Robert Alfred Schimek

He restored sight to the sightless. Thousands were given back their vision thanks to the pioneering surgical techniques of Dr. Robert Alfred Schimek M.D. The former director of the Ochsner Eye Clinic, he practiced medicine with a specialty in surgical Ophthalmology for almost sixty-five years. Dr. Robert Schimek's personal medical mission efforts in Central America and around the world quite literally restored the eyes of countless patients. Born May 1, 1926 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania to German and Hungarian immigrants Hugo and Wilma, he completed his undergraduate studies at Franklin and Marshall College at the age of 19. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Robert Schimek would attend medical school at Johns Hopkins University. Upon completing a fellowship at the Wilma Eye Institute, he worked on several medical staffs including the Ford Hospital in Detroit. Recruited by Dr. Alton Ochsner to start the ophthalmology program at his hospital, Schimek would relocate to New Orleans, becoming one of its most prominent citizens, a patron of the Opera, a member of multiple clubs as well as several carnival organizations, reigning as monarch of two. Professionally, he served as President Eye Study Club as well as a member of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Schimek was also an avid aviator, owning and piloting several airplanes. He was an enthusiastic golfer as well, never happier on Christmas morning than on the links of New Orleans Country Club with his two sons, or looking out on the waters of Lake Pontchartrain from his perch at the Southern Yacht Club. In 1978, Robert Schimek met violinist and New Orleans native Denise Marie Villere'. They were just shy of their 39th wedding anniversary, when in the pre-dawn hours of November 4, 2018, Dr. Schimek breathed his last. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons Robert and Alan, his granddaughter Jennifer and his great-grandson William. He was predeceased by his daughter, Amy Schimek. Buried in his beloved lab coat in Lakelawn Mausoleum at a private family funeral, on the eve of Veterans Day to the sound of Taps with full military honors, Dr. Schimek left us after an extraordinary life of 92 years. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Southern Eye Bank in Bob's honor. (https://southerneyebank.org/contributions/). To view and sign the Funeral Guest Book online, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.