An optometrist for 50 years, Dr. Samuel Goetz passed away from pancreatic cancer on October 24, 2013, at his Los Angeles home. He was 85 years old. Dr. Goetz received his bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 1955, and, after graduating from and teaching at the Los Angeles (now Southern California) College of Optometry, he established a private practice. Dr. Goetz bonded strongly with UCLA. A Holocaust survivor, he was a moving force behind the establishment of a Holocaust-studies chair at UCLA. His son Joseph, now an ophthalmologist, graduated from the UCLA School of Medicine (now the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA) and attended a Stein Eye-affiliated residency program. Barry A. Weissman, OD, PhD, Stein Eye Institute professor of ophthalmology emeritus, reflected on his colleague, saying, “Sam was a strong supporter of the campaign to fund an optometric clinician-scientist chair at Stein Eye and was a loyal attendee of our grand rounds. It was always gratifying to have his participation and his wise and gentle counsel.” Dr. Goetz is survived by his wife Gertrude, his son Joseph, his daughter Genie and nine grandchildren.
Dr. Norman Frederick Sprague III (MD ’73, RES ’78), passed away unexpectedly on March 14, 2014. After earning his MD, Dr. Sprague trained in orthopaedic surgery. He also served as a clinical instructor of orthopaedic surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and was one of the early pioneers in arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Sprague was a member of many medical organizations and was a dedicated philanthropist. The Sprague family has supported multiple health-sciences efforts at UCLA, including the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and medical-education programs. Recently, their generous philanthropy created the Marianne and Norman F. Sprague III Medical Student Scholarship. He and his wife Marianne have six children, including UCLA alumna and resident Jessica Sprague, MD ’13.
