FREDERICK WILLIAM STOCKER, MD
BY Samuel D. McPherson, Jr., MD
FREDERICK WILLIAM STOCKER DIED AFTER AN ILLNESS OF SEVERAL MONTHS ON
June 5, 1974, in Durham, North Carolina. He was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, October 14, 1893, the son of a well known Swiss ophthalmologist. He attended the public schools of Lucerne, the University of Geneva, and received the M. D. degree from' the University of Bern in 1917. The years of his ophthalmic training were spent at the University Eye Clinic in Munich with Professor Hess and the University Eye Clinic in Bern with Professor Siegrist. He practiced many years in Lucerne and became President of the Swiss Ophthalmological Society. In 1941, Dr Stocker immigrated to the United States and worked at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University and the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. In 1942, he joined the staff of McPherson Hospital where he practiced for 32 years. He also served as Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke University and Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina. During World War II he was chairman of the International Medical Commission for examination of prisoners of war in the United States and Canada under the Geneva Convention. In addition to memberships in the usual local and state societies, Dr Stocker was a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He was a member of the American Ophthalmological Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Societe' Francaise d'Ophtalmologie, Ophthalmological Society of Panama (honorary member), Colombian Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (corresponding member), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr Stocker first reported successful penetrating keratoplasty for Fuchs' dystrophy and developed a large practice in corneal surgery. His primary interest remained in anterior segment surgery and is reflected in his publications which number over 100. His thesis for the American Ophthalmological Society, "The Corneal Endothelium and its Clinical Implications," was published as a monograph and has been a popular reference work for many years.
Necrology
11
The move in middle years to a new country would be a trying experience for most, but for Dr Stocker it was simply another challenge which he accepted cheerfully. He rapidly integrated himself into American life and made a very real place for himself in this community.' As befitted a Swiss, mountain climbing and later hiking were his golf and tennis. He was a man of varied interests in literature, music, and art. He was the author of "Arnold Munzinger, Painter-Industrialist." He was married to Mary Anne Steiner of Malters, Switzerland on August 1, 1929, and is survived by Mrs. Stocker and three daughters. Dr Stocker was a dedicated and stimulating teacher who made a major impact on the careers of those young men who were fortunate enough to work with him. His loss is deeply felt by his community, his church, his friends, and his colleagues.
BY Samuel D. McPherson, Jr., MD
FREDERICK WILLIAM STOCKER DIED AFTER AN ILLNESS OF SEVERAL MONTHS ON
June 5, 1974, in Durham, North Carolina. He was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, October 14, 1893, the son of a well known Swiss ophthalmologist. He attended the public schools of Lucerne, the University of Geneva, and received the M. D. degree from' the University of Bern in 1917. The years of his ophthalmic training were spent at the University Eye Clinic in Munich with Professor Hess and the University Eye Clinic in Bern with Professor Siegrist. He practiced many years in Lucerne and became President of the Swiss Ophthalmological Society. In 1941, Dr Stocker immigrated to the United States and worked at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University and the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. In 1942, he joined the staff of McPherson Hospital where he practiced for 32 years. He also served as Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke University and Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina. During World War II he was chairman of the International Medical Commission for examination of prisoners of war in the United States and Canada under the Geneva Convention. In addition to memberships in the usual local and state societies, Dr Stocker was a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He was a member of the American Ophthalmological Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Societe' Francaise d'Ophtalmologie, Ophthalmological Society of Panama (honorary member), Colombian Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology (corresponding member), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr Stocker first reported successful penetrating keratoplasty for Fuchs' dystrophy and developed a large practice in corneal surgery. His primary interest remained in anterior segment surgery and is reflected in his publications which number over 100. His thesis for the American Ophthalmological Society, "The Corneal Endothelium and its Clinical Implications," was published as a monograph and has been a popular reference work for many years.
Necrology
11
The move in middle years to a new country would be a trying experience for most, but for Dr Stocker it was simply another challenge which he accepted cheerfully. He rapidly integrated himself into American life and made a very real place for himself in this community.' As befitted a Swiss, mountain climbing and later hiking were his golf and tennis. He was a man of varied interests in literature, music, and art. He was the author of "Arnold Munzinger, Painter-Industrialist." He was married to Mary Anne Steiner of Malters, Switzerland on August 1, 1929, and is survived by Mrs. Stocker and three daughters. Dr Stocker was a dedicated and stimulating teacher who made a major impact on the careers of those young men who were fortunate enough to work with him. His loss is deeply felt by his community, his church, his friends, and his colleagues.
