A lot of what I have to say, you have heard before:

Abbot and I had professional careers that were very similar in many ways but not in ways that were unique or terribly important. If you decide to become a practicing Ophthalmologist with an academic interest in Eye Pathology everyone is going to pass similar signposts along the way. Since he was a couple of years older, he served as a great example.

So what are the other similarities besides height, weight, age and hair color? Navy Medical Corp Lieutenants stationed aboard ships; Armed Forces Institute of Pathology fellows; university teaching appointments along with a clinical practice; occasional examiners for the American Board of Ophthalmology and membership in the usual local, state and national professional societies.

However when you look at the dissimilarities you see a person who was truly unique both as a professional and as an individual. He was a top student at a prestigious private high school, honors student  both in college and medical school and a top performer in residency and fellowship. His top academic achievement, in my opinion was his induction into the American Ophthalmologic Society, an organization of extremely limited membership. The few who are asked to join must submit an exhaustive scientific research thesis which in many cases winds up being either rejected or simply not submitted. I remember that at the time Abbot was inducted, there was only one member of this society in the entire state of Nebraska. And it was not me.

So what else was unique:

Abbot spent a lot of time volunteering with non-profit organizations that provided eye care and other assistance to those less fortunate. In retirement he continued to work teaching students and residents and maintaining the Eye Pathology laboratory at his university. He was also a great photographer and a great companion to travel with. He would help you out if you were in trouble. Once he and I were traveling from Omaha to the western lakes of Kentucky in a pick-up with a 12,000 pound boat and trailer behind. At the launching ramp I was working at the back of the boat, in my swimming gear and in the water, because of a minor problem. When the problem became less minor and required immediate attention, Abbot quickly emptied his pockets and joined me in the waist deep water even though I didn’t think things were that serious. I hosted the hamburger dinner that evening while we hung out his clothes.  Abbot had an optimistic attitude about life along with a great sense of humor that captivated his abundant friends and colleagues. The last time I spoke with him he was still upbeat even though unsure of the future.

Lastly one more accomplishment: He was invited to be a visiting professor at our institution twice! That doesn’t happen very often.

We all miss him already,

Jerry Christensen