Dr. Randy J. Epstein

This is sad news! Dr Epstein gave me hope when i had a complication after Lasik. He was a compassionate person. He will be missed by many.

I just learned today of the very very sad news of Randy´s passing. Please accept our most sincere condolences. We were most fortunate to be his patients and Friends.
Many will sorely miss him.
I personally held him in very high esteem and admired his many achievements. I remain most grateful for the surgeries he performed on us, and his gentlemanly and professional demeanor.
May your soul rest in peace dear Randy.
Carlos and Cathy Cabrera
Northbrook, Illinois

I was one of Randy's first patients in Highland Park and later in Chicago.
One day, I asked him to look at the date I started to see him. My folder was so thick, it was over 40 years old. He looked at the file number and realized I was one of the first! He always took good care of me through just normal examinations and cataract surgeries. We traveled the years together. He also took great care of my husband. We will always be grateful for his watchfulness over our eyes.
May his memory be for a blessing. Esther and Ronald Emmerman

As a former patient I will be forever grateful for Dr Epstein´s care. His kindness was just an addition to the BEST care. My condolences to the entire family. May God bless you with wonderful memories and sustaining peace. Sincerely, Marie Zuidema

Dear Linda, we were traveling and just leaned of Randy's sad passing. Our deepest condolences from our family to you and family. We will deeply miss Randy professionally and our personal friendship.

When my eyes started to fail I was in my mid 50´s. I am 86 now. Prior to my eyes beginning to fail Randi was a customer of mine at Highland Park Furs and a nicer person was not to found. It was natural that made an appointment with him for my eye problems. All these years later he remained my doctor until last year when he decided to take easier and made sure I continued to get the best of care with one of his associates. We always talked about our families. I had family working with me and he never more proud than when his daughter followed in his footsteps.

I just lost my brother in law a week ago at age 69. My heart and my sincere condolences goes out to his family. My wife and I will never forget him and I know he will be dearly missed by all whose life he touched.

Barry Saffrin

To Randy´s family. I knew your father for nearly 40 years and it is quite saddening that he has passed through this life. He was a great physician and I felt privileged to have worked with him. He will be missed by many, particularly in the ophthalmic community. I will continue to pray for you. God be with you.

Dear Linda, we are so saddened to learn of your loss. Randy was a wonderful doctor, an extraordinarily skilled surgeon, and just a great guy. Our paths crossed many times over the years, as he gave excellent care to my parents. But I'd never seen him happier than when you came into his life.
With deepest sympathy and concern, Mary Ann Childers.

Randy´s devotion to his career, family and loved ones was exemplary. I´m grateful to have benefited from his profound knowledge, thoughtfulness and kindness. The ophthalmic community has lost a great leader. May his memory forever be a blessing.

I was referred to him by one of my clients Dr. Hassan Najafi. He said Dr. Epstein was the doctor's doctor.

My deepest condolences to Dr. Epstein´s family, friends, colleagues, and all who were blessed by his skilled expertise and dedication to his life´s work. Dr. Randy Epstein and I had a uniquely rare doctor/client relationship, when I was only in high school, as he fought for four brutal long years to save my left eye from AK. With my deepest appreciation, thank you to his family for sharing their husband, father, son, uncle, sibling, friend, etc. during those years. I can´t even begin to explain the feeling of gratitude, and sadness, for Dr. Epstein, his family, and his practice. I hope he is happy and free from pain up there. Thank you, Dr. Randy Epstein for saving my vision and thank you Dr. Rachel Epstein for following in your father´s footsteps so his legacy of great care continues.

Sincerely,
Jackie Stillmaker Johnson

I went to school with Randee at Rush and at University of Illinois. We both grew up in Rogers Park. Randee was a good friend and an amazing big brother to me when I was in medical school. We ran several times together and 10k races. Randee will always have a place in my heart for the kindness that he always gave to me along the way

I´ve no Randy my entire career in ophthalmology, always passionate to talk about the science specifically regarding lens base type procedures. I always felt welcome in his practice and many times he would stop by while touring the floor of Academy meetings to say hello. My heart is so sad and my thoughts are with her entire Epstein family.

