Alumni News
General News
Optometry
Garner H. Downey, OD ‘50, passed away on Feb. 1, 2022, at the age of 99. Dr. Downey graduated from Elkton High School, Elkton, Virginia in 1939; Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Virginia in 1948, with a degree in Mathematics and PCO in 1950. He and Mae Frances Thacker Downey were married Aug. 14, 1945, in Virginia. They had one daughter, The Rev. Dr. Karen Downey Beals, who currently resides in Hilo, Hawaii. The Dr. Garner Downey, OD, office of optometry was opened above Downey’s Furniture, his mother and father’s furniture store, in 1950. He retired in 2010 after working 59 years. In addition to his daughter, Karen, he is survived by a granddaughter, Katie Adrianne (Ryan) Jones, and two great-grandsons.
Donald H. Lakin, OD ‘53, passed away on Feb. 1, 2022, at the age of 91. After graduation from high school, Dr. Lakin attended the Detroit Institute of Technology in Michigan and then PCO, from which he graduated in 1953 with his Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. Dr. Lakin practiced in the Detroit area for over 30 years, establishing what is now Family Eye Care Associates. In the 1980s, he began working with the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University and affiliated with what is now Advanced Optometry in Cadillac. The Michigan Optometric Association recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement Award and for five years he chaired the Association of Practice Management Education. He retired from the College of Optometry in 2000 as an associate professor. Dr. Lakin was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, in 2013, after nearly 62 years of marriage; and daughter, Candy Lakin in 2011, a daughter-in-law, Barbara Lewis-Lakin in 2021; and a great granddaughter in 2013. Survivors include family members Bill Lakin, Jean Lakin, Cindy Morley, Mark Morley, Shawn Lewis-Lakin, John Smith, Kim Clark and Jennifer Clark; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; and friend and companion Pat Steinhour.
Floyd M. Lapidow, OD ‘53, passed away on Oct. 17, 2021. Dr. Lapidow graduated from Burlington High School, attended the University of Vermont, and graduated from PCO. He practiced in Essex Junction, Vermont, for more than 50 years, retiring in 2000. In 2012, he and his wife of 67 years, Vonetta, moved to a retirement community in Princeton, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife; his children Risa (Jeffrey Brown), Seth (June) and Amy (Anne Marie Rothstein); and two grandchildren.
Charles Lester LeValley, Jr., OD ’53, passed away on Aug. 10, 2021, at the age of 92. He was raised in Detroit. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and later attended Florida Southern College and then PCO. After receiving his doctorate and board certification, he established his practice in Lakeland, Florida, under the name "Dr. Lester LeValley, Optometrist" and later on "LeValley Vision Center." Les was a member of the Florida Optometric Association, the American Board of Optometry, and the International Society of Contact Lens Specialist. Dr. LeValley was a member of the Lions Club and provided eyecare services for its vision program. He is survived by his wife Pierrette, his children Frances (Kurt), Sarah Ann, and Lesley (Joe), his stepchildren Josee (Peter) and Francois; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Joseph A. Bouchard, Jr., OD ‘54, passed away on Dec. 6, 2021, at the age of 97. He was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, and was a resident of Claremont, New Hampshire, for 51 years. He attended schools in Nashua and was a graduate of Tilton School, Tilton, New Hampshire, in 1943. Inducted into the United States Coast Guard Reserve in 1943, he was active in the invasion of Okinawa, Japan. After military service in 1946, he attended Providence College, in Providence, Rhode Island. He then enrolled at PCO, graduating in 1954 and receiving his OD degree. He served his profession for 55 years, retiring in 2009. In July 1954, he married the former Claire C. Bissonnette. The following October, he began practicing optometry in Manchester, New Hampshire. While living in Manchester, he was elected to the Board of School Committee from Ward 8. In 1969, he purchased the Optometric Practice of Dr. Porter O. Dexter in Claremont, New Hampshire in which he moved his family in 1970. He was active in his profession, serving the New Hampshire Optometric Association as president, being named Optometrist of the Year in 1985, and serving this association for more than 25 consecutive years. He was a past president of the New England Council of Optometry and served as a board member for 14 consecutive years. He is survived by his son, David Bouchard of Weston Florida, his daughter, Celeste, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Melvin H. Winter, OD ‘54, passed away on Oct. 1, 2021, at the age of 90. Born in Bronx, New York, he was married to Shirley for 59 years and they resided in Germany while he served as a U.S. Air Force LT and Optometrist. He was a graduate of City College of New York and PCO. He opened his optometry practice in Newport News, Virginia, and practiced for 53 years. He was preceded in death by his wife. He is survived by his son, Jeff; his daughter, Debra Ansbacher; two grandchildren; and sister, Carol Kassof.
