David Joseph Stricker, Sr., DVM, of Amelia, Ohio died Dec. 25 with family in Withamsville, Ohio after an adventurous and active life. Dr. Stricker leaves behind his former wife Connie (nee Munz) and children Julia Esposito, DVM (Dave), Amy Okin (Peter), Lisa Ross (Justin), Jenny Stricker, David Stricker, Jr. (Martha Claypool) and Linda Palacios (Criss). He is also the beloved grandfather of 10, including Joseph and Michael Esposito; Roman, Adrian, Jonathan and Christian Ross; Emma and Andrew Okin; and Natalia Palacios, with baby brother Alex on the way.
Dr. Stricker’s deceased parents are Helen (nee Snider) and Melvin Stricker of Highland Heights, Kentucky, and he is survived by his five sisters, including Mary Anne Pinelli, Kathleen Vonderhaar (Lee), Martha Stricker (Matthew Ploucha), Trish Hunt (Mark) and Jann Hartman (Alan), as well as his companion Yvette Riley.
David graduated from Newport Catholic High School in 1969, and went to Thomas More College, where he met his wife Connie. He then finished his pre-veterinary studies at the University of Kentucky and married Connie in 1973. They moved to Auburn, Alabama for Dave to attend Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. He graduated in 1977 as a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) and moved with his wife and first two daughters to Dayton, Kentucky. After working at Highland Heights Veterinary Hospital and Grady Animal Hospital, Dr. Stricker and his wife opened Clermont Animal Hospital in Batavia, Ohio in September 1980. He had a deep passion for veterinary medicine and grew his practice into a thriving clinic, caring for animals around the region, not only treating house pets, but exotic animals, including kangaroos, monkeys, mountain lions, reptiles and more.
In 2003, his daughter Julia (Stricker) Esposito, DVM, joined his practice, and together they designed their new state-of-the-art clinic, which opened in 2016. It has since been named the Best of the East by Cincy Magazine and has served more than 20,000 families in the past 38 years. Dr. Stricker also had a love for the outdoors, camping and hiking, as well as a special interest in the Native American culture and history.
In January the Batavia Community Center and Park will be commemorating their new dog park in honor of Dr. Stricker for his longstanding dedication to the animals of the community. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to this dog park via Rex Parsons, Batavia Township Trustee. Donations can also be made to Hospice of Greater Cincinnati or UC Barrett Cancer Center. More information for these charities can be found at www.clermontanimal.net.
A memorial Mass was held at St. Thomas More Church in Withamsville, Ohio (788 Ohio Pike) Saturday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. In lieu of a visitation, a Celebration of Life was held in the St. Thomas More Parish Hall Jan. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors are welcome to bring photos of Dr. Stricker and animals he has helped through the years.