Obituary of Robert Dean Letson

Robert Dean, M.D. Letson Age 88, of Wayzata, MN, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2015. Born Jan. 18, 1927 in Canton, OH. Graduate of Washburn High School, Mpls. 1945, Univ. of MN MD 1952, Mpls. General Hospital 1953. Married Patricia Andersen of Grand Marais, MN July 18, 1953. Practiced Family Practice in Glenwood, MN 1953-1963 with two years served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps stationed in France. Graduated from the Ophthalmology Dept. Univ. of MN 1966, Fellowship Univ. of Oregon and Institute of Visual Sciences San Francisco 1967. Appointed to faculty Dept. of Ophthalmology Univ. of MN 1967. Known as the “Father of Pediatric Ophthalmology” in Minnesota. Developed the division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Univ. of MN. Retired 1998. Provided Ophthalmologic care as a volunteer in India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Ecuador and Venezuela. Received the Outstanding Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology. Past President of the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology and Preschool Vision Screening, past Moderator of Mayflower Community Church and many years committee member of Boy Scout Troop 187. Preceded in death by parents, Donald and Helen Letson; brother, Richard A. Letson. Survived by wife, Patricia; sons, David and Thomas (Elizabeth); daughter, Kathryn; grandchildren, Crystal, Richard, Jacob and Donald; five great-grandchildren. A special thanks to Folkestone Gables and Optage Hospice for their TLC. Celebration of life will be held at 10:30 AM Tues., September 29 at Mayflower Church, 106 E. Diamond Lake Rd., Mpls., MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the University of MN Foundation for Pediatric Ophthalmology or Mayflower Church Foundation.