Illinois College of Optometry - Annual Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Zin Memoriam DR. CARL F. SHEPARD, O.D., D.O.S

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bedicativn The lllinois College of Optometry and the optometric profession lost a great and good friend this year with the passing of Carl F, Shepard. His ties with our college have been many and varied. lt is indeed appropriate that students and faculty should commemorate and recall with a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude the richness of association shared with him. Rarely do we memorial- ize a member of our profession in this fashion. But Shep was a rare soul! His association with this college began in l923 when he was called to Chicago by the late Dr. William Needles to join the faculty of the Northern lllinois College of Optometry, Dr, Shepard was soon recognized as a truly gifted teacher i that rare individual who not only possessed knowledge and understanding, but also could impart these to others, Recognizing his deep and immediate understanding of professional problems, students were always quick to seek him out for friendly counsel and advice, As the years passed he spent less and less time developing a practice, and more and more time in academic pursuits. His genuine affection for people and his appreciation of the challenges and rewards of teaching and research meant much more to him than the monetary returns of a successful practice. The optometric profession has benefited in many ways from his decision. ln the field of re- search, Dr. Shepard's inquisitive mind led to investigating problems and devising solutions which have become standard procedures in the field. One of his most noteworthy contributions was the development of the Betts Ready to Read Cards modified and known today as the Keystone Visual Skill cards. ln the field of professional publications, Dr, Shepard exerted a pervasive influence. Many of his original papers have appeared in our leading optometric journals. As technical editor of The Optometric Weekly, a position he held for the past 25 years, he had a rare gift for recognizing the potentialities and significance of the work of his colleagues. Although his primary interest lay in the field of teaching and research, Dr. Shepard was also a practicing optometrist for over 40 years. His association with his patients, like that with his students, was characterized by cordial and affectionate regard. lt was not unusual for Dr, Shepard to have patients from several generations in a single family. His wide and varied experiences in his professional practice made him eminently qualified to discuss with his students the many facets of private practice. Throughout the course of his life, Dr. Shepard received many professional acknowledgments of his leadership. His rare ability to speak with both authority and inspiration made him widely sought as a keynote speaker at both academic and organizational functions. He was one of the original founders and a life member of Beta Sigma Kappa. He was a member of the American Academy of Optometry, a fellow of the Distinguished Service Foundation of Optometry, the first honorary member of the Tomb and Key Freternity, and an honorary member of many state asso- ciations and optometric groups, Dr. Shepard's career was marked by lifelong service to optometric education. His most recent activities were directed toward the consolidation of Northern lllinois College of Optometry and Chicago College of Optometry. Following the merger of the two institu- tions, he served as director of alumni activities and head of the development fund for the lllinois College of Optometry Alumni Association. Professional recognition was not the only acknowledgment of his rare qualities. He was be- loved by all who knew him, He possessed wisdom, understanding, enthusiasm, a sense of kind- ness and fair play to a degree seldom equalled. His were the gifts of an outgoing personality, an un- derstanding heart, and a lovable humor. And he was willing to share these gifts of mind, heart, and spirit with all who met him. We shall not look upon his like again.