Bruce Eugene Dahrling

Dr. Bruce E. Dahrling, II, a distinguished Ophthalmologist in Chattanooga for over 36 years, died Thursday, February 10, 2011 at his home in Hixson surrounded by his family. He was born on October 31, 1939 on Lookout Mountain and was a graduate of Baylor School. He received his A.B. degree from Vanderbilt University and his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He served two years as a resident in pathology at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver, followed by two years in the Navy with the National Institutes of Health, serving as executive secretary of the Vision Research Training Committee. While in the Navy, he also served his country in Vietnam. He later completed a three-year residency in ophthalmology at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco. He practiced ophthalmology in association with Dr. Robert Ross Peabody in Sacramento, CA, and co-authored one of the first papers ever written on the effectiveness of the Argon Laser.

Dr. Dahrling moved back to Chattanooga in 1974 and was the first surgeon in the city to use a laser for medical purposes. He was the first board certified retina specialist to practice in Chattanooga, offering patients the opportunity to receive cutting edge technology and treatment locally vs. having to travel to other cities. Throughout his 36 years of practice he continued to offer state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and treatment at his medical center in Hixson, TN. He was forced to retire early and he missed his patients terribly. He recently sold his practice, North Park Eye Center, to Dr. John L. Stone and was pleased to know that his patients could continue to receive care at the same location and that his staff could enjoy continued employment.

Dr. Dahrling was a devout Christian, he enjoyed studying and reading the bible and many years ago had memorized the entire book of Romans. Dr. Dahrling was a passionate person and often commented that he had enjoyed a full, active life. He was often called a “walking encyclopedia” as he had a photographic memory and could recall countless facts and details in an instant. He loved to travel, especially cruising, he enjoyed discussing politics, he loved history, and he constantly read and studied books related to the Civil War and World War II. He was a collector and enjoyed displaying his art and Indian arrowhead collection at the office for his patients to enjoy. He loved his family dearly, including his dog Max, who was his constant companion over the last few months. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was affectionately known by his close friends and family as the “Grand Pooh-Bah”. He was kind-hearted, generous, sentimental, and faithful and he was looking forward to becoming a grandfather for the first time. He was a member of Chattanooga Church.

Dr. Dahrling is survived by his loving wife, Sheri Adams Dahrling of Hixson, his daughter, Angela Dahrling Babb and her husband, Daniel Babb of Suwanee, GA. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret S. Ihrig and his father, Bruce E. Dahrling. The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Chattanooga, especially Amy Latham, RN, for their expert, compassionate care; Shawn Farris, LPN, of Knoxville, TN; and Meaghan McNutt of Cleveland, TN. Words cannot adequately express what their kindness and compassion meant to Dr. Dahrling and his family during this difficult time.

Services will be held 3:00 P.M. Sunday, February 13, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Pastor Morty Lloyd of Chattanooga Church officiating. Visitation will be from 1 until 3 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. There will be no graveside services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Bible Village, 3001 Hamill Road, Hixson, TN 37343 or to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Share your thoughts and memories on line at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com.