Dr. Gerald Westheimer trained in and practiced optometry in Sydney, Australia before arriving in Columbus for PhD study with Dr. Glenn Fry. He was on the faculty of The Ohio State University School of Optometry, as it was then called, teaching Geometric, Mechanical, and Physiological Optics until joining the University of California, Berkeley in a similar capacity in 1960. Gerald has held a variety of academic positions in Berkeley and is currently Clinical Professor of Optometry, Emeritus. For his long series of research contributions in the eye’s optics, visual acuity, and oculomotor physiology Gerald followed in Dr. Fry’s footsteps in being awarded the Tillyer medal from the Optical Society of America and the Prentice medal from the American Academy of Optometry.
In addition, he closed a circle by sharing with Dr. Fry’s own mentor, the distinguished physiologist and psychologist William McDougall, recognition of election to the Royal Society (F.R.S.) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. On September 16, 2014, the actual centennial date of optometry at Ohio State, Gerald received the 14th Fry Medal, awarded to individuals who have truly distinguished themselves with long and exemplary records of vision research. http://vision.berkeley.edu/?p=4459