A Personal Message from Dr. Lange

To My Staff, Clients, and Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that after practicing small animal veterinary medicine and surgery for 45 years I have chosen to retire and spend time doing those things that God has put on hold in my life while working. There are no words to express the gratitude I have for all of you, and the love and joy we have experienced together my past 43 years at Lange Animal Hospital.

Rick and I had this dream in 1977 of coming to east Tennessee and building a practice that would make us proud and that the community would embrace and support, and I look back and feel in my heart that through the grace of God, we were able to accomplish that dream. Only through the efforts of my amazing staff and the loyalty of the thousands of clients who have shared their pets with us have we been able to make such a positive impact. I take no credit but give all glory and honor for anything we have been able to accomplish to my glorious God, who took two long-haired brother veterinarians from Iowa and challenged them to think big and go for it. In God’s eyes, nothing is too great to accomplish for those who believe and are obedient, and Rick and I were both recipients of his grace and blessing. Losing Rick in 1999 was very difficult but as I have told many people, when I lost Rick he took part of me with him; but the real blessing is that part of him remained in me, and I have tried to honor him and his memory in the subsequent years.

I have many wonderful memories of amazing animals and pet owners that few people are blessed to experience, and these memories will carry me forward as I pursue the next chapter in God’s plan for my life.

Thank you so much, Christy and Jessica, for putting up with my crazy schedule when I would be called away to care for an emergency and miss some important events in your and our lives.

Thank you current and past staff members for being the best partners in practice and for helping make our journey together rewarding as well as lots of fun! You are the best and I love all of you.

And, finally, thank you to the best clients (now friends) who have remained loyal and supportive during these many years. In retirement the biggest loss for me personally will be missing the daily interaction with you and your pets. I will miss all of you very much.

In closing I want to assure you that Lange Animal Hospital is now in the hands of a wonderful group who will continue to offer the high level of care you have come to know and expect. Our DVM’s and support staff are for the most part unchanged, and our goal will be to continue to provide the highest level of medical care with our unique and special personal touch, assuring you that you and your pet are very special and important to all of us.

I have been truly blessed and thank all of you for being part of my amazing life.

God bless,

Dr. Randy Lange

 

51 Comments

  1. Amber Carrizales on May 19, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for the Knoxville community, Dr. Lange! You are such a treasure!

  2. George C. Wallace on May 20, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    Thank you for everything you have done for Stephanie & me. I always enjoy seeing you and conversing about our lives. Thank you for your friendship. May God, our God, continue to bless you in immeasurable ways.

  3. Carole logue on May 20, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    Dr Lange .. I have only been in Tennessee for 2 years but from my first visit to you with my sweet babies Kay and Taco you cared for them like your own and I could never thank you enough for that !! I wish you the best and many more happy memories in your retirement!! You will truly be missed !! Carole Kay & Taco Logue

  4. Jeff and Claire and Tolly Evans on May 20, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    Thank you Good Doctor. You took great care of my Boxer Bella and my new friend Tolly, the English Mastiff. You have run a great race and I am certain your reward will be wonderful as well. Enjoy this next chapter and know you will be much missed by all of your four (and two) legged friends.

  5. Verlee Koskovich on May 20, 2020 at 3:20 pm

    Congratulations Randy!! You have worked so hard and deserve to enjoy your retirement! Have fun doing all of the things you’ve had on “hold” for so long!!! Rick will be right there with you in spirit! ?

  6. Teresa Farris on May 20, 2020 at 3:23 pm

    You are a treasure and we have been through happy times and sad times .. you are the best and have always been a rock for me during all the care for fur babies past and present.. enjoy life ❤️

  7. best! and The Tubbs on May 20, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    U will love retirement. Thanks for the many years of pet care. Nothing but the beest!

  8. Sherry Holmes on May 20, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    Congratulations! So happy for you. Enjoy each day to the fullest ? You are an awesome veterinarian and wonderful person. You will be missed.

