but Doc did his best, and much to all our surprises, Woody pulled through, and Doc looked in this dog’s eyes and said, ‘You have already used up nine lives and you’re a dog!”
Well, this man was so generous to all his people he served with his very cheap prices, it was unbelievable. He never charged a price when he had to give your pet a shot that was suffering and had to be put down. That’s how loving and kind he was. He would say, “I’m so sorry I couldn’t do anything to help so there’s no charge.” He always did everything heart and soul, with love and kindness, always treated you like family and friends, not just a customer!
As hard as it was to say goodbye when God called him home just three days before Christmas, let me say to all his family and friends, his love will always and forever remain in our heart and souls forever and always, as will the memories. I can’t believe he dedicated his life to his career for almost 51 years, didn’t retire until he was 75, and now we will honor his 79th birthday in heaven.
So let us all rejoice his healing in God and know he’s happy and healthy with our Lord. Doc Brester, you will forever be our hero and deep in all of our hearts you will always and forever say loved and missed every day! Live, laugh and love with faith and hole and the greatest of these is love!
We love you, Doc Brester!
<p style="text-align: right"><strong>Sherry Richhart, Brown County</strong></p>
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