Described as a mentor and pioneer, South Australian optometrist Mr Ronald Fieldhouse passed away on April 13, aged 97.
Known for his generosity and passion for optometry, he is credited with introducing many people to the optical industry.
Fieldhouse was a member of the Australian Optometrical Association (now Optometry Australia) national executive council who, in 1975, successfully lobbied for optometry to be included in Medibank, now Medicare.
He was also an active member of ProVision for many years.
On LinkedIn, managing director at Ocular Diagnostics Australia, Mr David Allen, said Fieldhouse enticed him into the optical profession with a job offer in 1980.
“Thankyou so much for offering me a chance of a lifetime within ophthalmics all those years ago, a profession which I’m still a part of today, more than 40 years later,” Allen wrote.
Mr Tony Cosentino, managing director at BOC Ophthalmic Instruments, also knew Fieldhouse.
“I first met Ron in 1972 when working as a technician with American Optical. I learned a lot about optometry from him and serviced his equipment for many years,” he wrote.
Former ProVision CEO Steven Johnston also recalled meeting Fieldhouse.
“Ron was very welcoming and brilliant to talk to when I joined ProVision 10 years ago. He gave me an awesome optometry history lesson in one night.”
In March 2010, optometrist Mr Lachlan Scott-Hoy purchased Fieldhouse’s long standing city practice, Ron Fieldhouse & Associates, now known as Innovative Eye Care, in Adelaide.
Fieldhouse is survived by his wife Coral, six children, 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
More reading
Vale Dr Tony Adams – revered academic optometrist ‘will be missed’
Vale Dr Con Moshegov – a ‘genial and vibrant’ individual
Vale Emeritus Professor Barry Cole