  9. Jennifer Dunn on May 20, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    Oh my gosh. I knew this day was coming, but I’m sad it is now here. Randy, you have cared – you personally – have cared for ALL of our furry family members beginning 34 years ago with an unruly Golden Retriever named Goldie. And then came Stormie, our only cat, then all our Westie’s beginning with Buddy then Lily, Jack, Charlie, Nikki, Atticus and Brody. Thank you for giving them the very best of care. I can’t thank you enough! Have a wonderful retirement. We’ll miss you!

  10. Kelley Calkins on May 20, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    You have touched so many lives through your LOVE of animals and children. Thank you for introducing me to Josh and for the wonderful care you gave our sweet Chester. Congratulations on this next chapter!

  11. Marla Brody on May 20, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    Congrats on a retirement that is well deserved. You will be missed.

  12. Cholly, Linda & Sophie Snow on May 20, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    Randy,
    Cholly and I have been coming to Lange Hospital since you opened. You and Rick were always wonderful with all our pets, through the happy times and the sad times and we thank you! You do have an incredible staff and we’ve always trusted that we got the best care for our beloved
    pets. You will be missed!
    God bless you and your family – enjoy that retirement, you deserve it!

  13. Raquel (Ramos) Mohan on May 20, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    Thank you Randy for giving the opportunity work for you and Rick back in the early 1990’s. I love working and getting to know your family and other staff members. May God bless you, your family, and employees. Enjoy your retirement.

  14. Rob Brandt on May 20, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    Dr. Lange, I can’t thank you enough for not only the care you have given my family’s animals over the years, but for the lessons I learned working for you in your clinic as a teenager. You taught me how to work hard, treat peers and customers with respect, and to have passion for the work you do. I have carried these lessons with me into all my subsequent roles, and I truly give you much credit for the success I have had in my career. All the best wishes for your retirement. Much respect.

  15. Cyndi Mack (Prine) on May 20, 2020 at 4:36 pm

    I know you will be missed. Thank you for giving me the experience to work with you and everyone all those years ago. I learned so much from you, Dr. Kelly, Dr. Wade, Dr. Katy, and George. I miss you all. Hard to believe I have been gone for almost 12 years. With all the knowledge that I learned from working there with the patients and their owners has helped make me the nurse I am today. Thank you! If you travel out west and make it to Arizona look me up. We can try to meet up. Thank you again and love you all.

  16. Shirley and Tony Miraldi on May 20, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    We appreciate the past 24 years since we also relocated to E.TN of great vet care thru multiple generations of pets. Thanks and enjoy your well deserved retirement.

  17. Cindy Faith on May 20, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    We will miss you enjoy your retirement. Best wishes!

  18. Charlene Edwards on May 20, 2020 at 6:17 pm

    Thank you so much for the loving care you have provided to our pets (and me) over the years. Your advice has helped so much. Kelly, Lizzy, Mary and Buddy have benefited greatly from your kindness and expertise. I wish you all the best in your upcoming endeavors!

  19. Karen Motzer on May 20, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    Randy, I wanted to send you a note to let you know what an impact you made in my life. From taking care ogf Buddy (in the old building) and Rick with Alf, Lincoln and Molly , Daisy and Kaylee ( Rich’s dog). Thank you for helping with Rich growing up and working with Lange for years while growing up. He held you in high regard. We hope for you and your family God’s blessing and care. All our love !

  20. Trudy Evans on May 20, 2020 at 6:56 pm

    Thank you Randy for the amazing love and care you’ve given our dogs!! God truly blessed you with an amazing talent to care for animals! We will miss seeing you at LAH!
    Here’s to a happy, blessed and a very active retirement!!!
    Jim, Trudy and Kathryn

  21. Tina Fain on May 20, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    Enjoy your well deserved retirement. All the Fain humans, dogs and cats THANK YOU for your time and care. We know we are still in great hands with Lange Animal Hospital. Thank you for building such a blessed team from the front desk staff to the vets and vet techs. We always feel like family because we are!
    Peace, Blessings and Love,
    Paul and Tina Fain
    Chelsea, Lucy,Tigger,Maggie, Isabella, Lonesome, Mabel, Lonesome Pete(Petey) and Orphan Annie .
    Timmy and Mikey on Donna’s behalf

  22. Ted &. Carol Haase on May 20, 2020 at 7:11 pm

    Thank you, Randy, for all the years of taking such good care of our Peanut and Candy. (And these 2 crazy ones we have now). You will be so missed because of your caring for our “kids” but also for all of the other sharing we have done through years. You are such a special person and you certainly did live up to what our gracious God set you out to do. May God bless you and keep you always. We love you.

