John was born November 13, 1934, in Johnson City, NY, to Dr. Everett and Virginia (Pegg) Black. His family lived in the Binghamton Johnson City area until 1939, and then moved to Fredonia, NY, where John’s dad began his medical practice. This was interrupted in 1941 when John’s dad volunteered for the draft and began his service in the U.S. Army. During the first years of service the family lived in numerous places until 1943 when his dad went overseas to serve in Europe, and John, his mother and sister moved to Erie, PA, to live with John’s grandmother and aunt.
John attended school in Erie until 1945 when his father returned from Europe and resumed his practice in Fredonia. John graduated from Fredonia High School in 1953 and went to the School of Agriculture at Cornell University. From there he attended the School of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell graduating in 1960. While a student he traveled West with some friends, and when he returned, he decided he wanted to live in Colorado.
While living in Colorado he met Nadyne Dwyer of Glenwood, IA. John was called into the Army and was stationed in Maryland. John and Nadyne married in Maryland in September 1962. Daughter, Kimberly Sue, was born in 1963. After John was discharged from the Army the family moved back to Denver, CO, where a son, Michael John, was born in 1965. The family left the Denver area and moved to Dillon, CO, where John opened his veterinary practice.
John found that the area was becoming developed and wanted more cattle work, so the family moved to Kremmling, CO, where he established his mixed animal veterinary practice and built a home for his family. They lived there for 10+ years and his passion for cattle work grew. Once again development in that area caused them to move to Choteau, MT, and then in 1978 Valentine, NE.
John loved the Sandhills of Nebraska and the unique geography of the region. His practice focused on the expansive cattle ranches, the Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge where he treated buffalo and elk, and the Valentine Livestock Auction. He was known to many as “Doc Black.” John retired in 1995, and he and Nadyne moved to Kalispell, MT, where they enjoyed a beautiful home for nearly 20 years. John spent many days on Big Mountain downhill skiing, logged all their wood for the woodburning stove, and used the homestead’s root cellar to store vegetables from their garden.
Nadyne became very ill in early 2012 and John was her caregiver. John and Nadyne celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary that September before she passed away in October 2012. John then moved to Omaha to live near his son, Mike, and his family.
John was always very active. He loved downhill skiing, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, boating, and kayaking. He and a friend from his Cornell days went to Alaska several summers for kayaking trips. He was an avid photographer and took thousands of slides and photos, starting when he was a young adult, and continuing through his life with many excellent photos of his kids and grandkids as they grew up and during all their athletic activities. He was easy to spot on the sideline or in the stands with his camera and huge zoom lenses. His many photos of places where he lived throughout his lifetime are all family treasures.
In addition to his love of large animal veterinary work, he had a special place in his heart for his pets including his first dog, Duke, his Labrador retrievers, Misty and Tally, and his cats, Sitzmark, Fruitcake (the clinic kitty), and Pumpkin.
John is survived by daughter Kim Hoffman (Don), Moses Lake, WA; son Dr. Mike Black (Rita), Omaha, NE; grandson Trevor Hoffman (Mariah), Billings MT; three granddaughters, Logan Black, Omaha, NE, Lexie Black (Jackson Unger), Omaha NE, and Alyssa Hoffman (Seth Harrison), Spokane, WA; younger sister, Pat Hudson, Topsham, ME; and wife, Marilyn Swanson (married 2019).
His legacy continues through his children and grandchildren with Mike practicing as an equine veterinarian, Kim as a registered nurse, Logan attending medical school, Lexie attending veterinary medicine school, Trevor as a mechanical engineer and Alyssa as a registered nurse.
The family would like to thank the staff at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and Peaceful Hearts Hospice in Omaha for the loving care John received in his final months of life.
Donations in his memory can be made to the Sandhills Cattle Association: Dr. John Black Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 604, Valentine, NE 69201. Please include the scholarship name, your name, address, email, and phone number.
