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Charles D. Kelman

Charles Kelman Obituary

KELMAN-Charles D. The NY Intraocular Lens Implant Society will sorely miss the legendary leader of our generation who revolutionized ophthalmology, and in doing so liberated our growing senior population from blindness due to cataracts. He single-handedly developed a method of cataract removal that made a tedious hospital procedure fraught with complications into an ambulatory operation allowing almost immediate full recovery. As a founding member of the NYILIS, he helped develop plastic lenses that could be placed inside the eye to replace the cataractous lens. The societal impact of this feat is monumental as it mobilizes a vast population that would otherwise be severely visually handicapped. Charlie also had a joyous lifestyle from virtuoso saxophonist, helicopter pilot, champion golfer, but most of all a loving husband to Ann and a devoted father. He played a major role as a teacher and traveled the world simplifying complicated concepts and generously sharing his genius with worldwide ophthalmology. He was a courageous innovator and has been honored by many ophthalmic societies. He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues.

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Published by New York Times on Jun. 4, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Kelman

15 Entries

Chandrappa Reshmi, M.D.

July 2, 2004

Dear Kelman family,

My sincere heartfelt condolences.

Dr. Kelman revolutionized cataract surgical technique for the good of mankind. I am sure the doctors and patients around the world are ever grateful to him for his gift-"Phacoemulsification".

I would suggest to rename it and call it now onwards "Kelmanfication".

Barbara Jennings

June 15, 2004

From: TROUGH MY EYES

by Charles D. Kelman, M.D.

“With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable" T.F. Buxton

This idea chosen and expressed by Charley was his mantra. But looking back, my impression is that Charley was much more than ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance. Perhaps the mantra was a bit curtailed. After all, the book was written two decades ago when he was (?) preparing for middle age which never came. He seemed so wonderfully ageless. This story of his life in print is a masterpiece of mix: joy and sorrow, tears and laughter, trial and error, high and low, private agony, professional struggle, public ecstasy, endless recognition.

But the main thing is courage-a quality brand; polished with poise of course, but I would say, solid as a rock, hewn with energy, flair, intellect, curiosity, and (no pun intended), vision! Maybe courage worked as a prism resulting in his rainbowed life. A beginning. An end. But in between: spans and bands of shimmering time and light: family, friends, colleagues, fun, surgery, music, performance, publishing, mentoring, Broadway, sport, travel, research, invention, design. All this was easy, seamless, the edges invisibly blurred.

His reach was extended, ever ready, always high. His touch to lives- whether in brief or at length- was electric, magnetic, and by all means magic. His loss leaves a blank, some indescribable void, a disconcerting chill, a long measured pause, a sigh of respect, add another sigh for gratitude. Enter silence. Enter sadness. “His absence must be the next form of his being felt forever.” (Rilke) …. Expressing heartfelt sympathy to each and every Kelman family member. May it comfort you to know that I cannot feel this sense of loss is mine or yours alone. Indeed, it must apply to anyone and everyone who has ever met Charles D.Kelman, M.D.

Barbara Jennings, Orthoptist

David J. Kelman Foundation, E. 58th St. NYC

John Weisel M.D.

June 12, 2004

Thanks Charlie, for all you did for Ophthalmology, one of the "greats" of our profession.

Beatrice Rosenbaum

June 9, 2004

I had the privilege of working for Dr.Kelman for 20 years in an administrative capacity. I will forever be grateful to Dr. Kelman for giving me this opportunity. Dr. Kelman was blessed with a special talent and skill that he used to help mankind. His phacoemulsification procedure revolutionized the cataract profession and helped innumerable numbers of people. He taught this technique to thousands of physicians over the years, thereby ensuring that more and more patients would benefit. Dr. Kelman was a unique man -- he was a physician, musician, author, songwriter, playwright, golfer, pilot, producer, and teacher. But nore importantly, he was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to so many. May time heal those hurting now and may they know no further sorrow. May

G-d rest his soul.