  23. Cynthia Brian on May 20, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    I will miss you greatly as I truly believe you are the best vet in Knoxville. We go back many years with many precious babies. I treasure the memories, hate I couldn’t say goodbye but I thank you for everything you, Rick, plus all the other vets at Lange have done for our babies. May God bless you and your family!

  24. jeanine manning on May 20, 2020 at 7:23 pm

    Dr. Randy, Congratulations on your retirement!!!! You have been so wonderful and caring for my 2 babies the last 35+ years. You have always been there when we needed you. Hannah is still hanging in, apparently she is not ready to go anywhere.
    Bless you and Love, Carl, Jeanine and Hannah Manning

  25. Amy Plumlee on May 20, 2020 at 7:30 pm

    What an amazing man and vet you are! You have helped and loved all our pets with so much care! You hold a VERY special place in our hearts forever! From our Meeshia, Niah, to Spice you were the only one we trusted except for Rick! What a blessing you both were to do many! Good luck in all you plan to do and may God’s Grace be with you always! You will be missed but forever loved! Amy Plumlee

  26. jeanine manning on May 20, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    Dr. Randy, CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement!!!! You have been so wonderful and caring for my 2 babies the last 35+ years. Have always been there when we needed you. Hannah is still hanging in, apparently she is not ready to go all where. Blessing and Love, Carl, Jeanine and Hannah Manning

  27. Joanne Patterson on May 20, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    Finding Lange Animal Hospital was such a blessing for me when I moved to Knoxville. The team at Lange provided exceptional care for my dog, Bryson, and – after they were in accidents, cats Fuzz and Maeve. I wish you all the best in retirement, and hope that you get to enjoy many great kayaking trips.

  28. Nancy Dearolf on May 20, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Oh, Randy, congratulations on this enormous milestone! We are forever indebted and grateful for the wonderful and loving care you took with all of our angels: Ahri, Annie, Emmie, Ripley and more recently Pounce & Penny. We will miss you dearly and count you among a tight circle of true friends. I always knew this day would come and I wondered how I would cope. Now I know. Truly a bittersweet day for the Dearolf bunch, but we are very excited for you. I, personally, will miss all the great dialogue and sports talk between visits!!
    Godspeed and much, much love,
    Nancy, Paula, Pounce DeLeon & Penny Lane ❤️

  29. Kim Walling on May 20, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    Thank you so much, Randy, for the care you provided to our family’s pets through the years. From our different and often difficult Lhasa Apsos to our sweet Golden Retriever, you, Rick and your amazing staff have been the best from the beginning. I think our first visit to the “old” Lange Animal Hospital was around 1984, and you always made everyone feel like family. And for the record, never before had I had pets who loved to visit the veterinarian’s office, but my Golden couldn’t wait to stay at Camp Lange! Now that I’ve changed from dog owner to crazy cat lady, I don’t often see you when I visit, but Dr. Miller and your staff continue to provide the excellent care that Lange Animal Hospital has symbolized. Thanks for establishing such a wonderful place and I wish you many, many blessings in your retirement!

  30. Muffett Grubb on May 20, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    Thank you for all you have done for my furry family for at least the past 25 years. You have built a practice with a wonderful and caring staff. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter in your life!

    Muffett Watson Grubb
    (and Sophie, Tillie, Hannah, Duffy, Gillie, Theo, Lulu & JoJo)

  31. Betty Morgan on May 20, 2020 at 8:07 pm

    Randy, I first met you and Rick back in 1979 . Lange Animal has been my vet place ever since. You have treated 12 different cats and dogs the last 41 years for us. Always treated both me and my animals with love and care.

    I wish you so much enjoyment and relaxation as you begin the next phase of your life. God bless you and your family. Take care, stay safe,

  32. Misty Wilson on May 20, 2020 at 9:01 pm

    You will be missed! Enjoy yourself.

