Truhlsen, Stanley M., M.D.

November 13, 1920 - December 23, 2021

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Stanley Marshall Truhlsen M.D., retired Ophthalmologist, and renowned local philanthropist, died peacefully on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at the age of 101. "Doc", as he was affectionately known by his family, was a man of integrity, strength, courage and compassion. Doc's commitment to serve others and lend support to his community was a cornerstone of his life.

Born in Herman, Nebraska on November 13, 1920, to Lola and Henry "Spike" Truhlsen, Stanley exhibited a keen mind and learned many life-lessons as a young boy. He was a proud member of the Herman High School basketball team and enjoyed working in his father's hardware store.

He often said he was reared to help his hometown and give back in order to make it better. His adult life was focused on doing just that. His generosity can be seen throughout the Omaha community at the Durham Western Heritage Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Henry Doorly Zoo, Lauritzen Gardens, the VA Hospital and most especially the UNMC campus where The Truhlsen Eye Institute stands as an enduring example of his career, altruism and commitment to the study and advancement of eye care.

Stan studied at the University of Nebraska where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1941. He graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and following his service in the US Army, he traveled to Albany, New York to begin a residency in pathology and bacteriology at Albany Hospital. At Albany, he developed an interest in the human eye and the effects of disease and trauma, which spawned his decision to specialize in ophthalmology. Stan practiced for nearly 50 years in Omaha and was involved nationally with the American Academy of Ophthalmology where he was editor for their Transactions publication for five years and became President of the Academy in 1983. He was the 100th President of the American Ophthalmological Society in 1996 and was bestowed the Howe Medal in 2001. The American Academy of Ophthalmology's Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye

Stan Truhlsen's many achievements, while admirable, do not tell the whole story of a life well-lived. Though he was often honored for his accomplishments, Stan walked with great humility. His legacy will be one marked with incredible optimism. One could count on Stan for a good laugh and a contagious positive, cheerful demeanor. Even near the end of his life, he was always kind, gracious and grateful to his caregivers

Stan was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Haney Truhlsen; son, Stanley M. Truhlsen, Jr.; his second wife, Dorothy Johnson; sister, Marion Holmes. He is survived by sister, Jodie Johns; son, William Truhlsen (Joan); daughters, Nancy Brager (John) and Barbara Mitchell (Peter); grandchildren: Yancy Brager Baker, Alison Brager Keller, Erin Brager Zanotti, Jennifer Mitchell, Jon Brager; step-grandson, Matt Winingham; 13 great-grandchildren.

The VISITATION of Stanley M. Truhlsen, M.D. will be held at Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler Mortuary on Friday, January 7, 2022, 5pm to 7pm. FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, January 8th, at 11am at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Avenue. A Reception will be held immediately following the Service. For those who desire, memorials may be sent to the Truhlsen Eye Institute (nufoundation.org/truhlsen), or Dundee Presbyterian Church.

HEAFEY-HOFFMANN-DWORAK-CUTLER West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd. 402-391-3900

Published in the Pilot-Tribune January 4, 2022

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Stanley Marshall Truhlsen M.D., retired Ophthalmologist, and renowned local philanthropist, died peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 23rd at the age of 101. “Doc”, as he was affectionately known by his family, was a man of integrity, strength, courage and compassion. Doc’s commitment to serve others and lend support to his community was a cornerstone of his life. Born in Herman on Nov. 13, 1920, to Lola and Henry “Spike” Truhlsen, Stanley exhibited a keen mind and learned many life-lessons as a young boy. He was a proud member of the Herman High School basketball team and enjoyed working in his father’s hardware store.

He often said he was reared to help his hometown and give back in order to make it better. His adult life was focused on doing just that. His generosity can be seen throughout the Omaha community at the Durham Western Heritage Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Henry Doorly Zoo, Lauritzen Gardens, the VA Hospital and most especially the UNMC campus where The Truhlsen Eye Institute stands as an enduring example of his career, altruism and commitment to the study and advancement of eye care.

Stan studied at the University of Nebraska where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1941. He graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and following his service in the US Army, he traveled to Albany, N.Y. to begin a residency in pathology and bacteriology at Albany Hospital. At Albany, he developed an interest in the human eye and the effects of disease and trauma, which spawned his decision to specialize in ophthalmology. Stan practiced for nearly 50 years in Omaha and was involved nationally with the American Academy of Ophthalmology where he was editor for their Transactions publication for five years and became President of the Academy in 1983. He was the 100th President of the American Ophthalmological Society in 1996 and was bestowed the Howe Medal in 2001. The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye in San Francisco offers the public unique interactive exhibits dedicated to the science of vision and eye care.