Memories of Randy and all the Epstein´s are cherished moments. From backyard BBQs to eye surgeries to the Olympics in Greece, we have enjoyed his wonderful family on many memorable occasions. Our heartfelt wishes go out to his entire family. He will be missed by our entire family. Take care of each other. Love, Lisa, Jim, Casey and Jordan

Heartfelt Condolences To The Family Of My Corneal Specialist Randy J Epstein.
Patient at Chicago Corneal
Rush Location For 15yrs.
*Heartfelt Memories

I have been a client of Dr. Randy Epstein´s since Dr. Sternberg retired in the 1980´s when I had a severe accident in the Grand Canyon involving chemical burns to my eyes.
I could not ask for a more knowledgeable doctor. I have continued to be a client of his throughout all these years. Dr. Randy will be truly missed.
Carole S. Rubens

I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Epstein´s passing! Dr. Epstein was so kind to me when I was a medical student at Rush - one of the many Rush attending physicians who shaped my medical training (and eventual decision to pursue ophthalmology). Sending much love to his family. Sincerely, Claire Wright (nee Kiernan)

I will miss Randy a lot. We had many conversations over the years on running our practices, interesting cases, incorporating new technology, friend stuff, and more. He had such a special way about him and was such a gentleman and great thinker. I loved his common sense, curiosity, how progressive he was, and his striving for excellence. I will miss him a lot and my heart goes out to his family, work family, and friends.
With great sincerity and respect,
Vance Thompson, MD

Randy was a wise and gracious mentor. When I had a challenging or unusual case, I was grateful for his thoughtful input. He was always available and generous with his advice. He was a brilliant clinician and will be deeply missed.

Dr. Randi J Epstein not only protected my eyes, but he also saved my life, thanks to his extraordinary skill and care in identifying tangential health issues. He will never be forgotten; his life will forever be a blessing to all those who were privileged to be his patient, friend, or family. With sincerest gratitude and profound sympathy. Diane Hornstein

My name is Sharon Rosman. I met Randy when I was 15 years old, and he was my FIRST boyfriend. He was the best first boyfriend a girl could ever ask for! Even at age 15, Randy was very mature, sensitive, intelligent, and just really nice. And let´s not forget handsome! All my girlfriends were jealous! After a while we both realized we were meant to be friends, and we have been ever since. I treasure the lifelong friendship we have shared. I will miss Randy terribly, but I will always have the best memories.
I want to extend my deepest condolences to Bonita and Ilene, as well as his lovely wife Linda and his three beautiful children. We are all so lucky to have had him in our lives.

I first met Randy when I moved to Chicago to start working at the Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary in 1987. As a fellow cornea surgeon, we struck up an immediate professional and personal friendship. He was always impeccably collegial, always willing to help and lend guidance. Eventually, I left the Infirmary and started a cornea and refractive practice in Hoffman Estates, the Illinois Cornea Center. At that time, Randy was instrumental in personally getting me involved with the Rush Department of Ophthalmology. When I took an offered position at the Cleveland Clinic, I was fortunate to have Randy incorporate my practice into his Chicago Cornea Consultants. Not surprisingly, he (and eventually Dr. Majmudar) made my little practice wildly successful. As our geographic paths eventually diverged, Randy and I managed to maintain a good professional and personal relationship. My wife and I were shocked and saddened to learn of his passing and he will be truly missed by his family, friends, patients, the Rush medical community, and the wider ophthalmology world.

Thank you for allowing me to attend Randy´s funeral service. The eulogies given by his children, Rachel, Sarah and Josh were beautiful tributes that humanized their father and helped inform my impression of the dapper, smiling, organized and well-coiffed person I remember.

I have known Randy since Sullivan High School and then we were classmates at Rush Medical School. When we wanted the best ophtho to do my husband's eye surgery, it was Randy.
Always smiling. Condolences to his family. He will be missed.

Demetra K Soter MD

Sending deepest condolences may his name be a blessing
Helen and Michael Melnick

So sorry to hear. As a corneal colleague, I often interacted with Randy. He was an absolute gentleman, a great listener and always offered great pearls of advice. Deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family. Sheraz and Marcela Daya

My condolences to the Epstein family and many friends and employees of the Chicago Cornea Consultants. Russell Vitaliano

Randy Epstein was a wonderful doctor and my husbands frat brother....who I trusted with a complicated lasic followed by two "unusual" cataract surgeries. His steady hands and quiet nature were so reassuring. He was a fine doctor and will be missed.