  33. Mitch & Peggy Burnett on May 20, 2020 at 9:02 pm

    Miss u already – ur a great Doc, Republican, Conservative, but most of all a Godly Friend – we ❤️❤️U

  34. Elaine Hauk on May 20, 2020 at 9:06 pm

    Dear Randy,
    I wish you many beautiful years and many more memories with your sweet family. I have so many fond memories of you and Rick, Frank and Shirley. You loved and were loved by some of the best people I have ever known. Thank you for caring for all of my creatures and building such a professional practice that has always felt like family and will continue to provide the best and most compassionate care for all who walk through the doors. Our love and best wishes, Elaine and Laura Hauk

  35. Molly Troutman on May 20, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    Dr. Lange,
    Thank you for sharing your faith along side practicing medicine. You are gifted, smart and compassionate. You had the patience of Job when we put our St. Bernard down, waiting for family to arrive and sitting with us while we made the right decision. You comforted us and made the process as calm and easy as possible. You also gave me comfort when we put our lab to sleep; a decision I WOULD NOT make before talking with you as he was at the pet emergency hospital. I HAD to have your consent and affirmation and you gave it in such a comforting way.
    Thank you for treating our pets with a gentle spirit and a loving heart. You will forever be respected and cherished.
    God bless you in the retirement years. I am certain God has some exciting things planned for you!
    You will be missed!
    Molly Troutman and family

  36. Lori VandeStouwe on May 20, 2020 at 10:12 pm

    Randy, I am and have always been so proud to call you and Rick my “twin” cousins. You guys were a parent’s dream. You were pretty ornery with me but I think truth be told, I loved every minute of it. Congratulations on your new chapter. I may still reach out to you for pet advice. You really share a love of animals like I do! I hope you and Josh enjoy time together in retirement. Take care. Love you. Lori Linn

  37. Cheryl and Bunny on May 20, 2020 at 11:20 pm

    “A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.” –The Wizard of Oz

    Dr. Lange, as the outpouring of love for you suggests, your heart overflows with goodness. I will miss you, and my wonderful little dog Bunny will miss you. We send you on your way to new things with gratitude for having known you.

    Cheryl A. Koski (and Bunny)

  38. Mike and Laurie Driver on May 21, 2020 at 12:34 am

    Ugly tears at the Driver house! Thank you for taking such good care of Bailey and Mollie these last 20+ years. You’ve always made us feel as if you loved them as much as we did. We are so grateful to have had our life intersect with yours through Jessica. Wishing you and Christy many years of happiness as you start this next chapter of your life….but know you will be missed!

  39. Meg, Billy, Bailey and Lucy King on May 21, 2020 at 1:59 am

    Dear Randy,

    I am so happy for you! No one deserves to live their life and enjoy every minute more than you. You have given so much of yourself to your patients ~ and cared for each of them so wonderfully! I will miss our talks about UT sports, our children and our lives. Lucy and Bailey will miss their compassionate doctor who has cared for them for over 12 years. We have had many highs together, and a few lows. I will never forget your care for our fur babies we have lost ~ Cocoa, Puff, Sally and Shadow. You helped our family through each loss. Knowing they had the best care from you and your staff made it a little easier saying goodbye. I wish you all the happiness in the world, and hope I get to see you every now and then around our “neck of the woods”.

  40. Kimberly Fowler on May 21, 2020 at 3:03 am

    Randy,
    Our family was blessed to find you and Rick in the early 80’s. Multiple cats and dogs flourished with your guidance and our love. The love and compassion you showed when my sweet Golden Sam died from cancer was so comforting.
    It was a blessing to have been a client all those years- my best to you and your family in this next chapter in life

  41. Scott & Annette Brun on May 21, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Good for you, Dr. Lange. We are grateful for the care that your team has provided our 8 dogs and 1 cat since I’ve lived here. We will continue to call Lange Animal Hospital home for our animal companions. God speed in your new life’s journey. Just enjoy it. Hope to see you soon. THANK YOU!

