Travis Ashby Meredith Jr

Travis Ashby Meredith, Jr., MD, age 84, of Ft. Myers, Florida, passed away peacefully. Born in Welch, West Virginia, he lived a life marked by intellectual curiosity, resilience, and deep devotion to family.

Dr. Meredith is survived by his beloved wife, Karen, and his children, Randy Meredith, Jeremy Meredith, and Bennett Lareau.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and his medical degree from Johns Hopkins Medical School. He completed his internship at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, followed by a residency in ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins and a fellowship in retinal vitreous surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Dr. Meredith devoted his career to academic medicine, holding positions at several distinguished institutions, including his alma maters, Emory Medical School, and Washington University. His career culminated in his role as Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Widely admired and deeply respected, he received numerous awards and was revered by colleagues, students, and patients alike for his skill, leadership, and commitment to advancing his field.

A man of remarkable determination, Dr. Meredith continually sought to improve himself and broaden his understanding of the world. He overcame profound early hardships, including the loss of his mother and brothers at the age of twelve, with resilience and strength that defined his life. In later years, he faced Parkinson's disease with courage and discipline, never missing a day of exercise-even while traveling.

Known for his sharp wit, he had a gift for delivering the perfect joke at just the right moment. Outside of medicine, he enjoyed tennis, skiing, playing bridge, and music-especially the drums and guitar. He was also a devoted fan of Tar Heel basketball.

Above all, he cherished his family. He shared a deep and enduring love with his wife, whom he affectionately called his "eternal valentine."

Those wishing to honor Travis's life may make a donation in his memory to the Michael J Fox Parkinson's Foundation (https://give.michaeljfox.org > donate), which is supporting important research in the field.