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Allan W. Shapiro

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University of California| Berkeley University of California San Francisco

FUNERAL HOME

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Funeral Home, Crematory and Columbarium

4499 Piedmont Avenue

Oakland, California

Allan Shapiro Obituary

Allan W. Shapiro, OD, MO February 16, 1936 - August 16, 2006 Dr. Allan W. Shapiro passed away on August 16, 2006, at Bruns House Hospice in Alamo, CA, following treatment for recently diagnosed cancer. Son of Betty and Max Shapiro of Oakland, CA, Allan attended Cleveland Grammar School and Oakland High School. He pursued his education at the University of California at Berkeley, where he was an active and beloved member of the Kappa Nu Fraternity. He obtained an A.B. degree in zoology; a B.S. degree in optometry; an O.D. in optometry, and a M. Opt. in optometry. During his career, Dr. Shapiro acted as a consultant in the Pediatric Ophthalmology Dept. at UCSF, and at the Department of Ophthalmology at SF General Hospital, as well as an instructor and worldwide lecturer. He was a life member of the University of California Alumni Association, a member of the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Better Vision Institute, former member of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Optometric Association, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Eyetis Foundation at the former Ralph K. Davies Medical Center. He remained active in private practice at 490 Post Street in San Francisco until his recent hospitalization. Allan leaves behind by his wife and partner of 21 years, Rhonda (Miller) Shapiro and their beloved Wonder Dog, Amos Shapiro; his sister, Doris; a surviving uncle, Dr. Laurence Horowitz; wonderful cousins, and countless numbers of patients and friends. He'll be forever missed by his Miller family in Belleville, IL; father-in-law, Albert L. Miller, Sr. and his life partner, Roberta (Bea) Blackford, and her extended family; brother-in-law, Albert L. Miller, Jr.; sister-in-law, Lisa Miller and niece, Kristina; sister-in-law, Pamela Miller, niece, Emily, and nephews Brent, Tim, Josh and Eli Miller. Allan was pre-deceased in death this year by his friend and brother-in-law, Jerry L. Miller, of Greenville, IL, and his aunt, Virginia Horowitz, of Santa Rosa, CA. Allan touched so very many people in his lifetime; he took great pleasure in his work, great pride in his family, and tremendous joy in making everyone he met feel special. A Memorial Service will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, on Saturday, September 9, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial donations be made directly to Bruns House Hospice of Alamo, CA. We would also like to thank the wonderful staff at CPMC for their loving care and support during this very difficult time. CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES - OAKLAND (510) 654-0123 "Service of Marked Distinction" www.chapelofthechimes.com

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Aug. 27, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Allan Shapiro

Sponsored by Your loving wife.

32 Entries

Margaret Deacon

September 9, 2024

Sincere condolences Rhonda.

He was such a lovely man.

Margaret Deacon
Ireland

Jackie Rourke

March 23, 2007

Dear Rhonda,

It will be 1 year in May since I first meet Allan. I still miss him dearly. Thankyou for keeping in touch. If you ever need a friend, I'm here. Always, Jackie

Ron Biaoco

October 16, 2006

Dr. Shapiro was a truly caring and cosummate professional. Like many others have said, he was not only my doctor he was my friend. Since firt visiting Dr. Shapiro almost exactly 10 years ago in 1996 for keratoconus, he has been the only doctor I trusted with my condition. He was always concerned and was genuinely interested in me as a person. I will miss the good conversations that turned into extended appointments, Dr. Shapiro. You were a great doctor, a good person, and a good man. As you always said, yes I was your "buddy". Rest in peace my friend. My condolences go out Dr. Shapiro's family and loved ones.

Ed and Sydelle Gensler

September 26, 2006

Rhonda,

As we previously mentioned, we are deeply saddened by the loss of your dear Allan---or should I say, everybody's dear Allan.

He was such a wonderful person, and great humanitarian. Nothing was too difficult and he was always available with just a simple telephone call. We certainly appreciated his true concern and immediate response.

We rarely have the good fortune to be gifted with having someone like Allan come into our lives and our family. That's why it is so hard to say "good-bye".

