College of Optometry
Focused on Excellence in Optometric Education and Vision Research

Remembering Jeffrey Myers (OD’84)

Remembering alumnus and former BuckEYE Magazine Editor, Jeff Myers (OD'84)
By Sarah Cupples, MA, Director of Marketing and Communications
Dr. Jeff Myers with tractors from his youth and adulthood.
In one of his BuckEYE Alumni Magazine letters from the editor, Dr. Myers shared the photo of his first tractor, an Allis-Chalmers, powered by feet and pedal action. More than forty years later he got his second tractor, which he enjoyed using on his farm.

For more than 20 years, Jeffrey Myers (OD’84) served as the Alumni Editor of the BuckEYE Alumni Magazine, and we are incredibly sad to share that he passed away peacefully at The James Cancer Hospital on August 4. 

Dr. Myers was a true Central Ohio success story. He was a proud graduate of Groveport-Madison High School, Otterbein College, and of course, The Ohio State University College of Optometry. As an Ohio State Optometry student, his peers elected him president of the Class of 1984, and he was an active Epsilon Psi Epsilon board member.

Throughout his successful professional career in private practice (he owned and operated Winchester Vision Care for more than 40 years) and as a member of the college’s clinical faculty, Dr. Myers was the definition of a servant leader. He gave himself to causes that advanced the profession through grand, sweeping gestures, but also through small acts of kindness. He believed that he lived a blessed life, and he wanted to share those blessings with others. He rarely said “no” to a request for his time or talent. He was president of the Ohio Optometric Association, chair of the East West Eye Conference, president of the Ohio Optometric Foundation, governor of the Central Ohio Optometric Association, chair of the Exhibits Committee of the American Academy of Optometry. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and received the Warren G. and Ruth P. Morris Optometrist of the Year Award from the Ohio Optometric Association in 2003.

Knowing your principles and priorities, caring for the advancement of others more than yourself, and living a life consistent with these thoughts can provide an example worthy of emulation in the areas of your life that you influence.
Spring 2018 BuckEYE Alumni Magazine Dr. Jeff Myers

Dr. Myers was one of the college’s most supportive champions. He chaired the college’s Capital Campaign Committee and served on the university’s Campaign Coordinating Committee. In 2009, he and his wife, Joyce, established the Jeffrey and Joyce Myers Lecture Series at the College of Optometry, annually bringing to campus guest lecturers with expertise across the domains of optometry and vision science. A natural storyteller, Dr. Myers served as the editor of our BuckEYE Alumni Magazine for more than 20 years. He took our humble newsletter and shepherded it to the modern magazine format it is today.

We’re fortunate to have an extensive repository of Dr Myers’ work, including Myers Lecture recordings go.osu.edu/myers, as well as his BuckEYE Magazine editor’s messages go.osu.edu/FromTheEditor.

In his Spring 2018 BuckEYE Alumni Magazine Editor’s Letter, Dr. Myers wrote, “I have been around people who are deeply focused on their legacy in one arena of life or another. While I am not convinced that this should be one’s focus, there is truth in understanding that your actions, large and small, will create your legacy. Knowing your principles and priorities, caring for the advancement of others more than yourself, and living a life consistent with these thoughts can provide an example worthy of emulation in the areas of your life that you influence.”

Dr. Myers leaves behind an incredible legacy among our colleagues, but more so among his cherished family. Donations may be made in his name to the Jeffrey and Joyce Myers Lecture Series, Fund #312823, OSU Foundation, PO Box 736036, Chicago, IL, 60673-6096, or online at give.osu.edu/myers. 

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