In the Pipeline:

I know it’s since been reported, but still, I wanted to cover a recent episode in this column, because the man involved is so deserving.

Last week, I received this note:

“Hi Chris, I regret to have to inform you that we lost Dr. Joel Pasco to cancer. He passed away Saturday morning in his sleep. He had gone fishing at Convict Lake (his favorite spot and favorite pastime). When his friends tried to wake him, they realized that he had passed peacefully in his sleep. We lost a dear friend, colleague and animal activist. I am too sad for more words . . . ”

Debbie McGuire, Wildlife Director

Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center

What shocking news. Joel was just 62 years old, and was one of the founding fathers of the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center here in Huntington Beach. He was loved and respected by all who knew him due to both his stellar professional reputation and his compassionate nature.

Joel’s wife, Jean, shared this: “Joel Pasco never met an animal he didn’t like. Even as a boy growing up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Joel couldn’t stomach the idea of harming an animal. So it was destiny that he’d become a veterinarian, with a special affinity for treating wildlife.

“He was surrounded by wildlife on the final day of his life. He was grateful that he’d been feeling well enough to take another trip to the Sierras to fish with his good friend, Cris Hagen. Battling esophageal cancer, diagnosed in late 2006, had taken a lot out of Joel, but he continued working a couple days a week at the animal hospital he founded — All Creatures Care Cottage in Costa Mesa — and volunteering his veterinary services at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, which he also helped build.”

Lisa Birkle at the Care Center told me, “So many people have come in commenting on his high regard for animals, but it needs to be remembered that it was just as high for people. Many times he picked me up off the floor when no one else was around, and showed me the positive side of life.”

And Debbie McGuire offered two wonderful moments: “Shortly after the WWCC opened, we were involved in three oil spills at the same time: the Bolsa Chica Shorebird incident, Wintersburg Spill and the Chevron Spill. The Chevron Spill was actually an overflow event, where crude flowed into a retaining pool. But before the staff at Chevron could cover the pool, 23 mallards landed in it. They were so covered in oil that you couldn’t tell the hen from the drake. Dr. Pasco came down and evaluated them. They reeked of the smell of oil, and the oil was beginning to irritate their skin. So he made the decision to wash all the birds, and stayed there with all of us washing these poor mallards until 3 a.m. Every single bird, all 23 of them, survived.”

And this: “Did you ever hear the story of Rusty the Pelican? There was a book written about it called ‘Fly Away Free’ by Joan Hewett back in the late ’70s or so. Joel was a young vet at the Sea & Surf Vet Hospital in Sunset Beach. He used to surf daily back then, and one day he came across a young pelican that needed help. To make a long story short, after getting the bird back to health, he needed to then waterproof the bird. So he started taking him surfing with him. It made the local news back then, both print and television. He would surf with this pelican, and the pelican would get water logged, jump on his shoulder and ride the waves with Dr. Pasco. Needless to say, it is not the recommended way to rehab a pelican! I have so many more memories. I really miss him. Not only was he my friend, but he was also my colleague and mentor. This world has lost a gem.”

Joel Pasco made the treatment and protection of animals his life’s work in Southern California for more than 30 years. To all of his family, from all of us, our deep condolences — but also our thanks, for sharing such a special person with the world.

A memorial service celebrating Joel’s life will be held at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center at 2 p.m. Saturday in Huntington Beach. For those so inclined, please make any donations in care of Joel’s memory to the wildlife center.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 14 books, including the new “Huntington Beach Then & Now.” You can write him at chris@chrisepting.com .