Allan's beautiful smile, sense of humor, and fantastic personality will forever live on and be a very treasured keepsake.

The special times with him, his Mom (Betty), his sister (Doris), Cousin Honey (Hilda), and Jack at Thanksgiving will always be engraved in our hearts forever.

Our love and deepest sympathy Rhonda.

Cousins Ed and Sydelle

Helena Babb

September 26, 2006

Allan Shapiro was my doctor and my

Angela Gantos

September 26, 2006

I was a patient of Dr. Shapiro's since 1974. Not only was he an excellent doctor but also a kind and caring person. I always knew that I was getting the best of care. And my visits were so much fun. We would talk and laugh - truly an enjoyable time. Dr. Shapiro always had great stories to tell. He was so full of life and love for his family. My sixteen year old daughter just started seeing him in April. I am so glad that she got to meet him and to know how special he was. I will miss him. He was the best!

Raquel Gensler

September 26, 2006

My cousin Allan was the only eye doctor I recall seeing growing up. I remember the hour and a half trips to San Francisco to see him and will never forget the day he fitted me for contact lenses when I was a sophmore in high school. I could finally see the chalkboard! I remember visits with his mom, sister, and his Aunt Honey. We always enjoyed spending time with all of them. Allan was also instrumental in my decision to have Lasik surgery last year and I am so happy I did. I so appreciated his advice and reassurance that it was a good decision to go through with it. Rhonda, I am so sorry to hear of Allan's sudden passing and wish we could have all gotten together more often. He will be greatly missed. You are in our hearts during this difficult time. Take good care...

Raquel Gensler

September 26, 2006

My cousin Allan was the only eye doctor I recall seeing growing up. I remember the hour and a half trips to San Francisco to see him and will never forget the day he fitted me for contact lenses when I was a sophmore in high school. I could finally see the chalkboard! I remember visits with his mom, sister, and his Aunt Honey. We always enjoyed spending time with all of them. Allan was also instrumental in my decision to have Lasik surgery last year and I am so happy I did. I so appreciated him advice and reassurance that it was a good decision to go through with it. Rhonda, I am so sorry to hear of Allan's sudden passing and wish we could have all gotten together more often. He will be greatly missed.

Randall Berning

September 22, 2006

9/21/06
Dear Rhonda

We so appreciated Allen, as a professional and as a person. He has always had my highest regard as an eminently capable health care provider. I have known so many that will never rise to his stature. He knew this family and treated us all, my father in his 80's, Matthew at 4 years old and Carol and I in between. He even referred Carol's father to a specialist in Chicago. So approachable, caring and warm. He excelled at explaining what was occurring and would go to the level the patient desired in seeking to communicate a given procedure or diagnosis. I loved to be with him, yet time and circumstance seemed to always intervene. But the times we talked in great sweeps about so much I can remember clearly including the settings, visits with him in the old office, after the Oakland fire and on talking the new space.

We will miss him deeply. We wish you every comfort at this time.

Jacqueline Rourke

September 22, 2006

Dear Rhonda,

Though I only knew Dr. Shapiro for a couple months, The impression he has instilled apon me will last forever.

I miss when he would arrive at the office, my phone would light up and the most happy and sincere voice would say " Goodmorning," followed by him asking how I was doing. So many patients have said to me how Dr. Shapiro is the greatest man, and they are right.

Allan brought a glow of light into a dark room, his sense of humor, and smile are unforgettable. I will treasure the memories I have FOREVER. I am so Thankful I had the opprotunity to work with such a brillant, Caring man. Thankyou for everything Rhonda,

Your Friend Always, Jacqueline

Rhonda Shapiro

September 21, 2006

For my beloved Allan,

I am so very thankful that God brought us together. I treasure our years, our happiness and laughter, our ups (there were so many), and our downs (ditto!). Through them all we walked together.

With you I came to know the woman I was capable of becoming, and because of you, I am.

I'm taking care of Doris, as I promised I would.

My handsome husband, I'll always love you.

