Dr. Richard Kent was born May 8, 1950 in Columbia MO to Kyle and Doris Kent while his father was in veterinary school.  Kyle received his DVM in 1953 and the family moved back to their hometown, Green City MO and started Kent Veterinary Clinic.  Richard grew up with the practice and decided at an early age to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Dr. Kent earned his DVM in 1974 and returned to become a partner in the practice.  Dr. Kyle Kent retired in 1987 and Richard continued to operate Kent Veterinary Clinic as a one-man practice comprised of 90% beef cattle and 10% companion animal.  Richard, his dad, Kyle, and son, Chris, keep 100 head of beef cows on Kent Farms.

Dr. Kent married Sherri Richardson in 1973 and they raised one son, Chris, and three daughters, Christen, Jessica, and Jennifer.  The family has been very active in their school and community.

Dr. Kent is a member of Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Society for Theriogenology, and Academy of Veterinary Consultants.  He has served as Vice President and President of the North Central Missouri Veterinary Medical Association.  As a member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, he has served two terms as a district delegate to the Executive Board and been on several committees including Chairman of the Awards and Resolutions Committee.  He has also served as a member of the Missouri Stocker/Feeder Quality Assurance Program Committee and Chairman of the Animal Health and Regulatory Medicine Committee.

Dr. Kent has been a member of the Green City United Methodist church since 1962 and has served in almost every capacity including 15 years as Chairman of the Administrative Board.  He has been a member of the Green City City Council, a member of the Green City R-1 School Board, and Treasurer of the Green City Chamber of Commerce.  He has also served on the Sullivan County Community Development Board and Vice President of the Board of Directors of northeast Missouri Rural Telephone Company.