Lou Mark

June 8, 2004

Sometime in the middle '70s, I travelled to NYC from Washington, D.C. to take Dr. Kelman's phaco course. After watching him operate all morning with a group of other ophthalmologists at Freeport (L.I.) Hospital, he announced that he had three seats available in his helicopter for anyone who wanted a ride back to the city. We picked straws and I got to ride "shotgun" with Charley. A short time before I had spent two years as an Army Flight Surgeon at a helicopter school in Texas and had gotten to fly with many excellent pilots who had flown in Viet Nam. But the flight I took with Charley was one of the best I ever had. We made a brief stop at his home in Old Westbury and then flew directly over the control tower at LaGuardia Airport and down the East River. Charley carefully landed his aircraft on a very small "skid" on the heliport which extended out over the river. We all got out and the chopper was pulled away on the skid. I was very impressed that he had been able to land on such a small target but he did it as if it was routine. On our taxicab trip back up town Charley got out at his office and we continued on to MEENTH. I'll never forgot that ride with him, or the time my wife and I watched him "jam" with his friends at some club in New Orleans during an Academy meeting five or six years ago. And I'll always connect the word "serendipity" to his lecture I heard him give during that meeting.

Although I was only a resident at the time at one of D.C. institutions, I remember how shocked I was to hear the then chairman of the Wilmer Institute chastize Charley and the phaco procedure during a Resident's Day meeting. I can only imagine what perseveration it took for him to see phaco through to the end without wavering.

Although I did not know him personally, I wanted to pay my respects and attended his funeral. How eloquent, how touching, how uplifting it was. What a life to emulate!

Richard Shugarman

June 7, 2004

I will always remember Charlie for his kindness and his smile. He never hesitated to say hello to a friend or help out when he was needed.

I will always respect Charlie. He was not afraid to swim against the stream and stand up for what he thought was right.

He taught me that greatness meant not being bound by the clothes of convention and never giving up because the task was difficult.

His life was special, he was a Renaissance Man.

Dick Shugarman

Israel Rozenberg

June 6, 2004

Dr. Kelman will always be remebered by his Brazilian peers as an example of how far an high can a brigth mind reach .

Stuart E. Hirsch MD

June 5, 2004

Charlie revolutionized ophthalmology with his contributions to ophthalmic surgery. He taught decades of ophthalmoligists new surgical techniques and helped humanity through his efforts. He taught us how to think out of the box. He single handedly changed the disablity caused by cataracts by developing a user friendly technique creating excellent visual results. Charles Kelman M.D. will not be forgotten as a physician, humanitarian, and musician. I will always be gratefull for his mentoring..

JEANNE & RICHARD SPRING

June 5, 2004

CHARLIE REPRESENTED SO MANY THINGS TO SO MANY--THE SPRING FAMILY IS VERY PRIVILEGED TO HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY THEM ALL. HIS "LUCKY STAR" DID INDEED AND ALWAYS WILL SHINE ON US. HE CERTAINLY MADE OUR WORLD BRIGHTER AND HAPPIER. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LEGACY. THANK YOU CHARLIE!

June 4, 2004

I did not know Dr. Kelman, but I do know the pain his loved ones are feeling. Please know that, "Precious in the eyes of the LORD GOD is the death of his loyal ones." Offering my sincere sympathy.

Betsy Silverfine

June 4, 2004

Our deepest sympathies go out to you, Ann and your family. I hope that you gather strength from those around you.

Betsy Silverfine, Ethel & Ed Silverfine, Leslie & Jerry Silverfine

Doctor & Mrs. Arnold D. Pearlstone

June 3, 2004

Our Sincerest Condolences to Charlie's family.....he will be missed by all of us!!

Ethel M. Jatlowsky

June 3, 2004

Dr. Kelman was a great surgeon who helped inprove my mother's eye sight. I am thankful that the Medical Profession recognized his great work. My condolences to his family.

Wanisha

June 3, 2004

Truly a sad occasion. My condolences go out to the family, as well as those who he has helped. May you use as a source of hope and encouragement the words at Isaiah 51:12, for God said,"I-I myself am the One that is comforting you people."

Sincerely,

Alan Rothenberg

June 3, 2004

A great surgeon who gave my mother-in-law better vision than we ever thought possible. He will be missed.

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