SUMMER 2025
IN MEMORIAM: SUMMER 2025
1930s
1940s
1950s
1950
Richard I. Raymer (NICO), 95, passed away on December 29, 2024. He was born in Chicago in 1929 to Samuel and Lillian Raymer. A lifelong Chicagoan, he grew up in West Rogers Park and practiced on Devon Avenue from 1954 to 2017. Over seven decades, he built deep, lasting relationships with those he cared for.
Richard attended ICO before the current campus existed, taking classes in brownstones near Michigan Avenue. He graduated with pride as a member of the Tomb & Key Honor Society. With his beloved wife, Donna, he traveled annually to developing countries, embracing a life of service, learning, and exploration.
He leaves a legacy of resilience, devotion to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and love for the ICO community.
Douglas N. Walck (NICO), 98, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024. He was born on July 22, 1926, in Palmerton, PA, to David and Marian Walck. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the USS Kadashan Bay. After the war, he graduated from the University of Bloomsburg and ICO, where he met his future wife, Lorene. They moved to New Jersey, and he began his optometric practice in Washington, NJ, in 1951. Douglas was a member and past president of the Washington Lions Club, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Washington Board of Education. Dr. Walck was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth, PA. He loved spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed his great-grandchildren.
1952
Glenn Clyde Young, 95, of Mandeville, LA, passed away on May 6, 2025. Dr. Young founded and operated the Custom Contact Lens Laboratory in New Orleans for over 30 years. His innovative work in contact lenses earned him recognition throughout the Gulf Coast. He is survived by his daughter, six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons and his wife of 50 years, Susan Mossbarger Young, as well as his second wife, Marguerite Lala Young.
1953
Norman Gould, 96, passed away on February 22, 2025 in Plano, TX. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he served as a First Lieutenant Optometry Officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1957. In 1958, he and his young family settled in Midland, TX, and together he and his wife, Evelyn, purchased a downtown optometric practice. Together, they ran the practice for nearly 40 years and continued part-time until 2016.
A member of the Midland Downtown Lions Club, he launched the Eyeglass Recycling Program and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. He volunteered for international vision missions, assisted with tax preparation for those in need, and supported Midland Community Theatre. During the pandemic, he relocated to Plano, TX, to be closer to family. He is survived by three children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
1955
Bernard (Bernie) Paul Nevel, 94, passed away on December 7, 2024, one day before his 95th birthday. He was born in 1929 in South Bend, IN to Maurice and Selma Nevel. As an optometrist, Bernie devoted over 50 years to the South Bend community and the field of optometry. He mentored dozens of aspiring and practicing optometrists and later helped build The Michiana Eye Center with lifelong friend Richard Weiss, MD, and colleague Kevin Danahey, OD ’91. His care and connection left a lasting mark. He practiced well into his 80s, driven by passion and purpose.
Bernie’s generous contributions earned him the Lifetime Service Award from the Alumni Association and honors from the Indiana Optometric Association. He cherished time with family, golf, Hamlin Lake, cheering on his teams, and fine dining. He is survived by his wife Etta, five children, eleven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Edward “Eddie” Fred Stein, 93, passed away on January 23, 2025, in Detroit, MI. A native of Detroit, Eddie practiced in the area for over six decades. He finally retired just before his 90th birthday. During his career, he served as president of the Michigan Optometric Association and later led its political action committee, helping to shape policies supporting the profession and its patients. Eddie was an avid Sherlock Holmes fan and a longtime leader of the Amateur Mendicants Society. He was also active in several civic and Jewish organizations, including Hebrew Free Loan, and the Oakland Literacy Council. A passionate family historian, Eddie’s research led to the discovery of lost relatives in Israel. He is survived by his partner, daughters, grandchildren, and many extended family members.
1960s
1967
James (Jim) Mac Brown, 80, passed away on February 10, 2025. He was born on May 27, 1944, in Olney, IL, to Robert O. and Kathryn Brown. An Illinois native, he moved his small but growing family to Madisonville, KY, to begin his career after graduating from ICO. Jim practiced optometry for over fifty years. He was proud to share an office with his two daughters: Emily, an optometrist, and Kim, a dentist. An avid golfer, Jim also served as past president of Madisonville’s Jaycee Chapter. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret, as well as his children, grandchildren, great-grandson, and siblings.
