Dr. David Lalonde Knox

Dr. David Lalonde Knox, a longtime ophthalmologist at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his north Baltimore home on February 1, 2022. He was 91.
He was born in Chicago in 1930, an only child to Harry Jobes Knox and Grace Lalonde Knox. He was raised by his mother, a social worker, and her parents, moving to Houston at age 10. He attended Lamar High School, Rice University for premed, and Baylor University for his medical degree.
Dr. Knox first came to Johns Hopkins as an intern in 1955, and then spent two years as an Army physician in Korea. He returned to Hopkins for his ophthalmology residency, and then concluded with a fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. He specialized in neuro-ophthalmology and uveitis. He had a particular interest in diagnosing difficult uveitis cases, and patients came from around the world to seek his opinion.
He had a deep love for Johns Hopkins and patient care, and practiced full time until the ripe age of 84. He continued to conduct research and attend department conferences until his final days. In the 1970s he served on the Medical School Admissions Committee, culminating in a 3 year term as Dean of Admissions. He was proudest of his involvement with the Frank B. Walsh Society, an annual neuro-ophthalmology meeting that he helped grow in size and stature from humble beginnings in the 1960s.
His Wilmer colleague and friend Dr. Peter Gehlbach recalled Dr. Knox as a gentleman with astonishing energy, prying curiosity, and an encyclopedic recall of patient details. "David delighted in the traditional doctor-patient relationship. He was an astute diagnostician, avid patient advocate, and constant supporter of new approaches to care." Following his retirement, Dr. Knox's patients would visit and recall having been treated by him-some many decades prior. He was always appreciated, respected, and held in the highest regard.
His son Benjamin Knox, an orthopedic spine surgeon, noted "Medicine was his mistress, but he was completely uncorrupted by careerism, research dollars, or Big Pharma influences. His honesty and dedication were an inspiration to me and many other aspiring physicians."
He married Linda Denny of Indianapolis and later Pasadena in 1958, and they had three children. An avid tennis player, he belonged to the L'Hirondelle Club for over 50 years. He also had a great love of antique British cars, growing roses, and reading. He is survived by his children, Dr. Benjamin Knox, of Johnson City TN, Mary Elspeth Knox of New York NY, and Lucinda Knox Herron of Brooklyn NY, and his grandchildren Micah Herron, Genevieve Herron, Abigail Knox, and Alexandra Knox.