Jerome H. Resnick, OD ‘55, passed away on May 2, 2021, at the age of 89. After graduating from The Bronx High School of Science, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at New York University and his Doctorate of Optometry at PCO. After his tour in the military, he opened his office in the village of Keeseville, nestled between the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain in New York. In 1963, Dr. Resnick had two children, Jeffrey and Wendy. He is survived by his wife Lil; his two children; and four grandchildren.
Richard G. Eshelman, OD ‘56, passed away on Aug. 26, 2020, at the age of 90. He attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in biology in 1952 and then went on to PCO. He opened his practice a floor above his father’s dental practice in Franklin, Pennsylvania, where he cared for patients for 38 years. That same year, he married Miriam “Del” Breish of Philadelphia, and they had three children – Tom (Debra), Mindy and Andrew (Kaylene); and six grandchildren. He was president, officer, and/or board member of Kiwanis, YMCA, Northwestern Optometric Association, Franklin Fine Arts Council, First United Methodist Church. He also was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Mu Alpha, the Masonic Myrtle Lodge 316, and the Zem Zem.
Thayne W. Maurer, OD ‘57, passed away on Nov. 18, 2021, at the age of 89. Born on June 5, 1932 in Tremont, Pennsylvania, he was a 1950 graduate of the Tremont Senior High School, and a 1957 graduate of the then Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO). He served in the United States Army Reserves and the National Guard. He was a member of the Grace United Church of Christ. Dr. Mauer had his own practice for 50 years with offices in Shippensburg and Greencastle, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) and the American Optometric Association (AOA). Dr. Thayne was a member of the Shippensburg Lions Club. Surviving him are two sons, Thayne Gerald, and John Andrew (Ana), all of Shippensburg; one daughter, Jill Tavish (Craig) Pinci, York Haven, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren; one great grandson; one sister, Seray (Donald) Moyer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Virginia M. (nee Tavish) in 2007; a grandson; and a sister, Rose Smith.
Gilbert E. Selvin, OD ‘62, passed away on Sept. 30, 2021, at the age of 88. Dr. Selvin was born in Brooklyn, New York, graduated from Arkansas State University, served in the U.S. Army, and then attended PCO. He married Judith Levine in 1964 and had 48 years together until she passed away in 2012. They raised two sons, Paul and Brian, on Long Island, New York, before retiring to Somerset, New Jersey. He is survived by his children, Paul (Rachel) and Brian (Karen); four grandchildren; a brother, Martin and his companion later in life, Leona.
Jeffrey M. Kramer, OD ‘63, passed away on Oct. 22, 2021, at the age of 85. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he spent many joyful and informative years in Hurleyville, New York working at the family hotel and music camp. He graduated from the Pennsylvania School of Optometry in 1963. Prior to optometry school, he served in the Army for two years and attended Marietta College in Ohio. On August 30, 1964, he married Rochelle. Together, they raised their family in Clifton Park, New York, where Dr. Kramer built a successful optometric practice, was a member of the Kiwanis Club, learned to coach soccer and became interested in fishing. The two moved to Delray Beach, Florida, where he opened a not-for-profit eye clinic to serve the community of Delray. They returned to Clifton Park to spend the past few years closer to family. Survivors include his wife Rochelle; sons, David (Robin) of Newton, Massachusetts, and Ken (Leslie) of Saratoga Springs, New York; two grandchildren; and two brothers.
William J. Troppauer, OD ‘66, passed away on March 5, 2020. Surviving are daughters Lauren (and the late George) Gavioli and Chelsea (Eric Mansky) Troppauer; two grandchildren; and a sister.
Harold B. Wagner, OD ‘79, passed away on Jan. 26, 2022 following a long battle with a chronic medical condition complicated by COVID-19. Born in Philadelphia, he graduated from Central High School Class of 1969. He completed his undergraduate studies at Penn State and returned to Philadelphia to continue with postgraduate studies at PCO. Dr. Wagner lived in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and practiced optometry until his retirement in 2018. Surviving are his sisters, Sara Potter, (Larry), and Debra Simon, (Paul); three nieces, two nephews and one great-nephew.
George A. Stephenson, OD ‘83, passed away on Oct. 24, 2021. He was a graduate of the College of William and Mary, received a master's in biology from Virginia Commonwealth University and a doctorate from the PCO. He practiced optometry, initially in the U.S. Air Force and later, in private practice in Virginia. He is survived by his brother, W. Lewis Stephenson of Richmond, Virginia; and sister, Elizabeth A. Stephenson of New York City.
Roxanne Del Frari, MS ‘84, passed away on Jan. 4, 2022. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 1976, teaching children with special educational needs in central Pennsylvania, followed by the Overbrook School for the Blind. In 1984, Del Frari earned her master’s degree as part of the first class in Low Vision Rehabilitation at PCO. She worked as a preschool and elementary education consultant in the Lakes Region area until joining the Sant Bani school community in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, where she worked for 25 years until retiring from education as a paraeducator in the Inter-Lakes School District. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Paul; son, Benjamin (Melanie) East Corinth, Vermont; daughter, Fiana Del Frari Shaw (Michael) Bedford, New Hampshire; and a brother.
