Gary Marc Lazarus ’66, O.D., Ph.D, F.A.A.O., passed away after a long illness on Nov. 23. He was 81.

Lazarus received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and while an undergraduate did graduate study in neurophysiology and neuropsychology at UCLA’s Brain Research Institute at the UCLA School of Medicine. While attending optometry school, he completed both a bachelor of science degree in visual physiology and the O.D., the doctor of optometry.

Continuing his education, Lazarus earned a master’s degree in neurophysiology of vision and a Ph.D in neuro-ophthalmic science. He interned at the ENT Department of the Long Beach Naval Hospital in Long Beach as well as doing rounds at the Jules Stein Eye Institute and the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital. He was a member of many national and international eye research opportunities and was a senior member of the attending optometry staff of Cedars Sinai for many years.

Lazarus was on the leading edge of contact lenses research and development and refractive surgery. He participated in writing articles and giving scientific presentations. His optometry office was in Manhattan Beach, California, and he was a long-time resident of Sherman Oaks, California.

Lazarus is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Diane ’69, and his brother-in-law, Richard Seigle. The funeral was held at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park Hollywood Hills on Nov. 26.