Langley Mayor Paul Samuelson issued a proclamation Monday, devoting the day in honor of departing physician Dr. Stan Whittemore.

Whittemore, the longtime doctor at the Langley Clinic, is retiring and closed the clinic last month. The board of Whidbey General Hospital has since agreed to buy the clinic, and the city is seeking donors to contribute to the $25,000 needed to buy the medical facility’s equipment and furniture.

Samuelson recognized the doctor for his longtime service to the community, noting he had cared for more than 3,000 patients.

“We’ll miss you very deeply. As your patient and your barber for a while, you are a great, great man,” Samuelson said.

Samuelson also said the clinic would reopen in mid November. And while some healthcare workers had asked about interim positions, the mayor said it may take a while to find a permanent replacement physician for the facility.