Gunter K. von Noorden MD

Gunter K. von Noorden MD age 88 died peacefully at home after a prolonged illness. He was born March 19, 1928 at Frankfurt am Main Germany. He is survived by Betty, his wife of 59 years, daughter, Sonja, and his brother Wolf. He was preceded in death by his father Hans, Mother Lilly nee Andreae, sister Lilly, and stepfather, Paul Hannemann.

Dr. von Noorden spent his formative years in the tumultuous years between WWI and WWII in Germany. He was severely injured in a Russian bombardment of Berlin in April 1945, barely retaining a severely injured right leg. His full recovery from this grave injury is attested by his being an avid runner, a fine tennis player, an aspiring golfer, and a nearly daily swimmer until the last days of his life. In the ravaged atmosphere of post war Germany, Dr. von Noorden, continued his education culminating in his graduation from Medical School in Frankfurt am Main where his grandfather had been a distinguished faculty member.

Starting life in the United States in 1954, Dr. von Noorden was received warmly as an intern in Little Rock, Arkansas where he did his first cataract operation. This experience convinced him that he should pursue the specialty of ophthalmology. After a brief training stint in Cleveland, Dr. von Noorden completed his residency in Iowa, but not before his most important accomplishment on the shore of Lake Erie, meeting and eventually marrying Betty, a nurse he met in the newborn nursery. After completion of an ophthalmology residency at Iowa, Dr. von Noorden studied in Tubingen, Germany before returning to Iowa City to launch an academic career assuming a staff position.

He moved from Iowa to The Wilmer Institute at John Hopkins Hospital in 1963 to launch the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Service at that institution and then to the Baylor College of Medicine in a similar position, retiring in 1996 as Distinguished Emeritus Professor.

Dr. von Noorden authored four textbooks, more than 300 scientific papers, twenty one named lectures, accepted numerous prestigious medals, and served as a founding member and President of the International Strabismological Association and The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. He received numerous high honors from leading ophthalmologic and other institutions. Chief among these was an honorary Doctor of Medicine from the University of Bologna.

Throughout his career in medicine, Dr. von Noorden taught by demonstration, skillful writing, imaginative research, and overall example that set high standards and tolerated few excuses. He was demanding, but never asked for more than he would give, and his formal demeanor could give to extraordinarily good humor and fun loving nature.

Dr. von Noorden loved to read, often German literature, enjoyed fine music, swam daily, loved his wife of nearly 60 years while considering her the best cook in the world, and gave full measure to ophthalmology, especially strabismus in its various forms. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to ‘Gunter K. von Noorden’ fund in care of “AAPOS”

And our Thanks go to

1. Eagle’s Trace Home Support

2. Aides—Tajuana, Soraya, Julie, Mikki, Sophia and others

3. Hospice Compassus, and nurses.

A comprehensive account of the life of Gunter K. von Noorden can be found on his website www.guntervonnoorden.com or in his autobiography “From Berlin to Texas” Available on Amazon Book.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. A reception will follow the memorial service at Earthman Funeral Directors.