WINTER 2024
IN MEMORIAM: WINTER 2024
1930s
1940s
1949
Frank Gianfriddo (NICO), 100, of Quincy, IL, passed away on July 17, 2024. He was born on January 9, 1924, in Worcester, MA. Frank served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945. After graduating, he opened Site Vision Center in Quincy, IL later passing it on to his son and grandson. He was active in the Quincy Chamber of Commerce and the Exchange Club and was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus. Dr. Gianfriddo was a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and served on state boards in Illinois and Arizona. He often visited Mexico and Honduras, supporting underprivileged students and donating glasses to rural Honduran communities.
1950s
1950
Dr. Robert W. Slaybaugh (NICO), 96, passed away, November 11, 2024, at Taylorville Estates. Dr. Slaybaugh was born February 3, 1928, in Taylorville, IL, the son of Clarence W. and Louise (Wilson) Slaybaugh. He married Patricia Buckles on September 25, 1948, in Clinton, IL.
Dr. Slaybaugh was a graduate of Taylorville High School, where he was inducted to the Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1943-44 State Champion Basketball Team. He was the last survivor of the team. He attended the University of Illinois and graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, after which, Dr. Slaybaugh had a local optometry practice for over forty-five years. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and tennis, and especially enjoyed his annual trips to the Florida Gulf Coast every winter.
1955
Dwight E. Rhude (NICO), 97, passed away on June 4, 2024. He was born on November 7, 1926, in Detroit, MI. Dwight was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. He was married to Louise Sylvia for 64 years. Dwight graduated in 1955 and began practicing in Detroit. He later moved to Yale, MI, and retired in 1999 after 44 years in private practice. He was a life member of the American and Michigan Optometric Associations, the Port Huron Breakfast Optometrist Club (past president), and several Masonic lodges. He was also an Eagle Scout and a Clyde Township Historical Society life member. He is survived by two children, five grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.
1958
George Cheskes, 90, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2024, in Boynton Beach, FL. George was born on February 8, 1934, in New York, NY. He graduated in 1958 and dedicated over 30 years to his practice in Washington Heights, NY. A decorated Army veteran, George was passionate about tennis and the arts, winning local art competitions and sharing his abstract drawings in galleries. His love for tennis remained strong as he played regularly and followed the sport. George is survived by his wife of 62 years, two children, and two grandchildren.
1959
Joseph L. Papa, 95, passed away on July 5, 2024. Joe was born on March 11, 1929, in Hammond, IN. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army Military Police during the Korean War, earning the Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Star. In 1955, he married Rosemarie. Through the GI Bill, he attended night classes at Purdue University and graduated summa cum laude from ICO. Dr. Papa opened Professional Eyecare Services in Woodbridge, NJ, held leadership roles in state and national optometry associations, and retired in 2009 to pursue interests in history, travel, and gardening.
1960s
1965
David Alan Bryant, 84, passed away on July 6, 2024, in Vestal, NY. David was born on July 6, 1940, in Vestal, NY. After two years as an optometrist in the U.S. Army, he opened an optometric office in Endwell, NY. David was a community leader, serving as president of the Rotary Club and the Wrighter Lake Association and volunteering with Easter Seals. He coached youth hockey and played in a men’s league until age 68, where he participated in several celebrity hockey tournaments alongside former NHL players. David is survived by his wife of 59 years, four sons, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
1966
Theodore (“Ted”) Burdette Walton, Jr., 84, passed away on August 1, 2024. Ted was born on August 22, 1940, in Detroit, MI. He met his wife, Nancy, at Hillsdale College. After graduating, Ted joined his father’s practice, establishing Walton & Becker Eyecare in Oxford, MI, in 1975. He became active in the Michigan Optometric Association, serving on the board and as president. He also engaged with the American Optometric Association and volunteered with Oxford’s Lions Club. Ted supported Opening Eyes at Special Olympics Michigan, was a member of Lake Orion Methodist Church, and delivered meals for families. He was an avid sailor and golfer.
1969
James Knight Ellis, III, 82, passed on the evening of October 24, 2024. An optometrist by trade, Jim was a renowned entrepreneur and a pioneer in the optical retail industry having co-founded LensCrafters in the 1980s. In 1979, Jim joined the University of Cincinnati Athletics Department as the teams’ optometrist and worked closely with Sports Medicine, the University Health Services, and the Department of Neurology. Because of his research and experience in concussion and neuro-visual trauma, Jim recently opened the Neuro Visual Institute specializing in TBI/concussion/stroke rehabilitation and addressing learning-related problems in students. Jim’s legacy will live on through NVI.
1970s
1971
John Phillip Fitzpatrick, 79, passed away on June 4, 2024, in Oceanside, CA. John was born on July 12, 1944, in Traverse City, MI, and grew up in Midland, MI. He graduated from Michigan State University and married Carol, with whom he shared 56 years. After graduating ICO, the family settled in Saginaw, MI.
John was deeply involved in the optometric community, serving on the Alumni Council and receiving ICO's Humanitarian Award. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, President of the Michigan Optometric Association and the North Central States Optometric Council and was named Optometrist of the Year in 1986 by the Michigan Optometric Association. In 1987, the family moved to Solana Beach, CA, where John owned practices in San Diego, Vista, and Carlsbad. He also founded Operation Clear Vision, a program supporting military family dependents.
1974
Michael Lyle Wilson, 74, passed away on August 27, 2024, after a long battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was born on January 28, 1950, in Manistique, MI. He graduated in 1974, fulfilling his dream of being a well-respected second-generation optometrist and enjoying a 45-year career in Manistique, MI.
Michael married Peggy and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed deer season, bird and duck hunting in North Dakota, and fishing for walleye and salmon in Minnesota. In winter, he served as President of the Schoolcraft Snowmobile Association and enjoyed skiing, including participation in the Noquemanon Ski Marathon.
1976
Thomas G. Juhl, 72, passed away on September 7, 2024, in Bloomfield, IA. He was born on May 1, 1952, in Forest City, IA. Thomas attended Waldorf College and ICO. He served as an optometrist in the U.S. Army before purchasing a practice in Bloomfield, IA, which he owned for 43 years until his retirement in June.
Thomas married Stacie on June 23, 1990, and they had three children and two grandchildren. An active member of his community, he served on the Planning and Zoning Committee, the Lions Club, and the Bloomfield Country Club Board, and he was a founding member of the Davis County Hospital Foundation.
Walter R. Morrow, 75, South Toledo, OH passed away on October 23, 2024. He was born on February 9, 1949, in New Kensington, PA. He practiced in Illinois and then Ohio. Walt continued to provide exceptional patient care for the next 39 years, running his own private practice from 1990-1995, before joining the Bowling Green Walmart Vision Center for the remainder of his career.
1980s
1980
Joseph Bruce Budge, 68, passed away on June 28, 2024. Joe was born on October 9, 1955, in Greenville, Michigan. He attended Central Michigan University and ICO. Before starting his career, Joe spent several weeks in Thailand and Cambodia in a volunteer mission program that provided glasses to refugees. He married Joyce in 1985, celebrating 39 years of marriage on June 22. He began his career at NuVision Optical in Grand Rapids, MI and moved to Kalamazoo, MI in 1983, retiring in 2016. Joe was an active member of Bethany Reformed Church, serving multiple terms as chair of the deacons and on the tech crew.
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
