Eyeworld

12 | EYEWORLD | DECEMBER 2019 ASCRS NEWS don't think I've met anybody in my entire career who was so giving of his time," Dr. Osher said. Dr. Osher also emphasized the devotion Dr. Thornton had for ASCRS, serving as its president, teaching courses, and founding and then judging the Film Festival for three decades. "Spence just cared very much about ASCRS," Dr. Osher said. Outside of ophthalmology, Dr. Osher said Dr. Thornton enjoyed country music and was an experienced magician, practicing the craft on television shows, such as Johnny Carson, and writing books on the topic as well. He also described Dr. Thornton as "a very strong family man [and] a pillar of his community in Nash- ville" who was humble and never had a bad word to say about anybody. It was a privilege to be his friend." "A 'brother' to all who knew him" Stephen A. Obstbaum, MD, described Dr. Thornton as a caring person who made those who were in his presence feel special. "He was a 'brother' to all who knew him," Dr. Obstbaum said. Dr. Obstbaum recalled asking Dr. Thorn- ton to be ASCRS's representative to the Ameri- can National Standards Institute. "He embraced this position enthusiastically and ensured that our voice was heard on matters germane to cataract and refractive surgery." "My memories of Spence will include his endearing charm, his sincere manner, and his engaging warmth," Dr. Obstbaum said. "He was a cherished colleague and a friend. Spen- ce had a unique way of indicating that you had made it into the inner circle of his special club—the sterling silver collar tips. I'm certain that each of us, who have been the beneficiaries of this gift, even if they're not currently worn, will smile when we see them and remember the great guy who gave them to us." 'A role model for how to live a life as an ophthalmologist' Eric Donnenfeld, MD, described Dr. Thornton S pencer Thornton, MD, ASCRS pres- ident from 1997–1999, died on Oct. 26, 2019, in Nashville. Dr. Thornton was born on Sept. 16, 1929, earned his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University, his medical doctorate from Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University, and completed oph- thalmology residency at Vanderbilt University, according to his obituary published in the Tennessean. Dr. Thornton, in addition to leading AS- CRS during his tenure as president, is credited with starting the ASCRS Film Festival in 1982, which some doctors note spurred the creation of similar ophthalmic film festivals at other society meetings. Dr. Thornton was an early adopter of phacoemulsification, he developed many surgi- cal instruments and ideas, and published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and dozens of books and book chapters. He received several honors throughout his life, including the first ASCRS Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the 2019 Film Festival. In addition to his leadership as part of ASCRS, Dr. Thornton was active in the In- ternational Society of Refractive Surgery, the International Intra-Ocular Implant Club, the American College of Eye Surgeons, and the Hawaiian Eye Foundation. He was also involved with the Southern African Cataract and Refrac- tive Surgery Congress. Dr. Thornton is preceded in death by his wife Ginnie Thornton. He is survived by his children Steve (Fina), David, Cooper, and Beth Rader (David), as well as nine grandchildren, according to the Tennessean. 'Spence just cared very much about ASCRS' Robert Osher, MD, remembered Dr. Thornton as a teacher, innovator, family man, and friend. An early supporter of new methods in cat- aract surgery and refractive surgery, Dr. Osher said Dr. Thornton took the time to teach other ophthalmologists about these techniques. "I A tribute to Spencer Thornton, MD

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