A tribute to Donald Eugene Roy, M.D., 1935-2020
Donald Eugene Roy, M.D.
1935-2020
As a young teenager in the early 1970s, I met a maverick. At that point in my life I did not know how one would define a maverick, but I knew great men existed. And I knew Don Roy was one of them.
I was raised in a family with the utmost respect for the military, as my father was a corpsman in the Pacific during World War II. When Frank Bertolucci and Don Roy first met, theirs was an instant bond—a bond of brothers of different times, yet similar circumstances. This bond I shared as well.
When his tour of duty as the lone combat eye surgeon with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in Da Nang, Vietnam, ended, Dr. Roy moved to Fresno. He began his tenure with the Eye Medical Center of Fresno in 1974. He was the first subspecialty-trained retina specialist in the Central Valley, and he brought with him a new level of expertise from his training at the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital of Philadelphia. His arrival paved the way for numerous ophthalmologists with higher levels of training, elevating the quality of care in Fresno.
Dr. Roy’s stellar career spanned close to forty years at the Eye Medical Center of Fresno. While providing care to patients locally, he continued to serve the military men and women he loved. He ultimately was promoted to the rank of Two-Star Admiral in 1987 until his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1994.
Dr. Roy was a proud and loving father and husband. He leaves behind the love of his life, Linda, five children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he loved unconditionally. His legacy is unparalleled as a disciple of God, nurturing family man, healer, teacher, and soldier.
As Douglas MacArthur eloquently stated, “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Don Roy will be missed, but never forgotten.
Sincerely,
George Bertolucci, M.D.
President
Eye Medical Center of Fresno
I got to meet Dr. Roy when I joined Eye Medical Center in 1978. We got to know each other over the next forty years in medical offices, hospital dinners, and operating rooms. We shared eye care of hundreds of patients over the years of working together at EMC . It was a genuine pleasure to know and work with Dr. Roy these past four decades both personally and professionally.
The Admiral was not only one of my own eye physicians, but I spent thousands of hours in the operating room taking care of his patients between 1982 and 2013. We enjoyed many discussions of many subjects, including his stories of his red Corvettes (which usually got sold because of “threats of speeding tickets”). My first surprise was when he told me that he was career US Navy, but could not swim…(I had assumed that would have been a prerequisite)… but then I was US Air Force Reserves – Medical Corps – and could not flap my arms and fly…OK… A day at CEI with Don and his many colleagues, and fantastic nursing folks, was a joy—always considered a “best day”. I volunteered for many friday afternoon “CEI-call afternoons” specifically so I could take care of the many retinal patients which Don and George, and others needed to urgently care for. He will be missed greatly. Our prayers for Linda and family. We know where he is, and plan to see him again. God Bless. Shields High. Rick Fogdall (Richard Fogdall. MD)
Loved Dr. Roy! He was my eye doctor since I was 5 years old until my early adulthood. Great man!
He was an amazing man, surgeon and officer. I am very fortunate to have worked with him.
What a beautiful tribute, to a wonderful gentlemen we were lucky enough to know. May he Rest in Peace