MEMORIAL
Remembering
Rich Eilers III, DVM
The Louisville Zoo family
lost a longtime friend and
volunteer with the passing
of Dr. A. J. (Rich) Eilers III,
DVM, who passed away on
Sept. 9, 2016 at the age of 71.
A well-known fixture in the
Louisville veterinary community, Dr.
Eilers owned and operated Browns-
boro Animal Clinic for 42 years. His
connection to the Zoo was deep —
working as one of the first keepers
at the Zoo from 1968 to 1970, and
ultimately serving as one of the first
of the “on-call” Zoo veterinarians
from 1974 to 1977, when Dr. Bill
Foster was hired as the Zoo’s first
full-time veterinarian.
"Dr. Eilers was a great mentor
to me during my early years at the
Zoo," said Dr. Foster. "He helped
me understand the special care
needed to support the precious
animals at the Louisville Zoo. He
showed me kindness and patience
as I learned the ropes. I always had
a passion for animal welfare; Dr.
Eilers helped inspire my career that
has included more than a decade as
a Zoo veterinarian and 28 years in
director positions at both the
Loui sville Zoo and Birming-
ham Zoo. He will be missed
greatly."
In addition to his work as
a Zoo vet, Dr. Eilers served
as president of the Louisville
Zoo Society in 1977 and
1978, and president of the
Kentucky Veterinary Medi-
cal Association in 1982 and
1983. He remained close to the Zoo
throughout his career, taking pride
in how much the place had trans-
formed over the years and remem-
bering the grassroots approach that
the community took in the Zoo’s
early years to make it the special
place it is today.
Born and raised in Louisville, Rich
Eilers grew up in St. Matthews,
attended Holy Trinity Parish School
and was a 1963 graduate of Trinity
High School. He earned his bach-
elor’s and masters’ degree from the
University of Louisville and Universi-
ty of Kentucky, and was a graduate
of the Tuskegee University School of
Veterinary Medicine.
He is survived by his wife, Bar-
bara; son Jody Eilers; daughters
Mayme Eilers Hunter and Libby
Eilers; brothers Steven Eilers and
Kenneth Eilers; sister Ann Eilers
Lilly; and grandchildren Gus Eilers,
Sophie Eilers and Zoey Eilers; and
many nieces and nephews.
Rich Eilers will forever be
remembered for not only his
quick wit and sense of humor,
but also for the care and com-
passion he showed to the many
animals under his care — as well
as to their owners. The Louisville
Zoo and our many visitors over the
years owe a debt of gratitude for
his contributions to the welfare of
our animals.
Photo courtesy of
The Courier-Journal
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Winter 2016 • 25