Rhonda

Normandie-Annette Ramirez

September 15, 2006

Dear Rhonda,

I was deeply moved by the beautiful celebration of the one and only Dr. Shapiro last weekend. I laughed and cried and felt privleged to have known him. I am inspired to be a better me. I've known Dr. Shapiro for decades as one of his tried and true patients. We we're blessed to have him and we can all make him proud as we move forward with love and light.

Patty Wrench

September 14, 2006

Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. My husband first introduced me to Dr. Shapiro in the 80's and he always treated us with the most personal and professional treatment. Recently, my teenage daughter started seeing him, and he inspired her to consider a career in opthamology. We will miss him!

Robin Fernandez

September 13, 2006

To the Shapiro and Miller families,

Doc Shapiro was my eye doctor for over 40 years; he was just setting up practice when I was referred to him via Dr. Sarrail, and hard contact lenses were the only option. I wore the same pair for over 10 years due to his care. As I matured, so did the doc, and he has treated my husband as well as my two children. He always asked about each of us during our annual visits, and had the best bedside manner of any of our medical providers. I just heard about his passing and offer our family's deepest condolences to you. Selfishly, we won't know what to do without him - Doc Shapiro was simply the very best.

Kitty Hendler

September 11, 2006

Dear Family of Dr. Shapiro:

I was a patient of Dr. Shapiro's since 1974; I had a very difficult-to-fit contact lens history and Alan was the only one who could properly fit me and my weird eyes (no 3-D vision). He was always, kind, caring, supportive and friendly. I enjoyed updating him on my life and hearing about you all. I shared the loss of your beloved Oakland home with him and watched him push forward.

Please know that he was absolutely perfect at what he did and I am at a loss on how to pursue my eye care future.

Kitty

Donna Hankins

September 7, 2006

Rhonda and Family

Words cannot begin to express our sadness over your lost. I was referred to Dr Shapiro in Feb of 1967 for contact lens. For almost forty years he was not only our doctor; he was our friend. He treated my mom, grandmother, children, family members and friends. Every year I looked forward to my visits with him. I learned to bring a snack, we needed the afternoon to catch up on the events of the past year. He was the only doctor that could assure two things would take place during those visits. At the end of the day, I would have 20/15 vision and have the pleasure of spending the afternoon with a good friend. He was the best "doggone" doctor in the world and a wonderful friend. Knowing him was truly a blessing. Words cannot begin to express the void. We loved him and we will miss him. Rhonda, our prayers go out to you.

Donna Hankins and Family

Shirley & Christina

September 7, 2006

Rhonda and family, we are so sorry for your loss, we've been friends with Alan for almost 15 years, he is such a wonderful man, terrific husband and generous, we are going to miss him and we want you to know that our hearts are with you.

Cathy Getman

September 5, 2006

Rhonda and family,

I've been a patient of Dr Shapiro for years. He's the only one who was able to get me to 20/25 vision. He was always so patient, caring and willing to spend whatever time necessary to get my contacts right. Even more than being a wonderful doctor, I enjoyed Dr. S's friendship. I so looked forward to his stories about Mexico and traveling, the rebuilding after the Oakland Hills fire, Amos the Wonder Dog, and especially Rhonda. I can't believe he's gone. It feels like an integral part of my life is missing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Rhonda and all of the family.

Hamilton and Zelda Rescued Bouviers

Patricia Dailey MD Claire Toutant MD

September 2, 2006

Rhonda and family, We are so sorry to hear about Alan's death. He was a most remarkable person and a consummate professional. Both of us have seen him for years for our very difficult eye corrections. He always mentioned Amos and you Rhonda, and we had always hoped that Amos would meet the special rescued Bouviers Zelda and Hamilton. We hope that if there is anything we can do to help in this time of sorrow that you will call on us to help.
Patricia Dailey
Claire Toutant

Warren Sapir

August 30, 2006

Warren, Jan, Rachelle and Andrew deeply mourn the passing of our beloved cousin Allan. He was like an older brother and uncle and will be greatly missed.

Maaike and David Vartabedian

August 30, 2006

Dearest Rhonda, words cannot describe how sorry we are about Allan's sudden passing. Our hearts go out to you during this very difficult time.

