ELVERSON, Pa.--Dr. H.L. Todd Addis, VMD, 85, Master of his own Warwick Village Hounds, died at home on July 24

Todd Addis MFH VMDAddis, known as "Doc," died suddenly on July 24 at his home, Fox Hill in Elverson, surrounded by family. 

Doc was born in Norristown, Pa., and he began riding horses and foxhunting at the age of 6.

His foxhunting mentors were his father, Clarkson Addis Sr., who was also a veterinarian and huntsman, and Albert Crossan.

He was a graduate of Collegeville-Trappe High school, Ursinus College, and University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, VMD, class of '59.

Doc served in the Army Veterinary Corps '59-'61, stationed at Walter Reed Annex Forest Glenn where he treated dogs, cats and monkeys.

He was a small and large animal veterinarian and gifted surgeon for 30 years in Lancaster, Berks, and Chester Counties including many Amish and Mennonite communities.

Doc was the master and huntsman of Warwick Village Hounds and an advocate for the Penn-Marydel Hound, generously extending the Penn-Marydel bloodlines to many hunts.

 

HE WAS A co-founder of the Friends of the Penn-Marydel Hound, co-founder of the Chester County Foxhunters Association, founding director of Green Valley and a member of the Lions Club of Elverson, Natural Land Trust, French and Pickering and the Pennsylvania Fox and Coyote Association.

He appeared on Chester County Day displaying his pack of Penn-Marydel Hounds.

After retiring from veterinary practice in 1989, Addis and his wife traveled to Maryville, Tenn., and over he next year helped establish what is now the Tennessee Valley Hunt.

Doc also enjoyed renovation projects where he displayed his artistic carpentry skills.

He also spent time writing letters, articles and two books: A Backward Glance, his memoirs and Our Penn-Marydel Hound, A Historical Anthology.

Doc's pride and joy was watching his three children hunt Penn-Marydel Hounds and his six grandchildren becoming foxhunters.

His daughter Ann Emden is Master at Warwick Village, and his daughter Beth Opitz is huntsman at Thornton Hill Hounds in Virginia.

His son Todd has a small private pack in Maryland.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Aug. 3 at Old Saint Mary's Church in Elverson, with a reception following at Fox Hill.

Addis is survived by his wife of 63 years, Hampton (Happy) Addis, and children Todd, Ann and Beth, and grandchildren, Jennifer, Hampton, Bennett, Elida, Kemper and Mason.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Friends of the Penn-Marydel. C/O Deborah McKechnie, 2061 Miller Rd Chester Springs, PA 19425.