J. Maria Danyi, OD ‘87, passed away on July 23, 2021. She attended the University of Maryland, graduating with a bachelor’s in microbiology in 1983 and then attended PCO, graduating in 1987. While at PCO, she was elected to the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Fraternity. Dr. Danyi had an optometry practice in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for 36 years and was a former president of the Lehigh Valley Optometric Society. In addition to her father, she is survived by her daughter, Elisabeth Madsen Danyi of Milford, New Jersey; three sisters; and three brothers. She was preceded in death by her son, Frank John Danyi III in 2017.
Thomas E. Fisher, AuD ‘03, passed away on May 23, 2021. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and married Lorrie, and together they had two children. Dr. Fisher graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a master’s in Communicative Sciences and Disorders-Audiology. He was employed as an audiologist in Champaign, Illinois, and then relocated to Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1979 and joined Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. Later he completed a Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) at the University of Pennsylvania and continued to be dedicated to his patients at ENT Associates until his retirement in May of 2019. He is survived by his children, Kim (James) Kramer and Ben (Nicole); his former wife, Lorrie; three grandchildren; his father, E. Eugene; and three sisters. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Marie.
Alicia M. Krupa, OD ‘08, passed away on Feb. 1, 2022 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with colon cancer. She was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is survived by parents Eugene and Christine (Pekala). She was a graduate of Richland High School (1996) and a graduate of Penn State with a bachelor’s in Biology and Nutrition (2001). After graduation from college, she was employed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals as a research scientist before transitioning to the National Institute of Health, where she worked as a genetic engineer. From there, she attended PCO and received her Doctor of Optometry (2008). In addition to her work in private practice, she worked for Lasik Surgery, Andrews Air Force Base, and concluded her career as an optometrist with Visionworks in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) area. She is also survived by sisters, Andria Krupa Voelker, Esq., Alaina (Zachary) Dworak, and Dr. Ashlea (Brady) Forshey.
Anastasia R. Goerl, OD ‘21, passed away on Jan. 18, 2022, at the age of 27. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Pamela M. (Muth) and the late John J. Goerl, who passed away on Jan. 5, 2010. She was a 2013 graduate of Lower Dauphin High School, a 2017 graduate of Shippensburg University with a degree in biology, and a 2021 graduate of PCO/Salus where she earned her Doctor of Optometry degree. Dr. Goerl worked for Dombroski Eye Associates in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and formerly with Dr. Glenn Corbin of Wyomissing Optometric Center. She was an accomplished volleyball player and while at Shippensburg, she earned athlete of the week several times in women's volleyball. After college, she played for a club team while she attended PCO/Salus. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, Stephen M. Rudi, whom she married on September 18, 2021; her brother, John Paul "Jake" husband of Dr. Emily Gray Goerl of Lancaster; her sister, Kathryn Amelia Goerl of Rochester, New York; and her paternal grandparents, Jack and Ellen Goerl of Pittsburgh.
Keith E. Locke passed away on Nov. 27, 2021. Born on October 29, 1946, in East Liverpool, Ohio, Locke was an alumnus of the East Liverpool High School Class of 1964. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in German. Beginning in 1968 during the Vietnam War era, he served his country for three years as a Special-Agent-in-Charge in the United States Army, Military Intelligence, in Munich and Berchtesgaden, Germany. Following military service, Locke continued his education, completing a Master of Arts degree in German in 1972 that was jointly conferred by Middlebury College in Vermont and Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet in Mainz, Germany. Locke served as an adjunct faculty member in the mid-1990s, teaching German at Butler University and Indiana University — Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). He began a Doctor of Philosophy program in Comparative Literature at Indiana University in 1973. After completing two dissertations and overcoming logistical challenges, he received his PhD degree from IU in 1992. He went on to have a successful business career, including leadership roles in sales and marketing (Manager, Sales and Marketing for Sun Chemical Corporation; Director of Sales and Marketing for the Mansur Development Corporation); business consulting, business coaching, and strategic planning (he founded Market Planning Consultants); and, teleconferencing. Locke concluded his business career in 2013 as president and CEO of TelSpan, Inc. For six years, he served as a part-time patient coordinator for international optometry programs at Salus University; he served in a similar role for Salus’ Veterans Readiness Initiative Pilot Clinic. He is survived by his wife, Linda Casser Locke, OD, FAAO, FNAP, coordinator of interprofessional education at Salus. He is also survived by his brother, James A. Locke, III (Susan); his mother-in-law Carolyn L. Casser; and was predeceased by his parents, James A. Locke, Jr., and Margaret H. Locke.