1968
David H. Sufka, 82, passed away on March 24, 2025, in Pequot Lakes, MN. He was born on October 3, 1942, in Minnesota. He began his optometry career as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps at DeWitt Army Hospital in Fort Belvoir, VA, before settling in St. Cloud, MN, where he ran his private practice until retiring in 2005.
David was involved in various organizations, including the St. Cloud Rotary Club, the Civil Air Patrol, and the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, hiking, and aviation, and he traveled to around 85 countries with his wife, JoAnn. He was a proud father of ICO alumnus Michael Sufka, OD ’99, and Dr. Susan Sufka Kaplan. He is survived by JoAnn, their children, grandchildren, and extended family.
1969
Neil B. Kalin, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Atlanta, GA, on March 28, 2025. Born to Ann and Moris Kalin and raised in Utica, NY, Neil earned his degree from ICO before relocating to Atlanta. He practiced optometry for over 45 years, demonstrating compassion and dedication throughout his career. Known for his kind heart and adventurous spirit, Neil was committed to serving others. Throughout his life, he was a devoted volunteer and actively participated in several community organizations.
Dwane Gustafson, 78, passed away on March 19 at his home in Willmar, MN. He was born on December 6, 1946, to Robert and Minnie Gustafson in Minneapolis, MN. After earning his doctorate, Dwane and his wife, Cheryl, returned to their hometown of Willmar, where he began practicing optometry alongside his father. Soon after, he joined the Army and served as an optometrist until his honorable discharge in 1973. Dwane returned to Willmar and played a key role in expanding his family's practice, Family Eye Center, to seven locations. He also helped establish Fischer Laser Eye. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; their children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and in-laws.
1970s
1978
Donald “Don” Erwin Koeber, 77, passed away on February 27, 2025, in Wayne, NE. Don was raised in Wayne, and returned after graduating from ICO to join his father at Wayne Vision Center, where he practiced optometry for 40 years before retiring in 2018. He was active in Kiwanis, the Wayne Chamber, Corinthian Lodge, and the Wayne State College Foundation. In 2022, he received the Wayne State College Alumni Service Award for over 30 years of service. He was a proud member of the Nebraska Optometric Association. In retirement, he enjoyed golfing and traveling with his wife, Claudia. He is survived by Claudia, their children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family.
1978
Robert "Rob" Richardson, 74, died peacefully at home in Bolingbrook, IL, on December 2, 2024. Rob was a dedicated member of the American Optometric Association for 50 years and a longtime member of the Illinois Optometric Association. He retired from his optometry practice, Darien Eye Specialists, in 2020. Rob was an avid golfer. He spent many of his later years snowbirding in Florida whenever possible. Rob is survived by his wife of 36 years, Andrea, as well as his children, grandchildren, family, and friends.
1980s
1990s
1991
Erik Andrew Ostenso, 63, passed away on November 30, 2024, in Ladysmith, WI. After graduating from ICO, he relocated with his young family to Ladysmith to operate the local optometry practice and raise his children. He found joy in serving the community through eye care and dedicated 33 years to the Ladysmith Lions Club, providing vision screenings at local schools and for Special Olympics Wisconsin. A multi-sport athlete, Erik excelled in football at Lawrence University and was part of its Hall of Fame team. He shared his love of sports by coaching and cheering on his children. Erik found peace in nature—paddling the Flambeau, skiing, hiking, and hunting. He is survived by his wife, Chrysa; four children; six grandchildren; and a large extended family.
2000s
2010s
2020s
2021
Tam Bao Tran, 37, passed away on December 10, 2024. After earning a degree in biotechnology from UC Davis, he pursued clinical sciences at the University of Minnesota and began his career at the Mayo Clinic. One of his proudest achievements was returning to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree. He found joy in helping others and spent his final weeks caring for patients at his eye clinic. Beyond his professional life, Tam loved simple pleasures—coffee, Studio Ghibli, horror manga, music, Pokémon, and Harry Potter. A passionate traveler, he explored Disney World, Japan’s onsens, the Caribbean, and California’s coast. He is deeply mourned by his husband, Yiyun Yu; his parents; and his two siblings. He leaves behind a community forever changed by his warmth and love.
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
