Michael Butchko was born on August 15, 1937, in Oxnard, CA.  He attended UC Davis, where he met the love of his life, Ruby.  He graduated from Veterinary school in 1963 and was married the same year.  Dr. Butchko obtained his California veterinary license in 1964 the same year his eldest son, Dirk, was born in Oxnard at the same hospital as his father.

Michael and his family moved to Riverside in 1967, where he began working under Dr. Sargent, who was the owner of West Riverside Veterinary.  This is the same practice which is known as Dr. Butchko’s today. Michael and Ruby gave birth to their second son, Steven, in 1970. Shortly thereafter in 1978 they purchased the practice from Dr. Sargent.  From there, his legacy as an amazing man and veterinarian only continued to grow. Anyone who was lucky enough to have known him has countless stories of his compassion for animals, his practice of good, honest veterinary medicine, his sense of humor, his dedication to the field, his clients, and his patients.  Dr. Michael Butchko passed away on February 25, 2019.

Dr. Michael Butchko is survived by his wife, Ruby, his sons, Steven and Dirk, and his three grandchildren, Jared, Jacob, and Kalvin.