WINTER 2021
IN MEMORIAM: WINTER 2021
1930s
1940s
1945
Harold E. Davis (NICO) Oak Lawn, Ill., Sept 1.
In 2020 he retired from the same office he founded over 75 years ago, Davis EyeCare. He was one of the first to build a specialty contact lens practice in the US. He leaves behind not only a strong legacy in terms of those he mentored, but also within his own family, having a son and grandchildren who also practice optometry. He spent his entire career as a practitioner, researcher, lecturer, clinician, and author. His achievements in these areas garnered him numerous awards including the Lifetime Service Award from ICO in 2007. He was past president of the International Society of Contact Lens Specialists, awarded the achievement award from the American Optometric Association Contact Lens & Cornea Section, and the Distinguished Practitioner recognition from the National Academies of Practice.
1950s
1950
John B. Weaver (NICO) Shenandoah, Iowa, May 25. He served as a pilot in the Army Air Corp, flying B-24 bombers in the European Theater. He established his practice in Southwest Iowa serving his patients until his retirement and served on several community boards until his passing.
1950
Morton A. Ford (NICO) Chicago, Ill., July 26. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a corpsman stationed in San Diego. Following optometry school, he went to school for hypnosis and incorporated this training into his practice which garnered attention from Dr. Newton Wesley. He traveled the country for Wesley Jessen instructing optometrists about fitting rigid and soft contact lenses and assisting with their difficult patients. He practiced in Chicago and the surrounding area for over 50 years before retiring in his early 80’s.
1957
Harry H. Bliss, Jr. (ICO) Gig Harbor, Wash., June 3. He opened his own practice in 1957 and enjoyed serving the community's optometry needs for 40 years. He was devoted to his community and served in the Ionia Rotary Club and as president of the Ionia Community Theater for several years. His love of golf, music, theater, and hunting was well-known in his large circle of friends.
1960s
1962
Lou Katz (ICO) San Diego, Calif., July 28.
1966
Edmund Arthur Schneider, Jr. (ICO) Lincoln Neb., May 2. Following graduation, he served two years in the United States Air Force and was assigned to Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas. In 1968 he began his optometry practice at the Lincoln Vision Clinic and for many years also worked from the Saunders County Clinic in Wahoo. He served as president of the Nebraska Optometric Association, served on both Regional Medicaid and Medicare Advisory Boards, Chaired the Lincoln/Lancaster County Board of Health, Chaired the National Association of Local Boards of Health, and when semi-retired served as third party consultant for the NOA and was currently past chair and member of One Health Nebraska ACO. He was especially proud of helping to pass the Lincoln smoke-free workplace ordinance.
1970s
1976
Leonard B. Hardesty (ICO) Downers Grove Ill., Oct 8. He practiced in Downers Grove and other suburban locations for 45 years.
1980s
1982
Ken Leadingham (ICO) Roswell, N.M., July 18. He returned to Roswell to join the family practice, Leadingham Vision Center immediately following graduation. He was a past president of New Mexico Optometric Association, member of the Elks Club, and past member of Masonic Lodge No. 18.
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Friends and Family
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The following abbreviations denote predecessor names of the Illinois College of Optometry.
NICO: Northern Illinois College of Optometry
CCO: Chicago College of Optometry
MCO: Monroe College of Optometry
