Obituary for DAVE CATLIN

Dave Catlin, our beloved husband, Dad, son, brother, uncle and friend, died early Saturday morning, Dec. 31, 2005, from injuries sustained in an auto accident.

He was the second child born to Jack and Mary Catlin on Aug. 16, 1955, in Fort Collins Colo. He grew up in Bozeman, graduating from Bozeman High School and Montana State University. He worked as a wrangler and guide at the 320 Ranch and the Elk Horn Ranch in Gallatin Canyon.

Dave continued his education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, receiving his doctorate in veterinary medicine and later an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Dave and his beloved Laura (Zabriskie) were married on June 21, 1986, at Soldier's Chapel in Big Sky. They began their life together in Denver, where he worked as a veterinarian at the Littleton Large Animal Clinic. Their first son, James, was born in Littleton in June 1989. What a joy he is to his Mom and Dad.

Dave continued his career as Ambulatory Clinician for CSU in Fort Collins. A precious little girl, Rachel, was born in July 1991. Dave and Laura moved their family back to Bozeman in 1993, where he went into private practice. He eventually established Equine Veterinary Associates. The clinic has a regional reputation as a premier facility for equine surgery and medicine. Dave and the clinic staff at EVA are known for the compassion they have for each and every animal and for the people who belong to them.

Their son, Philip, was born in Bozeman in June 1994. He is a wonderful gift.

Dave loved his family deeply. Time spent camping, fishing, hunting and skiing are precious memories. We will treasure the days and years we were given with Dave. His zeal for life, his giving nature, his deep laugh and ever present sense of humor will always be with us.

Dave's enthusiasm was evident in everything he did; his lifelong love and passion for horses and mules, pack trips, handball tournament competition, his artistic eye with photography, painting and drawing, mountain climbing, fly fishing, his love of a good story and a good laugh, basketball, skiing and for always doing the right thing with gentle kindness.

Dave was preceded in death by his Dad, Jack. We know they are now together, probably playing handball!

Dave is survived by his wife, Laura; children, James, Rachel and Phillip; his mother, Mary; brother, Dan and wife Kristy and their sons, Sam and Cole; sister, Jennie and husband Charles Nemec and their son, Ian; father and mother-in-law, George and Thyrza Zabriskie; sister-in-law, Anne and husband Chad Castren and their sons, Izaak and Ruben; brother-in-law, Gray and wife Shari and their son, Forest; and his constant companion and family dog, Floyd.

We love you, Dave, miss you greatly and look forward to when we will all be reunited.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at St. James Episcopal Church in Bozeman. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Dave Catlin Memorial Fund, c/o St. James Episcopal Church, 5 West Olive, Bozeman, MT 59715.

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