Pam Miller and children

August 30, 2006

Allan was an incredible person. He was so full of life, it is almost impossible to imagine him gone. His niece, nephews, and I will always remember the way he made holidays such a special time to look forward to - his way of making them smile with a joke, a look, a funny imitation. How fitting that he was so accomplished in his field of eye care when he himself had the most expressive of eyes, always twinkling in a smile. Allan was a very educated, well-travelled man, but he was always willing to listen to the children and enter into their fun. He was the source of wonderful stories of his life and experiences that we will always treasure. His life was one of generosity and service. How blessed we were to have him for a brother-in-law and uncle. He will be deeply missed.

James Ramsey

August 30, 2006

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rick & Birdie Brown

August 30, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Gail Consulter

August 28, 2006

I have been a patient of Allan's for over 20 years. His humor, patience and understanding made him a very special person and an incredible doctor. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to Rhonda and all of his family.

Julie Weiss

August 28, 2006

I was very saddened to read of Dr. Shapiro's passing. He held a fond and important place in heart as he saved the vision in my right eye. I was 4 years old back in 1966, when he fitted me with a contact lens. It was a new procedure in those days--having children wear contact lenses--and I was a very energetic and rambunctious girl who easily broke things and resisted change. Dr. Shapiro was instrumental in making the contact lens a "fun experience" through good jokes and a wonderful sense of humor, having me wear a patch and suggesting I was a pirate so he gave me a plastic sword and gold coins and other creative things to assure I would take care of my lens (which I did). I had perfect vision in my left eye and an astigmasism in my right which, if not corrected, would have caused blindness. Glasses were not an option. Through Dr. Shapiro's expert guidance and dedication, my right eye vision achieved 20/25. I lived in the San Jose and had weekly visits with him in the city for the first few years of wearing my lens, and bi-yearly meetings well into my late teens. He always made things fun--he suggested I call my lens a name, which I did "Charlie" after Schultz's character, Charlie Brown,; had a wicker basket full of fun toys to choose from and always made these squeaky noises from his mouth but since he had such a big moustache, I wasn't sure how he accomplished this feat. I am ever grateful to him for the many years of providing me with excellent care and concern, for being such a kind and compassionate person and for saving my sight. My heartfelt sympathies go out to Rhonda, Wonder Dog, Amos and his many friends and beloved family.

Nancy Betts

August 28, 2006

I was a patient of Dr. Shapiro's for about 25 years. Even though my eyesight got worse each year, I always looked forward to seeing Dr. Shapiro, chatting about so many things, as he looked deeply into my eyes. I always enjoyed hearing about his dogs, his travels with Rhonda to Mexico ...just talking about life and the living of it. My father was "Allan W." Betts, so in an odd way, I always felt there was a special connection between us. I will miss him and his excellent eye care!

Tom Kenton

August 28, 2006

In September of 1952, I was a transfer from Wisconsin and met Al my first day at OHS. He later introduced me to my future wife, Connie Freitas. He was considerate and sincere then, and at UC Berkeley, and we remembered our good times over our 50th reunion dinner. You touched many people. Miss you Al!

John Giffin

August 28, 2006

Dr. Shapiro was my eye doctor for many years. He was a terrific guy as well as a talented professional.

Jack Loftis

August 28, 2006

My wife and I have been patient/clients of Allan for 12 years. But his gift was to always make you feel you were a cared-for friend -- and it is painful that we have lost him. I was lucky enough to spend some time with him a couple of weeks before he went into the hospital, and will remember his warmth, his sense of humour, and the inevitable delight it was to spend time with him, even if only as a patient. Our sincere condolences to the family.

Jack Loftis & Vibeke Strand

Wing Hsieh

August 27, 2006

Dr. Allan Shapiro - a gentleman's gentleman. My deepest sympathy to Rhonda, wonder dog Amos, and both the Shapiro and Miller families.

Wing C. Hsieh, OD

Elizabeth Fry

August 27, 2006

I will always remember the loving and caring man. You are both in my hart and mind.

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