Westheimer Celebration

1. Gerald Westheimer, 2015.
2. Gerald’s University of Sydney graduation portrait, 1947.
3. Gerald and his mother, Ilse, at synagogue for brother Joe’s wedding, 1949.
4. Gerald’s University of Houston Appointment, 1953.
5. Gerald Westheimer, 1960.
6. Gerald with Friends of Gerald at Bay to Breakers, 2016. Pictured center with sunglasses is the late Sir Colin Blakemore, who was at Cal to give a talk the next day. Gerald was proud to have completed the 10k on Sunday, host a post-race lunch for Colin, his wife Andree, and others, and still be energetic on Monday and attend the talk.
7. Gerald’s 99th birthday, pictured with Dennis Levi and Ken Nakayama, 2023.

Dear Dr. Westheimer,

David Robinson spoke glowingly about you often when, in 1972, I first started working with and learning from him about eye movements. Then you and I met (I am sure you don't remember but youngsters always do) when we had a beer together somewhere in Northern California when I was starting my work on focal cerebellar lesions in trained monkeys to follow on your landmark papers in the early 1970s on cerebellectomy in monkeys. I remember you telling me that changes in tone in the brainstem were responsible for some aspects of cerebellar lesions in monkeys, And, when you asked me if I was comfortable with mathematics I recalled being a little uncomfortable with trying to give you an honest answer! At any rate you have always been and still are an inspiration for all of us. Congratulations on a fabulous career.

– Dr. David Zee, Professor of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University

Many apologies Gerald, for not being able to make it across the pond to congratulate you on your many life and work achievements and to thank you for providing inspiration to us, in the finest possible way. Your work in hyperacuity and other topics in physiological optics has stimulated so much curiosity in vision scientists, young and old. I was fortunate to attend your Festschrift at Berkeley many years ago and it is amazing that you have now made it to an even greater milestone. If we could all be so lucky! It is wonderful that vision science still keeps your mind entertained and perhaps this is the secret to life longevity? I would love to hear your insight into where you think the field will develop. Thank you for showing us how it should be done, so we can pass this on to others as they navigate careers and aspirations, like was passed on to me. Very best wishes as you continue to travel in the world of curiosity, solving more mind puzzles as you go.

– Dr. Sarah J. Waugh, Reader in Vision Sciences, University of Huddersfield, UK

Dear Gerald,

Congratulations on 100 years of vitality on Planet Earth, and on a lifetime of contributions to vision science and improvement of the human condition. Since 1976 when you were editor for my first journal publication, you have been an inspiration and scientific guiding light for me. You have been a role model throughout my career. I am sorry I will miss the celebration on April 14. It will be a wonderful event. But I hope to see you during my brief visit to Berkeley in late May. All best wishes!

– Dr. Gordon Legge, Director of Minnesota Laboratory for Low Vision Research, University of Minnesota