DR. JACK RUNNINGER ENTERTAINED AND EDUCATED US FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS

AS WE went to press, we learned the sad news that William John “Jack” Runninger, O.D., the editor of Optometric Management (OM) from 1981 to 1989, had passed away. “Jack was a true pillar of optometry,” wrote Irving Bennett, O.D., in an email alerting us to the news. On behalf of the staff of OM, we offer our condolences to Jack’s family and friends. It is a loss we all share.

Most OM readers know Jack from “Lessons Learned,” his humorous column that entertained and educated, which appeared in OM until 2015. Jack retired from the column at the age of 91, thus ending a streak of writing for an optometric publication every month for 41 years. Jack wrote six books and more than 500 articles and columns. He was inducted into the AOA’s National Optometry Hall of Fame in 2006, one of many of his professional achievements. He wrote for his local paper, the Rome News-Tribune (R N-T), in Rome, Ga., for more than 30 years. (OM will publish a remembrance of Jack in the August issue.)

A PERSONAL NOTE OF THANKS

From my first days at OM, Jack was always happy to offer assistance, and he usually did so from behind the scenes. Through Jack, I met many of optometry’s leading minds, including Irvin Borish, O.D., the “Father of Modern Optometry” and the author of Clinical Refraction. Thank you, Jack, for your help, insights, laughter and friendship.

HUMOR IN EVERY SITUATION

Interestingly, one of Jack’s last works was his own obituary (see bit.ly/2se1IzW ). He weaves in his sharp sense of humor throughout, beginning with the opening lines: “I couldn’t resist writing one more column for RN-T, so I have composed my own obituary.” Later, he discloses his directions to Rev. Larry Caywood, who conducted his memorial service: “He has (been) instructed that the service is to last no longer than 29½ minutes!”

Jack could find humor in any situation. And that’s exactly how I will remember him. OM