Westheimer Celebration

Westheimer Celebration Header

Loading...

About the Photos – Click to Expand

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.

As we close out the first 100 years of Optometry and Vision Science at Berkeley, we are also closing out the first 100 years in the life of Dr. Gerald Westheimer (b May 13, 1924), a true icon in the field. To celebrate this major milestone with Gerald, we held a private, invitation-only event on Sunday, April 14. The event recognized his many contributions to the field, as we look forward to what is in store for the next 100 years.

See the Event

To watch a video of Dr. Westheimer's birthday event, please click the button below.

Watch on YouTube

Event Program

The event, titled Optometry and Vision Science, the Next 100 Years, featured the following:

Introduction to the guest of honor by Dennis Levi, longx-time friend of Gerald and former dean of the School of Optometry.
Comments from Gerald Westheimer, the guest of honor.
Three talks from an esteemed panel of three invited speakers:

Topics & Speakers

Artificial Intelligence in Eye Care Practice
Aaron Lee, MD, MSCI
C. Dan and Irene Hunter Endowed Professor
Dept of Ophthalmology
University of Washington

Modern Optics in Ophthalmic Diagnosis & Visual Aids
Susana Marcos, PhD
Director, Center for Visual Science
University of Rochester

Brain Imaging to Access Present Visual Experience
Jack Gallant, PhD
Chancellor's Professor of Psychology
University of California, Berkeley

Well Wishes for Gerald

Friends and colleagues of Dr. Westheimer have sent their well wishes in honor of his 100th birthday celebration. Click the button below to read them all.