So sorry to hear about Randy´s passing. He was always such a pleasant guy to talk to back in the day and at the health club. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Noreen and Gary Friedman

I am an ophthalmologist in Los Angeles, and I have enjoyed a 30+ year professional relationship with Randy. We would discuss new technologies and difficult patients. If I needed to refer someone who lived in Chicago, I knew exactly who to send them to. Randy was always a gentleman and a pleasure to interact with.

Dr. Epstein performed cataract surgery November 21, 2024 for my left eye and informed me he would be opting out of Medicare. Needless to say I was disappointed. At my post op visit December 23rd he then informed me he was extending Medicare in 2025 for a few patients including myself. I was so happy, however a few days later I received a call
Dr. Epstein would be out of the office with no return date. I so hoped he would be OK and was devastated when I learned of his passing.
He was a great doctor and kind and caring person.
Our condolences to his wife, children and grandchildren.
Theresa and Stewart Strizak

Randy was a good friend. An excellent surgeon and a very caring physician. May his memory be a blessing.
David Orth MD

I had a privilege working with Dr.Epstein at Highland Park Hospital OR for over 15 years assisting during surgeries. He was an excellent surgeon and will be missed. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Linda, so sorry to hear about Randy. We will miss him as a friend and neighbor. Our condolences to you and your family.

Carol and Brian Brownstein

Randy was always a kind and gracious colleague . He always returned my calls enthusiastically when I needed help with a patient, He will be missed,

Seth Kaplan MD

Linda, my sincerest condolences to you and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Lisa McGuirt

To Linda Katz, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Love
Kim Frankel

Randy was my classmate at Rush.
I am so sorry for your loss Linda and family.
I will always remember his smile and his upbeat energy. May his memory be a blessing.
Margie Rosenbaum

Dr. Epstein was an excellent doctor. He was my doctor for 15 years. He performed my cornea transplants. He was always compassionate, patient, understanding and professional at all visits. The cornea medical specialty has loss a remarkable doctor. Prayers and deepest condolences to the family.

Honoring a mentor whose steady hands and thoughtful words shaped the surgeon I strive to be. His influence endures in every physician he trained and the hundreds of thousands of patients we now serve. May his memory be a blessing.

I was a classmate of Randy´s at Rush Medical College. I remember him as a brilliant student and resident who was both popular and energetic. He always seemed to be in good humor and inspired those around him. His achievements since graduation are impressive but not surprising to those who knew him.
He has contributed greatly to ophthalmology
and to Rush and has gone too soon. My sincerest condolences to his wife and family.

Martha Wiedman, M.D., Rush `80

I was deeply saddened to learn of Randy´s passing. He was a gifted ophthalmologist, a thoughtful and generous colleague, and a devoted family man. His dedication to his patients and his willingness to share knowledge touched so many of us. May his memory be a blessing.

I went to high school with Randy and we both worked at Rush. My deepest condolences to the family.

Excellent surgeon. The ultimate professional. Very kind man. My vision is perfect because of his skill. How sad to lose such a valuable presence.

One of my classmates, Rush class of 1980. So sad to hear this. May his memory be a blessing.

Randy was a wonderful neighbor and a kind, compassionate, and brilliant doctor. My sincere condolences to his family. He leaves a outstanding legacy. May his memory be a blessing.

Dear Linda, I´m sorry & sending my deepest condolences

There are no words to express our feelings of loss. We loved Dr. Epstein, and will always remember him as not only brilliant, but as a kind, compassionate soul who changed so many lives. May he rest in peace knowing he was loved.

I sat next to Randy in division 213 at Sullivan high for 4 years.
I heard that he was an outstanding eye doctor
May he rest in peace

What a shock. Randy was a wonderful man. Warm, passionate and empathetic. He was a mensch and I will miss him. Rest in peace my friend. Sincerely, Neal Strom

I´ve had the pleasure of knowing Randy for the last 30 years, both as an employer and a friend.
I can say without hesitation I would not be where I am in my career today without an incredible mentor like him.

Randy was an amazing surgeon, but his authenticity and tenacity is what stands out the most. To say he was a driven individual would be an understatement. He always appreciated what others did for him , and he would go out of his way to let others know. A rare quality.

I will always have the utmost respect ,and a great deal of admiration for him. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Heaven gained a beautiful soul.

My deepest sympathies go out to his family during this difficult time.

Sending prayers

Sincerely
Joyce Wolter