David Apple Obituary

Came across this 1990 image of Dr. David J. Apple along with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ridley (seated). Cataract surgery is safe, effective, and routine because of these men!

David Apple was not only my cousin, but also my childhood playmate, and my friend, becoming one my heroes in later life, due to his athleticism, his musical ability, and his intelligence, which was obvious in his career as an ophthalmologist, as evidenced by his many awards & accomplishments. He was truly a leader in his field, earning worldwide recognition in the field of ophthalmology. My last contact with him was at our Apple Family Reunion in 2010, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to visit with him the year before he passed. I think about him and miss him often. May he rest in peace.

Quite a loss for Ophthalmology and for all of his family and friends to whom I extend my sincerest sympathies. May his memory be for a blessing.

Lieber David, ich vermisse Dich und ich werde Dich nie vergessen. Du warst ein aussergewöhnlicher Mensch, Lehrer und ein Vorbild. Ich bin zutiefst dankbar, dass ich Dich kennenlernen durfte. Irmi
Dear Ann - I am thinking of you. Irmi

Deepest, & Sincere, Sympathy, is extended to the family, friends, & love ones of the late Dr. David Joseph Apple. {from a previous pbx telephone operator }

Deep & Sincere, Sympathy & Condolences is sent to the family, love ones, and friends of the late Dr. David Joseph Apple. {from a previous switchboard operator}

We mourn the passing of a truly great Ophthalmologist who was in inspiration and mentor to many of us. He was also a Mentch of the highest order and he led by example.

As a researcher in the Ophthalmic Surgery industry, I worked with David over a number of years. In a field where strong personalities and anecdotal information often ruled the day, David always posed objective questions, established hypotheses and did the research to determine the right approach. Much of what we know today about what aspects of implant lens surgery, lens design, and quality matter most is due to the efforts of David and his team. He was always generous with his time and available to all. I feel lucky and privileged to have been able to work with such a fine individual and researcher.

Patricia Knight, PhD

Ann--I am so very sorry to learn of your husband's death. Please know that you are part of the Spoleto family and that we share this sadness with you and your family....Martha Ingram.

I first met David in 1982 and we remained friends and colleagues. Despite knowing how close he came to death several times, it was still a shock and great, great sadness to know that he is no longer with us. The world has lost a great, great scientist and humanitarian.

i find it strange that i recievd an email on the day an article went in the eastern daily press telling the story of my sight being saved twice by sir harold ridley. sir harold ridley went against the establishment to replace the lense with a plastic one dr david joseph apple was one of the people who hade faith in a dream and now millions have sight where there could have been blindness god bless you

David is one of the all-time student athletes at East Alton-Wood River Community High School, and was justly honored as a member of the first Hall of Fame class. He remains as an upper classman who I admired and felt honored to call a friend.

One of the giants of ophthalmology... an honor to have known him.

It is difficult to find words to express the sadness I feel at the passing of my cousin, my friend, who I have known since birth. David has always been an inspiration to me and it is so hard to understand that he is no longer with us. His legacy to the ophthalmology community will endure forever, as will my memories of our childhood together and the times we were able to connect as adults.
Doug Gibbins

Ann and Lee,
You are in my thoughts and prayers today.
David was a special friend for many years and I have great memories of our time together. Diana Pendt

David was not just a brilliant physician but he was also a good man, a fabulous husband to Ann and an amazing person. He will be missed by many.

Leslie Hubbard Pelzer, M.D.

Dr. Apple’s legacy in the fields of ophthalmology and pathology will endure as no single individual has done more to advance the concepts contributing to the safety and efficacy of intraocular lenses used in modern cataract surgery. He will be missed by me and everyone who has ever had the privilege of his teaching, leadership, mentorship, and friendship.

Alan N. Carlson, M.D.
Professor of Ophthalmology
Chief, Corneal and Refractive Surgery
Duke Eye Center
Durham, NC

One of my heroes in ophthalmology has passed away. He was a giant in his chosen profession. It was my honor to get to work with him. I remember telling him that one time, and he graciously turned it around. That was the kind of gentleman hie was. I am a better person for having known and learned from David Apple.

We are unbelievably saddened by the passing of our dear friend, colleague and fellow musician, Dr. David Apple. One of the true leaders in ophthalmology in the 20th and 21st centuries, he was the consummate teacher, researcher innovator and author. David and I collaborated many times and he was one of the first people to have faith in me, something I will always cherish. A quiet sense of humor and a love of music.. he always asked me to play the piano for him when we got together. I regret that he, a violinist, and I, a pianist, were never able to play duets due the fact that he lost some of his manual dexterity following several bouts of chemotherapy for throat cancer. It is a testament to his grit and strength that he overcame a number of near death experiences, defying any merely mortal medial odds.

My wife, Cyndi Kulick-rosenthal, and I will miss the many times we traveled and shared experiences with David and his wonderful and devoted wife, Ann. Our condolences go out to her and the entire Apple family and to the community of friends and colleagues who loved David.

'I am sad to know that, we have lost a visionary in ophthalmology,his great work will keep inspiring people in his fraternity forever,may his soul rest in eternal peace.,Dr Samina Zamindar,,Banglore ,India.

We are sad to know Professor David J. Apple, M.D., passed away yesterday in Charleston, SC USA. We offer our condolences for his departed soul. Known as renowned ophthalmologist globally, Prof David Apple was truly a remarkable human being and I personally was highly impressed by his ability to nurture and motivate his fellows to realize their full potential. His Center was truly international with staff, medical students and ophthalmologists from all over the world and yet each one of them felt perfectly at home; thanks to the warmth, enthusiasm and encouragement of Prof Apple.

Prof David Apple will always be remembered fondly by all of us, the Apple Korps.He will always be in our prayers.


Dr. Suresh K. Pandey
Director, SuVi Eye Institute & Lasik Laser Centre,
C 13 Talwandi,
KOTA, RAJ., INDIA
Ph: +(91) - 744- 2433575,
+(91) 93514-12449 (mobile)
E-mail:[email protected]
Website: www.suvieye.com

We are sad to know Professor David J. Apple, M.D., passed away yesterday in Charleston, SC USA. We offer our condolences for his departed soul. Known as renowned ophthalmologist globally, Prof David Apple was truly a remarkable human being and I personally was highly impressed by his ability to nurture and motivate his fellows to realize their full potential. His Center was truly international with staff, medical students and ophthalmologists from all over the world and yet each one of them felt perfectly at home; thanks to the warmth, enthusiasm and encouragement of Prof Apple.
Prof David Apple will always be remembered fondly by all of us, the Apple Korps.He will always be in our prayers.

Dr. Suresh K. Pandey
Director, SuVi Eye Institute & Lasik Laser Centre,
C 13 Talwandi,
KOTA, RAJ., INDIA
Ph: +(91) - 744- 2433575,
+(91) 93514-12449 (mobile)
E-mail:[email protected]
Website: www.suvieye.com