  42. Charlie Tonkin on May 21, 2020 at 6:37 pm

    Randy we will miss your special sweet touch with our dog Sam. You were the best Vet ever and helped us with our two other dogs by extending Sam’s life by two more years. Good luck in your next chapter enjoy every minute of it.
    Sincerely
    Charlie & Chuck Tonkin

  43. Fred Bedelle on May 21, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    Randy,
    For 40+ years you have made a difference!! It’s such a blessing to have a kind, compassionate friend whose staff has always given excellent care to our furry friends. Jasper will remain in good hands.
    We hope that you will continue to have many years, God willing, of joy and laughter in your life.
    THANK YOU and GOD BLESS!!
    Fred and Norma Bedelle

  44. Kim McCoy Clark on May 22, 2020 at 2:28 am

    Randy, Thank you for being the best veterinarian anyone could ever ask for . Thank you for loving & caring for my fur babies for 30 plus years. Thank you for the many returned phone calls, the prayers before procedures & for being a friend for many years! You’re a wonderful vet but more importantly a wonderful man of God! Congratulations on your retirement! Enjoy & God bless you always. You will be missed!

  45. Debbie Allen on May 23, 2020 at 11:52 am

    Randy, you so deserve this next step in your life!! In the 30 years I have lived in Knoxville you are the only one I wanted to take care of my dogs. You are a special person and always treated all my “babies”, Buster, Rocky, Muffin, Jake, Sadie and currently Ginger and Roxie as if they were yours. You went above and beyond more than once in caring for my dogs and for that I am eternally grateful !!
    Enjoy this chapter of your life with your family and Josh!! You will be truly missed!!!

  46. Ann and Phil Claiborne on May 24, 2020 at 7:31 pm

    God bless you on your retirement. Thanks to you we were able to spend many happy years with our pup children Kendall and Murphy. We wish you the very best and many blessings in the next chapter of your life. Ann and Phil Claiborne

  47. Jean Coleman on May 26, 2020 at 3:06 am

    I will miss seeing you so very much. You have become more than my vet — you have become my friend. I guess I have been coming to you with my dogs for nearly twenty years. Sam is feeling so much better. I think that part of what he was feeling was grief over the loss of Jack. Thank you so much for your kindness, care and encouragement. Blessings!

  48. Laura & Jack Barron & furry family on May 26, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    Randy,
    We were so blessed to have had your hospital recommended to us so many years ago . You and your wonderful staff of doctors took care of our amazing Sandy, a smart, delightful mutt from the pound (past UT hospital.) Your care kept him with us for 15 years and then Mr. Kitty and 5 other rescue cats over the next 20 years . Now only have Cutie Pie and Grey thank you , Dr. Katy and Dr. Kelly and Dr. Milam for your expertise and caring as well as your sense of humor with Jack’s fun remarks.
    May your retirement be filled with joy, laughter, love and lots of adventures, with family and friends. We know God is with you and blessing you. Hope we see you around Ft. Sanders Fitness sometime. Laura & Jack Barron & all our rescue furry family.

  49. Anne Langley on May 26, 2020 at 7:05 pm

    Randy,
    Thank you for your many yrs. of friendship, kindness, caring, and compassion. I am so grateful that I found you and Rick some 42 yrs. ago on a Saturday morning emergency basis with our 1st dog. I am sure that God has great plans for you in retirement, but you will be missed. I have made treasured friendships with you, Wade, Katie, Kelly, and the staff as you all have given our dogs such loving care, but you are my go-to guy to talk UT sports! I hope that you and your family find lots of enjoyment in retirement. I have no doubt that you will be busier than ever. May God’s blessings and grace be with you, Anne & John Langley, Munchkin, Oreo, Nutmeg, Bo, Crispy & Cricket,(all currently residing in our kitchen cabinet) & the Cereals, Chex & Cheerio!!!

  50. Jennifer Podhajsky on May 26, 2020 at 8:22 pm

    We are so happy we have found your practice. The Iowa State pedigree was a big draw (my husband’s family are all cyclones)! Best of luck with retirement.

  51. Mark & MJ Prather on May 29, 2020 at 3:00 pm

    Dr. Lange,

    We wish you the very best as you begin a new chapter in your life. You so deserve it.

    Mark, MJ & Sophie Prather

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