In Memoriam: Spring 2024

1950s

Richard A. Peoples, OD ‘55, passed away on December 7, 2023, at the age of 91. He was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was among the first graduating classes of Mount Pleasant High School in 1950. He then attended the University of Delaware and graduated from the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO) in 1955. Immediately following his graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He practiced optometry in Selbyville, Delaware, for 30 years. He retired early to operate his own boat as a charter boat captain, which he did for 20 years. He was a member and secretary of the Delaware Board of Optometry and also served as an elder at the Ocean View Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Amy D.P. Peoples, and his sons, J. Keith Peoples of Washington, D.C., and Richard A. Peoples, Jr., of Houston.

Ralph Bologna, OD ‘58, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2024, at age 96. He was born on February 12, 1928, to John and Anna Bologna. Dr. Bologna graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1951. He was drafted for service during the Korean Conflict and was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Bliss, Texas. Dr. Bologna served as an artillery officer in Korea, where he achieved the rank of second Lieutenant and received an honorable discharge. He earned a degree from the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO) and enjoyed a 41-year career as a trusted optometrist in Greenwich, Connecticut. He married Sheila Ringrose in 1962. In addition to his wife, Dr. Bologna is survived by his sons, John (Patricia), Justin (Lisa) and Kenneth (Deirdre), six grandchildren, as well as his sisters Marie D’Elia and Tilda Fico and four nieces. He was predeceased by his sister Josephine Tripodi and four nephews.

1960s

Alex R. Rabinowitz, OD ‘64, passed away on February 6, 2024, at the age of 85. He was born in Port Chester, New York, on December 17, 1938, and was the only child of Samuel and Ida Rabinowitz. Dr. Rabinowitz attended high school at the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut. Upon his high school graduation, he attended New York University where he met Marilyn Stern. Dr. Rabinowitz and Marilyn were married on June 23, 1962. Upon college graduation, he attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO). In 1964, Dr. Rabinowitz received his doctorate degree, graduating first in his class. In 1968, he moved his family to Horseheads, New York, and purchased Council Opticians in Elmira, New York. He practiced optometry and he and Marilyn managed Council Opticians together for 33 years. Dr. Rabinowitz is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marilyn; his son, Jeffrey (Marie); son, Andrew (Suzanna); and three grandchildren.

Alexander J. Graham, OD ‘65, passed away on September 6, 2023, at the age of 81. Dr. Graham was born in Lockport, New York, and eventually his family moved to Lakewood, New York. He was the first of three children of Alexander and Ruth (Springer) Graham and graduated from Southwestern Central High School in Jamestown, New York. After attending Grove City College, Dr. Graham graduated from PCO at the top of his class. Dr. Graham opened his first optometry practice in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, and then was drafted to serve in the Medical Service Corps where he attained the rank of U.S. Army Captain. Following his service, he moved his Penn Hills practice to Murrysville, Pennsylvania. Dr. Graham is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn, and six children: Jeffrey of Murrysville; Lynelle of Durham, North Carolina; Thomas of Boston; Juliene of Murrysville; Laurelyn of Corning, New York; and Alexis of Murrysville; his sister, Caryn, of Hubbard, Ohio; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Barry.

1970s

Michael Caplan, OD ‘70, 79, of Keswick, Virginia, died on October 29, 2023 at his home in Glenmore, Virginia. He was predeceased by his parents, Esther Finkelstein and Sydney Caplan, and his sister, Roslyn Suss. He left behind his wife, Patti; his son, Josh (Beth); his brother-in-law, Jack (Susanne); his dog, Winston; one step-granddaughter; many beloved nieces and nephews; and numerous loving friends.

George G. Thomas, OD ‘70, passed away on February 13, 2024, at the age of 84. He was the husband of Elaine F. (Baustian); together they shared 32 years of marriage. Dr. Thomas was born in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, on March 6, 1939, and was the son of the late Ellis and Beula (Emig). He served his country in the U.S. Army before being honorably discharged. He attended North Florida Junior College where he was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society in its Mu Xi Chapter. He later attended Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) where he received his Doctor of Optometry degree. Dr. Thomas was the sole proprietor of his private practice, Dr. George Thomas Optometry, in Spring Grove. In addition to his wife Elaine, George is survived by step-children Chad Holler and Christy Gladfelter; his grandchildren Rowan and Cooper; and his siblings Joseph Thomas and Kathy DeCello. He was preceded indeath by his four siblings.

Jerry Rozanoff, OD ‘75, passed away on February 7, 2024, at the age of 74. He was born on June 20, 1949. His parents, Abe and Sarah, preceded him in death. Dr. Rozanoff graduated from Michigan State University, and after completing his degree at PCO, he began practicing in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with David Rose, OD. He was best known as a Pearle Vision doctor and owned four locations. He is survived by his sister, Anita Newman of Arizona, and his sons, Seth Aaron and Peter Samuel Joseph.

Dale L. DeConcilis, OD ‘76, passed away on September 3, 2023, at the age of 74. Dr. DeConcilis was born on June 17, 1949, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Frank and Emily DeConcilis. He attended Uniontown High School and after graduating, he studied at St. Vincent College. He then went on to attend PCO. On August 24, 1991, he married Joyce. He was the owner of DeConcilis Eye and Vision Center in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania for 41 years before his retirement. Dr. DeConcilis is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Joyce; daughters, Julie (Tommy) and Chelsea (Michael); sons, Shawn (Melissa) and Brandon; six grandchildren, and his dog Penny.

1980s

Leslie D. Budinger, OD ‘80, passed away on July 19, 2023, at the age of 68. Dr. Budinger was born on September 8, 1954. He was the son of the late Garth and Meredith (Langham). He graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1972, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Lycoming College in 1976, and graduated from the PCO in 1980. He owned Colonial Optometric Associates, PC in Downingtown, Pennsylvania until his retirement in 2017. He is survived by his wife, Karen (Ward); four sons, Matthew (Meghan), Daniel (Julie), Christopher (Jenna) and Ryan; his mother, Meredith; his brothers, Alan E. and Garth E.; his sister, Barbara (Jeffrey) Yost; and five grandchildren.

Faculty

Jerry Strickland, OD, PhD, passed away on April 24, 2024. Dr. Strickland joined the faculty and administration of PCO as associate professor and director of the Division of Professional Studies. He served as dean and chief academic officer of PCO from 1975 through 1979.

Friends and Former Staff

Edward J. Collins of Philadelphia passed away on January 4, 2024, following a long illness. Collins was the son of John F. Collins, Jr., and Francis Toland Collins. He graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School, class of 1970. Prior to his retirement, he had a long career as an optician at PCO/Salus University. He is survived by his brother John; his two sisters, Connie Hanson of Arlington, Texas and Fran Nase of Boyertown, Pennsylvania; as well as five nephews, four nieces and six grand nephews.

Sara Jones-Simms, a staff member of Salus University for 29 years, passed away on February 11, 2024.