SUMMER 2026
IN MEMORIAM: SUMMER 2026
1930s
1940s
1949
Gerald “Jerry” Garner, (NICO), 98, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026. Born in West Branch, Michigan, he served as a U.S. Navy radar operator before pursuing optometry and earning his degree. He returned home to build a life and long-standing practice with his wife, Reta, serving the community for more than 40 years. In retirement, they traveled widely; Jerry remained active in church, writing, music, and the outdoors. He is survived by four children, 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
1949
Edmund Henry “Red” Sorenson, (NICO), 100, passed away on February 3, 2026. Raised in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII before beginning a career that spanned optometry, oil ventures, and homebuilding. A Harvard Business School graduate, he led both the Illinois Home Builders Association and the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago. In retirement, he enjoyed an active life in Naples, Florida. He is survived by his three children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
1950s
1950
Charles Drucker (NICO), 97, passed away on March 12, 2026. After earning his optometry degree in 1950, he served as a military optometrist during the Korean War, where he met his wife, Kazue, while stationed in Japan. Dr. Drucker later continued his career with the U.S. Army at the Presidio of San Francisco, earned the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, and served as an associate clinical professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He was especially proud of receiving the Legion of Merit medal for exceptionally meritorious conduct.
1950
Floyd E. Zastrow (NICO), 99, passed away on April 27, 2026. After serving in the United States Navy, he earned his optometry degree in Chicago and returned to California, where he practiced for decades and cared for patients in Lodi well into his 90s. Deeply committed to community service, he was a devoted member of the Lions Clubs International and received numerous honors for his humanitarian work and dedication to vision care.
1957
Bert Corwin, 95, passed away on May 10, 2026. Dr. Corwin devoted more than 60 years to the field of optometry, remaining active in the profession until 2026. A respected leader and educator, he served as president of the American Academy of Optometry and received numerous honors, including Optometrist of the Year awards from both South Dakota and the American Optometric Association. Beyond his profession, he was deeply committed to community service, aviation, travel, and the outdoors, pursuing many lifelong passions well into his 90s.
1957
Kenneth Block, 97, passed away on April 12, 2026. After serving as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, he earned his Doctor of Optometry degree and went on to build a 38-year practice in Northwood, Iowa, where he became known for his warmth, humor, and dedication to patient care. Deeply engaged in civic and church life, Dr. Block served in numerous community leadership roles and remained active well into retirement as a columnist, volunteer, and musician.
1958
LeRoy Affolter, 93, died on November 8, 2025. He practiced optometry in Marshall, Minnesota, for over 50 years. A respected leader in both his profession and community, he was active in numerous civic, church, and optometric organizations and received the Minnesota Distinguished Optometrist of the Year Award in 2001. Deeply grounded in faith and family, he especially treasured time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
1958
Clyde Franklin Peer, 90, passed away on March 2, 2026. Dr. Peer devoted his life to patient care, faith, and community service. He built a respected career in optometry while remaining deeply engaged in his church and local community, serving as both senior and junior warden at Trinity Episcopal Church. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he especially loved baseball, tennis, fishing, and travel.
1960s
1960
James A. Poland, 92, passed away on March 1, 2026.
Dr. Poland devoted more than 50 years to caring for patients in western Maryland through his practices in Frostburg and Cumberland. A veteran of the United States Navy who served during the Korean Conflict, he was widely respected for his leadership within the optometric profession and received numerous honors, including Maryland Optometrist of the Year and the Melvin Waxman Award. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Judith Mae, and a large extended family.
1963
Leslie Walter Neinas, 82, passed away Dec. 31, 2025. Dr. Neinas was born and raised in Detroit, MI. After earning his, OD, Dr. Neinas returned to Michigan, first joining a First Optometry practice in Ypsilanti, later leading the practice and then Henry Ford OptimEyes before relocating to Van Buren Township. He retired in 2001. An active outdoorsman, Dr. Neinas enjoyed sports, travel, motorcycles, and Corvettes, and spent winters in southwest Florida. He is survived by his wife, Linda Charlene Luke, his son, brother, extended family, and grandchildren.
1965
Boykin Baird Smith, 86, passed away on January 9, 2026. Dr. Smith devoted more than four decades to caring for patients through his private optometry practice in Olney, Illinois, before continuing his career in Abingdon, Virginia. He was deeply engaged in his church and community, supporting organizations including the Olney Arts Council and Barter Theatre.
1970s
1971
Robert James Peterson, 78, passed away on February 8, 2026. Known affectionately as “Dr. Bob,” he built a longstanding optometry practice in McHenry, Illinois, and was admired for his warmth, kindness, and dedication to patient care. Deeply committed to community service, he was active in Kiwanis International for nearly five decades and served as both president of the Lake-McHenry Branch of the Illinois Optometric Society and alderman for the City of McHenry.
1976
Ronald Ray Foreman, 77, passed away on December 9, 2025. After serving honorably in the United States Marine Corps, Dr. Foreman built a respected optometry practice in Lake City, Florida. A longtime leader within the Florida Optometric Association, he served as president in 2000 and received numerous honors, including the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Deeply committed to volunteerism, he supported many civic, educational, and faith-based organizations throughout his life.
1976
Neil Jones Frischknecht, 78, passed away on November 4, 2025. Dr. Frischknecht practiced in Utah until his retirement in 2020, earning the respect of patients and colleagues for his care and professionalism. Outside of his practice, he pursued creative interests, including gardening, stained glass, watercolor painting, design, and woodworking. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was active in teaching, youth sports, and community life.
1976
Martin Edward Turkis, Sr., 79, passed away on March 23, 2026. After earning his Doctor of Optometry, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star. Dr. Turkis practiced optometry in Eureka, California, for 35 years and was known for his faith, kindness, integrity, and sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Deborah, their children and grandchildren, and extended family.
1977
Douglas W. Gushwa, 74, passed away on March 15, 2026. Dr. Gushwa served the Pocatello, Idaho, community for nearly 40 years, caring for patients from 1977 until his retirement. Known for his love of family, fishing, hunting, camping, and gardening, he embraced life with enthusiasm and generosity. He especially treasured time spent outdoors and making memories with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Gail, along with his children, grandchildren, and extended family.
1980s
1985
Steven Peterson, 66, passed away on November 9, 2025. Dr. Peterson dedicated more than 25 years to caring for patients in rural Minnesota through his practice. Dr. Peterson was admired for his commitment to his patients, his quiet kindness, and his deep love for family and community. Beyond optometry, he enjoyed music, photography, and the outdoors. Survived by his wife, Linda.
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
