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William John "Jack" Runninger Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 24, 2017.

I couldn't resist writing one more column for RN-T so have composed my own obituary. Prior to my demise, of course. William John (Jack) Runninger was born July 16, 1923 in Aurora, IL. Although officially named William John by his parents, they proceeded to call him Jack instead. Which seems a rather stupid thing to do, and has caused all sorts of confusion during his life.

He graduated from East Aurora High School, salutatorian of his class. Which seemed to set a pattern for his entire life, often second, never first. He then attended DePauw University. When World War II broke out, he joined the US Navy. He served as the Combat Information Center officer on the USS Newberry, an attach transport, and participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

When his ship was sent back to the States for repairs, preparing for the invasion of Japan, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Gibson. Shortly thereafter, the Japanese surrendered, preventing the bloodbath that would have taken place in this invasion.

Following the war, his new bride and the GI bill paid his way through his schooling at the Southern College of Optometry, and he graduated in 1948 with a Doctor of Optometry degree. (Again as salutatorian). He then came to Rome to practice, not realizing at the time how lucky he was to be coming to such a wonderful community. He was in the private practice of optometry in Rome for almost 45 years.

In addition he also became an optometric journalist serving as editor of three different national optometric journals. (Only two of them folded under his leadership). Also in addition he wrote a monthly column for these journals for some 35 years. He also served for many years as the United States consulting editor for Points de Vue, an international optical journal.

Success with these columns led him to write a periodic humor column for the Rome News-Tribune for more than 30 years.

He wrote more than 500 articles and columns for professional and lay journals, six books, and lectured at more than 100 meetings and colleges in 28 states.

Modesty prevents him from mentioning a few honors he achieved along the way. Such as being chosen for the National Optometry Hall of Fame; awarded an honorary Doctor of Ocular Science degree; Benedict Professor University of Houston; Lifetime Achievement Award from his alma mater; elected Distinguished Practitioner, Nation Academies of Practice; member of the Governor's (Maddox) Health Planning Council; the American Optometric Association Distinguished Service in Journalism Award; and in 1935, the prestigious C.M. Bardwell grade school award for best posture.

He first wife Mary Gibson Runninger, his wife of 60 years, passed away in 2005. He married Helen Hayes Cobb in 2008. He is survived by three wonderful daughters, Nancy Watson, Star Hancock, and Janet Ballou. Four beautiful granddaughters, Jennifer Odil, Jody Turner, Beth Kendall, and Shelley Ballou. And 3 wonderful great-grandchildren, Roman Odil, Lillian Kendall and Noah Kendall. Of all of them, he was extremely proud.

He is also survived by step children Kendall Clotfelter, Luke Cobb, Catherine Ledbetter, and Tom Cobb. Step grandchildren Emily Sweitzer, Dr. Julia Brock, Elisabeth Babb, Sara Lemons, Kristin Hunter, and Preston Cobb; plus 7 great-grandchildren.

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August 15, 2017

Pamela Miller, OD

Jack was always full of humor and incredible supportive of his colleagues. He is truly one of the giants of our profession and will be long remembered for his incredible contributions spanning many decades. We are better for having you as a friend.

July 5, 2017

Gina Wesley, OD

Loved reading all your articles, Jack. I never had the privilege to meet you, but you were and continue to be an inspiration.

July 3, 2017

William Gordon OD

Jack,
I never met you, but I always loved your articles in the Optometry magazines. All of us Eye Doctors will miss you, your wit and humor were second to none!

July 3, 2017

John Rumpakis, OD, MBA

Jack was one of the first to invite (lure) me into the world of writing for optometric publications. 33 years later, I'm still writing. Jack, thank you for all of your wisdom and support over the years. The profession of Optometry was better because of you and your insight on so many issues that you discussed over the years. God bless!

July 2, 2017

Kenneth Lay

I have always enjoyed reading Jack's articles as they are filled with humors and life lessons. He will be greatly missed. Thank you Jack for all you have done for our profession.

July 1, 2017

Walter Drill

RIP Jack. Your obit was in true humorous form- the same as your Optometric writings . I have a huge folder of your articles from the magazines and have shared them with many patients and friends. Thank you for adding levity to our lives with your unique humor.

July 1, 2017

Kevin Wulff

Rest in peace, Jack. I knew you only through correspondence, but your revealed yourself to me and others through your writing. You shared some life's lessons, and you were one more mentor who helped guide the way for those of us coming after you. Thanks for all you gave us.
Kevin Wulff
Rochester, MN

July 1, 2017

John Swinford

I also knew Dr. Runninger only from reading his columns in optometry publications. I always enjoyed them and found them reassuring, helping me feel things were going to be OK.

July 1, 2017

Stephanie Y

RIP, Dr. Jack Runninger. Although I never met him in person, I feel like I knew him through reading the many stories he published over the years. He will be sorely missed by the optometric community.

July 1, 2017

Dennis Iadarola

All of our prayers. Although I never met him, he inspired me as an Optometrist to always be myself and be the best doctor I could be.

