Dr. Norman S. Jaffe's Obituary
Dr. Norman Jaffe
Born March 26,1924 in Brooklyn, N.Y Passed awway Feb 3, 2015
Graduated from Boys High School. He was on the track team at New York University and played professional baseball in the International League. He recieved his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. He chose Opthalmology as his medical specialty.
He married Ann Jaffe who owned an art gallery for 35 years. She died on December 13, 2001 ending a beautiful marriage that spanned for 53 years. He then married Anne Laurence and shared a full loving life together. Survivors include Dr.Mark(Patricia), Dr.Gary (Suzan), Evan (Lisa), Dr.Emery (Lianessa), Barbara Speas (Richard), John Laurence (Jodi), David Laurence (Sona). Grandchildre Adam (Dara), Alisa (David), Nicole (Doug), Jesse, Dylan, Alex, Rachel, Lauren & Brooke Speas, Tyler and Zachary Laurence, Alexandra, Caitlin, & Jessica Laurence.
Dr. Jaffe was an internationally acclaimed eye surgeon who was joined in his practice by three of his sons. He was considered America's pioneer lens implant surgeon for patients with cataracts. He published 238 scientific papers in peer-reviewed medical journals. He was the author of 13 textbooks. His book Cataract Surgery and its Complications has had six editions and has been read by more opthamologists on the subject of cataract surgery than any other book in the history of ophthalmology.
He performed his first lens implant operation on December 4, 1967 and taught the technique to Miami ophthalmologists and later to thousands nationally and internationally. He was the leader among eye surgeons who fought to make the operation a favorable alternative to older methods of catarct surgery. As president of the American Intra-Ocular Implant Society, now known as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, he was able to convince the profession and the Food & Drug Administration of the benefits of this procedure, thus improving the quality of life of millions. The American Academy of Opthalmology expressed its appreciation and welcomed him as the Guest of Honor at its annual meeting in San Francisco in 1997.
He was honored by many American and International medical societies. He introduced lens implant surgery to the People Republic of China in 1998 when he and his three sons performed 23 lens implantations before an audience of 500 Chinese opthalmologists. He was awarded a great honor in 2003 when he was inducted into the Opthalmology Hall of Fame, one of only four living opthalmologists in the world that year.
He has been on the staff of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of University of Miami School of Medicine since its inception. He held the rank of Professor for many years. He has contributed to the University of Miami in a variety of areas. He and his wife were members of the Merrick Society. He helped initiate the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies. He was a Golden Cane and aligned himself with Hurricane athletics. He was an enthusiastic supporter of football, baseball, basketball, and the arts throughout his life.
He performed more than 40,000 cataract operations during his career, most at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ann Bates Leach Eye Hospital of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He served on the Governing Board of the Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital for many years.
He served on the board of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation for many years and was Chairman of the Foundation of Jewish Philanthropies for four years. He was President of the Bas Museum in Miami Beach. He served in the Army for one year during World War II and two years during the Korean War holding the rank of Captain.
He and his wife spent much time in Aspen, Colorado and in Snowmass Village where they owned a home. He hiked the trails of the Rockies for 40 years. He played tennis and golf until the end. He was a staunch supporter of the Arts. Sunday brunches and tennis at his Miami Beach home were a long lasting tradition.
He will be sorely missed by his multitude of family, friends, patients and admirers.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to your favorite charity.
Services will be held at Temple Beth Shalom Feb 6th at 12:30pm
4144 Chase Avenue, Miami Beach.
Shiva will be observed Saturday & Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the family home in Aventura.
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