Arnold J. Kroll M.D.

Arnold J. Kroll, M.D. of Chestnut Hill and Mashpee, MA passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on January 27, 2026. He was 91 years old. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carolyn S. Kroll, his daughters Cindy B. Kroll and Debra M. Kroll, M.D., grandsons Joshua and Samuel Mandel, sister-in-law, Dodds Shamroth, nieces and nephews Jill Reiff (Scott), Lori Shamroth, Terri Isaacs (Gary), Michael Slotkin (Karen), Craig Kholos (Kristin), Diane Kholos Wysocki and Barry Kholos and grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Rona Kholos (Norman Kholos), Evelyn Slotkin (Marvin Slotkin, M.D), his late brother-in-law Robert Shamroth and nephew David Slotkin. He was a wonderful and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and son. He was kind, generous, a hard worker and a great role model for all of us.

Arnold was born on November 21,1934 to the late Harry and Belle Kroll. He was raised in Jersey City, New Jersey and graduated as valedictorian of his class at Henry Snyder High School. He was a champion gymnast and All State Trumpet player. He graduated from Princeton University in 1956 on a four year scholarship and was a member of the marching band and fencing team. He graduated from Columbia University College of Physician and Surgeons, completed Internship at Beth Israel Hospital and Residency in Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He was a member of the Faculty at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute where he learned cutting edge surgical techniques. He did research on the retina using the electron microscope. He lectured internationally and published his findings.

Arnold met Carolyn on a blind date in Miami when she was on vacation with her friends. They hit it off immediately and were married within the year. They moved back to Boston to raise their exceptional daughters, Cindy and Debra. He started his busy Retina private practice in Charles River Park. They moved to Weston and were active members at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley.

Dr. Kroll was a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts University School of Medicine. He was awarded teacher of the year by the residents three times for teaching the Fluorescein Angiography conference. He was on the Clinical Staff and performed his retina surgery cases at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. The fellows that he trained shared that he displayed true calm under pressure even in the Operating room.

Thousands of patients benefited from his care. He loved what he did and was excited to go to work to help his patients every day. He retired at the age of 84.

Arnold's favorite times were when he was on Cape Cod. He loved being on the boat with his family and dogs, golfing, swimming and cooking on the grill for everyone. He greatly enjoyed his singing group in Florida and sang love songs every day to Carolyn. He also was a voracious reader. He will be loved and missed forever.

The funeral will be held Friday, 1/30/26 at 1 PM at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 1668 Beacon Street, BROOKLINE, MA 02445. Burial will follow at Congregation Shirat Hayam Cemetary, Beth El Section, Lowell Street, Peabody, MA.

Shiva will be observed in Chestnut Hill, MA at the clubhouse at his residence on Saturday, 1/31/26 from 5:30-8:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Arnold’s memory can be made to: Temple Beth Elohim, Cantor or Rabbi Fund, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA 02481-3595 or Retinitis Pigmentosa Research at Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, ℅ Rajendra Kumar-Singh Lab, Suite 833, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 or online at https://gsbs.tufts.edu/faculty-research/rajendra-kumar-singh-lab