St. Thomas is losing two people who have become a fixture on the island among man and beast alike.
"But it won't be right away," said David and Janell Nappier, who recently sold their veterinary practice to move back to their native Missouri.
The Nappiers first visited the island in 1985, when, on their first "real" vacation in 20 years and on a whim, they purchased property in Peterborg. They had some time before their flight out, they said, one thing led to another and they wound up property owners.
Sounds funny, but that's indicative of the couple's relaxed and open approach to the people, as well as the animal, world.
For the next two years they "built a house long distance," and moved here permanently in 1987.
After a long and arduous battle with the local office of the National Board of Veterinary Medicine to get his license, Nappier finally opened the Imperial Animal Hospital in February of 1995.
During their 15-year stay on the island, the couple has created a dedicated fan club, among musical (harmonica) and cooking (grits and cornbread) circles as well as animal lovers. "Oh no," said Kathy Babson, a waitress at Hook Line and Sinker, when she learned of the move. "What'll Mango do? What'll I do?"
Mango is the abused dog she and her husband brought to Nappier two years ago. The dog had wound up on their doorstep with a burn all the way along his back where he had been scalded. And Mango, of course, is fine now, though scarred.
Similar reactions were heard as the news of Nappier's impending departure spread. "Oh, what about Tumbleweed," inquired 30-year island resident Jan Swenson, about her pet cat. Nappier assures everyone that their pets will be in good hands.
One of the reasons the couple has decided to move back to Missouri is that an opportunity to sell the business to locals arose. "It never entered my mind until about a year ago," Nappier said. "I've got to realize I'm in my 50s, and finding somebody to move here from the states and take over the practice wouldn't be that easy."
Nappier has sold his practice to Drs. Laura Palmenteri, Stewart Tripp and Tracy Hall of Cruz Bay Canines Cats and Critters in St. John. For the time being, Nappier said, they will have two hospitals with four doctors, while Nappier phases out of the practice.
An overriding reason to move back is that, though the couple has no children, they have a lot of family growing up in Missouri, nieces and nephews they are close to. One eight-year-old nephew, Jake, was recently crowned Mutton Busting State Champion.
"That's something for the Ozarks," Nappier explained. In rodeos, youngsters aren't allowed to ride the bulls, even small bulls, so they start out on—you guessed it—sheep.
However, underneath all this, Janell said, "is Dave's desire to live in a small, very small town. It's come full circle, now it's a dream come true."
Janell said Dave had begged his mother when he was in high school to stay and let him graduate from the tiny town they lived in. "His father worked for the railroad, and they had to live where the work was," she said.
The Nappiers have bought 80 acres right in the heart of Missouri, near Eminence (pop. 600), where the nearest big town, St. Louis, is 120 miles away. They have built a log cabin right in the middle of the property, but it's a big log cabin where family and friends can visit.
"We are really excited about moving," Janell said. "You know how small towns are. People in Eminence already knew all about us. When we went to the post office, it's 'Are you opening a practice here' ?"
The answer is no. "Dave wants to retire," Janell said, "no delivering calves in the middle of the night and stuff like that."
It looks like Christmas will be the time for the final goodbyes, Janell said. "We'll go fishing and canoeing up there, but we'll miss the diving and the water here."
"And," she said, "all our friends."
