Poland, Jerome Dumont "Jerry" age 75 of Bay Lake Township, MN, passed away on Friday, September 20th, 2013 from injuries sustained from an automobile accident. He was born on January 13, 1938 in Bottineau, ND. Dr. Poland received his medical degree in 1966 from the University of Minnesota. He interned at Stanford University in California, and completed his residency in aerospace medicine at the U.S. Naval Aerospace Institute in Pensacola, FL. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota in 1974. He founded the First Eye Care Center in Bloomington, MN and later the Crosby Eye Clinic in Crosby, MN. Dr. Poland was a pioneer in developing contact lenses, an investigator for intraocular lens implants, and owned the first approved laser for refractive surgery in the state. Jerry served as a clinical professor of the University of Minnesota Medical School for 40 years. He was active in the local community serving on various boards including Kinship Partners, Central Lakes College Foundation and the Cuyuna Lakes Bike Trail Committee. He served on the University of Minnesota Department of Visual and Neurosciences Development Advisory Committee. He was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing. He married Meredith Picha in 1960. Jerry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife, Meredith; son, Jerry (Dawn) Poland; daughter, Suzi (Ian) Noetzel; foster son, Di (Huong Huot) Chau; grandchildren, Alex and Rose Poland, Elly and Sopia Noetzel; Anthony, Amanda and Stephanie Huot; stepmother, Carrie Poland; siblings, Sharon Horton, Stuart (Pat) McBeath, Judy (Ron) Barrett and Bob (Joyce) McBeath; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Lowell Poland; mother, Aretha Lloyd; sister, Michelle Knowles and brother, Lowell Poland Jr. He touched the hearts of all who met him and though he is gone too soon, we're grateful to have had him in our lives. Funeral services will be held 3 pm on Sunday, September, 29, 2013 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby. Burial will be at the Bay Lake Cemetery in Bay Lake Township. Friends may call on Sunday from 1 pm until time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Poland-Finke Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology Fund #20139. Online at http://www.give.umn.edu/giveto/ or by mail to University of Minnesota Foundation, PO Box 860266 Minneapolis, MN 55486-0266 or to the Bay Lake Environmental Fund. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