Stan Truhlsen’s many achievements, while admirable, do not tell the whole story of a life well-lived. Though he was often honored for his accomplishments, Stan walked with great humility. His legacy will be one marked with incredible optimism. One could count on Stan for a good laugh and a contagious positive, cheerful demeanor. Even near the end of his life, he was always kind, gracious and grateful to his caregivers for even the smallest of gestures. He and his family will be forever grateful to the great staff of caregivers in the last few years.

Stan was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Haney Truhlsen; son, Stanley M. Truhlsen, Jr.; his second wife, Dorothy Johnson; sister, Marion Holmes. He is survived by sister, Jodie Johns; son, William Truhlsen (Joan); daughters, Nancy Brager (John) and Barbara Mitchell (Peter); grandchildren: Yancy Brager Baker, Alison Brager Keller, Erin Brager Zanotti, Jennifer Mitchell, Jon Brager; step-grandson, Matt Winingham; 13 great-grandchildren.

The visitation of Stanley M. Truhlsen, M.D. will be held at Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler Mortuary on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, 5 -7 p.m. The funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 8th at 11 a.m. at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Avenue. A reception will be held immediately following the service. For those who desire, memorials may be sent to the Truhlsen Eye Institute (nufoundation.org/truhlsen) or Dundee Presbyterian Church.

Arranged by: HEAFEY-HOFFMANN-DWORAK-CUTLER West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd. 402-391-3900 www.heafeyheafey.com

Published in the Omaha World Herald January 4, 2022

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When he was 10 years old, Stanley Truhlsen drove his father’s 1929 Chevy pickup truck to farms around Washington County, delivering orders placed with the family hardware store in Herman, Nebraska.

“He was always a busy person, even as a child,” said son Bill Truhlsen of Omaha.

The elder Truhlsen, a retired ophthalmologist and local philanthropist, died at his home on Dec. 23. He was 101. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Ave.

Key among his philanthropic efforts is the eye institute that bears his name, which opened in 2013 near 40th and Leavenworth Streets. Patients are treated at the institute, and new ophthalmologists are trained there.

“That’s an important part of carrying on my chosen profession,” Truhlsen told a World-Herald reporter in 2020. “It’s very satisfying.”

“Stan was a giant on this campus,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gold, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “He continued to be active and interested in UNMC and was instrumental in elevating UNMC to where it is today.

“He was so very proud of the eye institute that bears his name and particularly of the high quality of education, research and care that occurs every day. We are saddened by his passing and grateful for his generosity.”

A professor emeritus and former chairman of UNMC’s ophthalmology department, Truhlsen grew up during the Great Depression. After graduating from Herman High School, Truhlsen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1941.

Because of World War II, Truhlsen’s Nebraska College of Medicine class was the first to finish in three years. He served in the U.S. Army as a medical officer and began his residency in pathology and bacteriology at Albany (New York) Hospital.

It was in Albany that he developed an interest in the human eye and the effects of disease and trauma, his son said. Truhlsen completed a residency in ophthalmology at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.

In college, he met and began dating Ruth Haney, whom he would marry in 1943. Her father was Dr. W.P. Haney, an Omaha ophthalmologist. Dr. Truhlsen practiced for nearly 50 years in Omaha and was involved nationally with the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He became president of the academy in 1983. He was the 100th president of the American Ophthalmological Society in 1996.

During his tenure, Truhlsen participated in the launch of the National Eye Care Program. The program brought together 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists nationwide who provide no-cost care for needy elderly people.

He and Dr. Michael Marmor later founded the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye in San Francisco, dedicated to the science of vision and eye care.

Truhlsen enjoyed giving back to the community. That included providing support for such Omaha institutions as the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Durham Museum, as well as several initiatives at UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.

In the last five or six years of his life, Truhlsen was always gracious and grateful to his home caregivers for even the smallest of gestures, his son said.

“He was a kind and thoughtful gentleman to his caregivers at home,” Bill Truhlsen said. “To a person, they were grieving and saddened by his death. He was always regaling them with stories from the 1930s and ‘40s.”

Truhlsen was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Haney Truhlsen; son Stanley M. Truhlsen Jr.; his second wife, Dorothy Johnson; and sister Marion Holmes of Greeley, Colorado. In addition to his son, he is survived by a sister, Jodie Johns of Omaha; daughters Nancy Brager of Lincoln and Barbara Mitchell of Dallas; five grandchildren; a step-grandson; and 13 great-grandchildren.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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