Robert William Panton M.D.

Robert W. Panton, M.D. (March 20, 1961 – February 22, 2026) passed away after a valiant ten-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. Dr. Panton grew up in the Chicago metropolitan area and graduated Oak Park-River Forest High School as the class valedictorian. He attended Brown University graduating in 1983 with Phi Beta Kappa honors and a combined B.A./B.S. He continued his studies at the Brown University School of Medicine graduating in 1986 with an M.S. in pharmacology and an M.D. Dr. Panton served his internship in internal medicine at the University of Chicago (1986-1987) and his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary (1987-1990). Dr. Panton completed his professional education with a corneal transplantation fellowship at the Wilmer Institute of Johns Hopkins University (1990-1991).

Dr. Panton joined his late father (John H. Panton, M.D.), his brother (Peter J. Panton, M.D.), and his sister (Elizabeth Panton Karkazis, O.D.) in practice in 1991. Dr. Panton was affiliated with the Panton Eye Center for the next thirty-five years. Dr. Panton was certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and was a Fellow of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Panton was a member of the medical staffs of Rush Oak Park Hospital, Gottlieb-Loyola Hospital, West Suburban Hospital, and Westlake Community Hospital.

Dr. Panton was active in multiple professional societies including the Chicago Ophthalmological Society, the Illinois Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Chicago Medical Society (CMS), the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) and the American Medical Association. Dr. Panton served as president of both CMS (2012-2013) and ISMS (2020-2021). Dr. Panton's ISMS presidency intersected the peak of the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Panton assisted Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in formulating the state's pandemic strategy. Dr. Panton's monthly columns in the ISMS Journal kept Illinois doctors informed with the rapidly evolving science and the constantly changing health policy response.

Dr. Panton and his family endowed professorships at both the Brown University School of Medicine and the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Panton and his family also underwrote the anatomy laboratory at Brown and the waiting room at the University of Illinois Department of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Panton was a strong supporter of youth sports. The Panton Eye Center was a longtime sponsor of River Forest Youth Baseball and Softball. Dr. Panton also coached youth baseball and basketball.

Dr. Panton is survived by his wife, Marika; his three children: Jonathan J.D., James, and Zoe; his brothers: Dr. Peter (Estelle) and Evans (Laura); and his sister, Dr. Elizabeth (Dr. Frank) Karkazis.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Salerno Galewood Chapel, 1857 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral service 10:00 a.m.at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 2501 S. Wolf Road, Westchester. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Please omit flowers, donations to Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, Westchester, IL., Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL., and St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church (Rockford, IL.) Arrangements by NICHOLAS M. PISHOS FUNERAL DIRECTOR, LTD. (Hellenic Funeral Service), Info: 847-833-9522