He wasn't a firefighter, but Thomas A. Kacer climbed trees to rescue loss kittens. 
Neither was he a veterinarian, but he offered medical assistance even though his job didn't require him to. 
"He was the greatest Animal Control director Midland has ever had," said his wife, Laurel. The couple lived on Mackinaw near Shattuck in Saginaw Township. 
"For 18 years, he was always caring for the animals. It wasn't just a job to him." 
Kacer died Wednesday of heart disease. He was 50. 

Rick L. Shields, who worked for Kacer at Midland County Animal Control, described his boss' love of animals as a "passion." 
"There are so many experiences or examples of his love for animals, so it's hard to detail just one," he said. "He was a good person, honest and good to work for." 

Kacer 's father said he was with his son when he died. 
"We were talking about the president's address, and he was about to go start up my car for me when he started having convulsions," said Albert Kacer , a Saginaw Township resident. "It was sudden." 

Thomas Kacer , a Saginaw native, was a veteran of the Vietnam War. A military funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Friday at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter, under the auspices of VFW Post No. 1859. 
Surviving Kacer besides his wife and father are a sister, Nancy Hill of Wheeler, and a brother, Henry Hahn of Flint.