Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History, Volume 47, Number 2  Remembrance: Larry J. Alexander  2016| Page 48 

Remembrance 
John F. Amos, O.D., M.S. 
eyedoc@uab.edu 
 

Larry J. Alexander, O.D. (1947-2016)  

 It was with great sadness the profession learned of Dr. 
Larry Alexander’s sudden passing on April 16, 2016.  It 
caused me to reflect on Larry’s career and the many times our 
careers intersected.  I first met Larry in 1969 when he was a 
third year student at Indiana University.  This was in the very 
early years when the seeds were being sown for the evolution 
of the profession to expand its scope of practice.  This notion 
took root during the years of the Vietnam Conflict when many 
graduating or young optometrists served as optometry 
officers in the military.  It was apparent to me that even as a 
student Larry possessed a keen desire to see the profession 
change.  He was insightful and always anxious to learn more 
beyond the interests of others. 

Following graduation from the School of Optometry 
at Indiana University in 1971 Larry served as an optometry officer in the U. S. Navy.  On 
his discharge from the Navy in June 1973, he practiced in Elizabeth City, North 
Carolina.  During his time in North Carolina, I received a call from Larry expressing an 
interest in academic optometry.  After the appropriate interviews, Larry joined the UAB 
School of Optometry in 1975 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Optometry.   
 He was the first of many young faculty who helped transform the UAB School of 
Optometry into the outstanding clinical program it became.  His interest and passion 
was in the area of ocular disease.  Needless to say, he was a talented educator whom 
both students and practitioners enjoyed.  During his 20 years at UAB he developed 
several courses, but his primary clinical interest was in diseases of the vitreous and 
retina.  This eventually led to his writing a book entitled Primary Care of the Posterior 
Segment.  For many years, and through three editions, this book served as the standard 
for the profession in this area of eye care. 

On a personal note, Larry and I had the opportunity to travel together and serve 
the school and profession on many occasions.  He was friendly, gregarious, funny, 
caring, possessed a quick smile, and a wonderful laugh.  Sometimes just one look sent us 
both into gales of laughter we could not control. 

After he left UAB to practice in Indiana and Kentucky he retired in McKinney, 
Texas but continued to serve the profession in a number of ways.  Our paths continued 
to cross but not as frequently.  I will miss Larry for many reasons but always remember 
our many good times together and his significant contributions to optometry. 

Figure 1.  Larry J. Alexander 
(from the Birmingham News, 
April 24, 2016) 

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