Dr. Ernest Doyle Montgomery’s favorite Bible passage was, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praise worthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4: 8 - 9. Dr. Montgomery tried to uphold that passage whenever possible in life. Dr. Montgomery gently passed away Jan. 22, 2015, at Sipes Adult Homecare in SeaTac, where he lived the past three and half years.

Dr. Montgomery was born March 26, 1926, in Haubstadt, to Conrad Irwin and Ruby Montgomery.

He graduated from Haubstadt High School in 1944. He entered the Army Air Corps in January 1946, serving the majority of his time in Alaska as a weather and teletype technician until his discharge in September 1950. He then entered the State College of Washington, earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in June 1955.

He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue and was dedicated to his community, both locally and globally. Dr. Montgomery was very active and involved in the veterinary community during his career. He opened his first practice, Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital, in Seattle in 1956. In 1963, he opened Five Corners Veterinary Hospital in Burien with his colleague, Frank Lindeke, DVM. 

Dr. Montgomery was active in the Seattle Veterinary Medical Association, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association. He served in numerous leadership positions. Washington Governor, Booth Gardner appointed him to the Veterinary Board of Governors, where he served from 1994 – 1999. Dr. Montgomery retired in June 1997 and established the Dr. E. Doyle and Mrs. Matilda Montgomery Endowment Fund at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, to help students fulfill their dreams of becoming doctors of veterinary medicine. 

Dr. Montgomery loved his family and life, seeing the beauty of each day. He believed in positive thinking and enjoyed phrases such as Author Hal Borland’s “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” He enjoyed gardening, cooking, community activities, skiing, reading, and traveling domestically and aboard. He served on the WSU Foundation Board of Trustees and later as a Trustee Ambassador. Additionally, he served on the College of Veterinary Medicine Campaign Committee, WSU Foundation Gift Acceptance Cabinet and WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital Committee. He was a WSU Foundation Outstanding Service Award Recipient.

He is predeceased by his brother, Clifford Montgomery of Haubstadt, and his sister, Mariam (Montgomery) Bender of Poseyville. He is survived by his wife, Matilda Montgomery, and brother David Montgomery of Rogersville, Alabama, by daughters Sandra Roberts (Jeff) of Kent and Tami Montgomery. Also survived by step-daughters, Tarina Baldwin Jenkins (Dave) and MiLinda Baldwin Monaghan (P.J.).