July 1, 2017

Lou Catania

Jack was one of kind. He had the sharpest wit a man could possess; a bright clinical mind; and mostly, a kind and gentle heart. It's nap time, Jack, so rest peacefully.
Lou Catania

June 30, 2017

Rischel Yeh

I never met Jack in person but always enjoyed reading his articles. So, I felt like I knew him and it saddens me to read of his passing. See, I never write anything but he inspired me to write this and he will be truly missed. Condolences to his family and friends, and our optometric community at large.

June 30, 2017

Art Epstein

Jack was a role model, an inspiration and a wonderful mentor. One of our profession's most gifted and prolific writers, his humor and pure wit was unparalleled. He could spin a yarn about the most common things and make the dull interesting and funny. He was a mirror into the best of ourselves and reminded us to not take ourselves too seriously. I first read him as a student and he taught me many lessons over the years, but it was his warmth and kindness that I will most remember. When I would see him at SECO in his later years he would always greet me like family. When I was new on the scene he would take me around to introduce me to people I needed to know. In all my years of writing, I simply followed in his huge footsteps. He left us all better for having been touched by him and he will be missed by many.

June 27, 2017

what an inspiration Dr. Jack Runninger was...........his family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers!
Connie Williams

June 26, 2017

I will miss his great smile and gracious hellos. It was always a pleasure to see DR. Runninger when walking down a hallway or sitting in a room awaiting a speaker. One knew that a great smile and hello awaited.
Robert Maynard O.D. Phoenix, Az.

June 26, 2017

H. Kemp Jones

As I entered practice forty years ago in June, 1977, Dr. Runniger was always an inspiration to me. He remembered me, my name, and who I was. I enjoyed his aticles, and at least one of his books that he sent to me. There are few doctors of optometry that have inspired the profession as he has. I am proud to say that I knew him.

June 26, 2017

Horace Deal

I always thought of Dr. Runninger as the Ben Franklin of optometry. Like Franklin's Poor Richard he provided insight and instruction through his writing and humor. We owe him so much for all he did for the profession. He will be sorely missed.

June 26, 2017

Bonny Fripp

Jack and his great sense of humor will be very much missed by his SECO family! He was a joy to work with and I'm so glad I had the privilege of knowing him.

June 26, 2017

Ted McElroy

Jack, was an inspiration, encouragement, hero and friend of mine and many of you also. I remember one year at SECO, not too many years ago, when Jack and Dr. Irvin Borish were walking through the exhibit hall together. It was like watching two rock stars going through a crowd of raving fans. And neither could have been more accommodating to the throngs of their worshipers. Were it not for Jack I would not have had the courage to write articles, feel comfortable in public speaking or felt brave enough to consider and later become president of the Georgia Optometric Association, which Jack did TWICE, and SECO International, which Jack did also. He was a great man not only for those things, but because he taught us to laugh not only at things we saw, but to also be able to laugh at ourselves, right to the very end as witnessed in his auto-obituary above.

Jack, you will be missed and never forgotten.

June 25, 2017

Dr. Stephen Polezonis

Dr. Runninger, as a fellow DePauw alum, as well as an Optometrist, I thank you for your wisdom, as well as your humor, and your insights into human nature. I'll miss your columns, to be sure, but I will always keep your memory alive. Thank you!

June 25, 2017

Phoebe Pomeroy

I was always complaining about my terrible eyesight to John Ramsaur. So one time John asked me " Well how bad is your eyesight, anyway?" Since I didn't know the exact measurement of my eyes, I asked Jack. He said, "Just tell him you have one bad eye and one "damn bad eye". I just doubled over langhing. I still tell this story..and it still gets a laugh!! Rest in peace, my friend. I'm sure you keep them laughing!!! Phoebe Pomeroy

June 25, 2017

Gladys & Ed Edmondson

You are theFIRST in the hearts of your friends,sorry we want be there for your good by party as we are in Maine.

June 25, 2017

Raymond Brill, OD, MBA, FAAO, FOAA

I never met Jack outside if the covers of the journals. His impact on maintaining the sanity of his colleagues through the vehicle of humor was large. May he rest well in Optometric heaven and look down upon us as we COPE with the daily foibles of the profession.

June 25, 2017

Charlotte Tlachac

Jack was a gentle mentor of mine during my stint as an optometric editor of an AOA section newsletter. His droll sense of humor was an inspiration and his calm demeanor an example to follow. It's just so perfect that he wrote his own obit. Giving smiles to others was his forte, to the very end. RIP, my friend.

June 25, 2017

K Castleberry

Loved your articles and was honored to have you share one of my humorous stories in one. Your sense of humor and anecdotes will be missed by this OD.

June 25, 2017

It was a pleasure to have known Jack. I will always admire the gracious way he conducted himself in both word and deed. He was a credit to his profession, his community and his country. RIP.

Cliff Courtenay, OD

June 25, 2017

Linda Ballenger

Jack was always smiling, never forgetting a name. His articles enlightening and with humour, which I have enjoyed all my optical years. A good friend to my father, Seaborn, and the word "business competitor" never entered their vocabulary. A very honorable fellow. He was dearly loved by our family.
Linda Reeves Ballenger

June 24, 2017

Jack, you were our friend and neighbor for 47 years. You didn't mention our YMCA championship volleyball team from 1972--guess that is because you did come in first! We read your final journalistic offering with smiles and tears because it was pure Jack. You are loved and will be missed.
Lowell and Sondra Wilkins

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