Fine by name and by nature

On August 29th, ophthalmology lost one of its great leaders, Dr. I. Howard Fine died peacefully that evening surrounded by his family. He was 88.

Prof. Gerd Auffarth, Head of the David J Apple Laboratory, said: “I first met Howard when I worked with David Apple. He was an encouraging teacher and he went on to become an excellent leader for the ASCRS. Among his groundbreaking contributions were new techniques in lens injection, enhanced phaco techniques new incisional and clear corneal surgery techniques ”

Clinician and Clinical Investigator

Howard was from Boston (I learned that when I said I liked his New York accent.) Before Medical School, he’d studied mechanical engineering - and it was important to him that the scientific approach was maintained when he became an eye surgeon and clinical investigator. He made his surgery center at Eugene in Oregon the foremost investigational site for new cataract devices. In 2003 to 2006, he was a key investigator when Rayner initiated a clinical investigation of the Rayner Cflex lens. Howard Fine welcomed new lens designs and he supported Rayner’s return to the US market. 

A people person

Howard had time for conversation. He was interested in you, getting your news and views, how was your family and what are your plans. An expert at the wisecrack, but he used that to elevate people rather than belittle people. He was great friend to David Apple and especially a strong support to him when David was ill.

September 2005: left to right: Dick and Jaci Lindstrom, Howard and Vicky Fine, David and Ann Apple. Photo from the David Apple’s collection in the Archives of the David J. Apple® Center for Vision Research

We extend our deepest sympathy to his widow Vicky and their family, and to his colleagues in Eugene

Donald J Munro

Eulogy

We asked his friend and colleague, Dr Richard Hoffman, if we might use part of the eulogy he have at Howards funeral (standing-room-only), in that it is both touching and funny and Richard knew Howard so well..

Remembering Howard Fine 

I first met Howard Fine over 30 years ago. I was looking for a job in the Pacific northwest around the time Howard was considering hiring a partner. He responded to one of the many letters I sent out to practices in Oregon and stated that if I was ever in Eugene I should stop by and visit. My then fiancé, JoAnn, always dreamed of living in Eugene and she “strongly encouraged” me to respond to his invitation. I told him that just by coincidence I was going to be in Eugene the following week. He really wasn’t seriously looking  for a partner but eventually offered me a position which I gladly accepted.

Other than getting married to JoAnn and having children, it was the best decision that I have ever made in my life.

Howard was an incredible person. A great husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was a great clinician, researcher, and teacher. Besides being a great mentor to me, he was also a great friend…one of my best friends.

Howard taught me the finer things in life. He turned me on to fine watches, fine cigars, fine cars and pens… and, he taught me that vanilla ice cream should always be topped with Chambord liqueor. But these are all just material things that really don’t have much substance. A Rolex watch doesn’t give you a sense of purpose. A Cuban cigar doesn’t make you strive for excellence in your life. A Mercedes can’t make you laugh hysterically to the point of crying copiously after hearing a hilarious, inappropriate joke. But Howard could do and did do all of those things to me. He made me a better surgeon, a better clinician, a better parent, a better public speaker, and a much better and happier human being.

Howard was loved by everyone and loved everyone – our staff, our patients, world-wide ophthalmologists all respected and loved Howard Fine. And he was responsible for advancing the field of ophthalmology throughout the world. He is truly world-renowned.

And Howard loved the field of ophthalmology dearly. He has been known to claim that ophthalmology was like sex – stating that if you’re not enjoying it then you’re not doing it right. This is just one of dozens of  “Howie-isms” that his son Ed passed on to me with the promise that I would never share them with anyone. At the time, I said “who am I going to tell.” Most of these are too spicy for public consumption but I believe that I can share some of the tamer ones here.

Howard was a shaman and a magician – He “could make it rain by just thinking about going for a ride on his Harley”.

When patients asked how he was doing he would respond “I’m in great shape for the shape I’m in” or “If I were any better I’d be twins”.

*He was a food connoisseur, who “never met a calorie he didn’t like”.*

One of my favorite memories of Howie was the time I had the opportunity to have dinner out with him and Vicky at a steakhouse in Boston at an ASCRS meeting. When my ribeye came out it was fairly big but nothing in comparison to the porterhouse that Howie ordered. His steak was larger than my head, hanging over the edge of a large serving plate and at least 2-3 inches thick. It was humongous. I told him there was no way he was going to be able to finish it. But he proved me wrong stating “it was the best steak he’d had all day”. He might have even ordered dessert.

For my children, Howie was their stand-in grandfather. For me, Howard was a father figure. He taught me how to practice with care and the highest ethical standards. He would say that all you needed to be successful, truly successful, was to eat your Wheaties in the morning, go to work, and do the right thing. Just do the right thing. It was a simple formula for success that many physicians still struggle with. But every day I try to adhere to his teachings. And I owe him a debt for what he has done for me, both professionally and personally.

I believe if we continue to talk about him, tell the great stories about how he made us laugh and how he made us feel great just being around him…his memory will never die…

Richard Hoffman