With profound sadness, I’m sorry to inform you our dear friend and loyal supporter, Dr. Floyd Woods, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with cancer during the morning of August 25, 2008.
No words can express our grief at Vision First Foundation. Dr. Woods was truly “one-in-a-million.”
For the lucky ones who knew Floyd Woods, we share the same deep sorrow. For those who never met this great man, may you wish you did.
I met Dr. Woods six years ago when I began my vision mission, thanks to Dr. Floyd Mizener, after my letter to the American Optometric Association was featured in their national magazine, the AOA News.
We quickly became friends. We shared the same dreams for children’s vision. Dr. Woods was our founding Vision First secretary-treasurer. Vast experience and knowledge made him a key member on our Vision First board of directors.
Did you know Dr. Woods was a practicing optometrist for over 56 years? He was a past president of the Illinois Optometric Association and a past school board member. He held a master’s degree in reading from Loyola University. Dr. Woods was a “behavioral optometrist” and proud of it. And since he was good friends with Dr. Floyd Mizener, he coined himself, “Floyd the younger,” since he was the younger Floyd by two years. Dr. Mizener was, “Floyd the older.” His leadership and dedication to the profession of optometry made him a hero.
The two Floyds were quite a team. Together with Dr. Larry Vogel and the late Dr. Irving Kernis, the two Floyds formed the Optometric Four Horsemen and Cavalry. Optometry’s roots in functional vision would be preserved while medical optometry advanced.
I’ll never forget the ring on his cell phone—chirping birds. It seemed that his cell phone rang every time I called his regular phone. No doubt about it…Dr. Woods was a popular man. Oh how I miss hearing those birds. That chirping was symbolic of his fun, free spirit.
Dr. Woods loved children, and children loved him. His eye exams weren’t scary… they were FUN! He truly loved being an eye doctor. He believed vision screenings were inadequate, and thought “nothing less than a comprehensive eye and vision examination by an eye doctor was good enough for our children…period.”
When we traveled to Peoria in 2004 with Nora for the Illinois PTA convention, it was a weekend I’ll never forget. Nora and I felt like we were with royalty. Dr. Woods always wanted to “break the ice” and insert laughter whenever he could, too. When it was our turn to defend the resolution, he went to the microphone and said, “A little boy asked his grandma, ‘How old are you?’ She replied, ‘29 and holding.’ The little boy responded, ‘How old would you be if you let go?’” The room burst into laughter. The resolution passed that night. We were on our way to raising the standards for children’s vision.
Dr. Woods was my mentor. He was my confidant. There were so many great times. Here is my tribute to Dr. Floyd Woods…memorable quotes I’ll hold dear to my heart:
“There is a national movement to mandate eye and vision examinations for all school children. Kentucky, Missouri, and now Illinois, are in the vanguard of this movement. The Vision First Foundation, an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit under the dynamic leadership of Mrs. Janet Hughes, led the entire process of passing the Illinois legislation. Vision screening is totally inadequate and must be replaced by mandated comprehensive eye and vision examinations by eye doctors. You might feel I am rather braggadocios, but I have been fighting for children’s rights for many years.
Dr. Floyd Woods”
His dreams were inspiring…
“Hi Janet,
We are going the right way. Don’t ever accept anything less than a complete functional examination by a functional optometrist.
Your ardent admirer forever, Floyd the Younger”
His dedication was empowering…
“We cannot, and I will not, let anyone ignore Vision First. It is a wonderful structure to insist on superior vision care for all our children. Janet, I have not been much help to you lately since I’ve been ill, but my spirit has been with you all the way. The work you are doing is much too important for anyone to ignore.
Your ardent admirers, Dorothy and Floyd (the Younger)”
His positive-mental-attitude was motivating…
“Hi Janet,
Do not, and I say again, do not be discouraged. The word is getting out that Illinois is doing something. I am encouraged and I hope you are. You are accomplishing something that was unheard of in the past.
Your ardent admirer, Floyd the Younger”
His willingness to educate was limitless…
“Hi Janet,
Absolutely. Peripheral vision can be enhanced through vision therapy. Parents can assist a child in this area through activities that demand bilateral integration (awareness of the two sides of the body). Balancing activities would go a long way in helping a child increase awareness of peripheral vision. A mini trampoline can be a very helpful tool for expanding peripheral awareness. Constriction of the peripheral fields, both visual and auditory, can create a significant problem in the learning to read process. Constriction of both fields occurs under the stress of learning to read. We could probably write a book on this relationship. Try standing on one foot with eyes fixated on a target. Not too difficult. Now try standing on the other foot with eyes closed. Wow, what a difference. Peripheral awareness is absolutely essential in the learning to read process.
Janet… please do not ask me these questions. They get me all excited because no one is paying any attention to these most significant visual problems of our children.
As always, your most ardent admirer, Floyd the Younger”
His humor was refreshing…
“Hi Janet,
Glad to have helped you. Not only do I repair patios, I also do windows, but don’t tell Dorothy.
Keep up the great work, Floyd the Younger”
He always wanted me to be well informed…
“Janet,
Check out this article. I am thoroughly disgusted. OMDs are now becoming the great saviors of our children. How can the OMD check ocular motor skills when the muscle used for focusing is paralyzed with drugs for dilation? I think our old friend, Floyd the Older, made this prediction a long time ago.
As ever, your upset eternal admirer, Floyd the Younger”
He wasn’t afraid to “tell it like it is.”
“Hi Janet,
Please read the section on pre-school screening! It is disgusting.
Always in admiration of you, Floyd the Younger”
And when the pressure was on during the emergency rulemaking in July ‘08, in spite of his cancer, he kept the pot boiling…
“The Vision First report form, along with the Reference Page, is the most complete and informative communication between disciplines that has ever been produced. The educator can use this information to enhance a student’s learning program. The form being considered by the state provides very little about helping the child. What a waste of valuable information.”
Sincerely,
Floyd Woods, One of the Four Horsemen still galloping
He always thought about the children…
“Janet,
The battle is beginning to loom on the horizon. We must be prepared to meet the adverse thinking with facts that are quotable and cannot be denied. Please do not let our detractors influence you. We have the strength of the truth and our opposition must be faced with our ammunition. We are in this battle for our precious children. We cannot fail.
Your ardent admirer, Floyd the Younger”
He was never a pest…
“Hi Janet,
The pest is back again. The evidence grows. I successfully found the original article on the Internet and bought it for twelve bucks. I love the article because it tends to substantiate what we have been saying about hyperopia and how it correlates academic achievement with refractive error. We will prevail! Keep up the great work.
As ever, in your corner, Floyd the Younger”
He was quick to share the success of others…
“Hi Janet,
I feel their page (Wichita Vision Development Center) is an absolute brilliant way to demonstrate to readers how the lack of some of the vision skills influences the reading and learning process.
As always, your most ardent admirer, Floyd the Younger”
He was proud of my work…
“Hi Janet,
As usual, you come up with perfection. You are so astute. Your “Top Ten Reasons” deserves a medal. Go to press. Thank you for all that you do for our children. Your untiring effort will make the world a better place for many years to come.
Forever in your corner, Floyd the Younger”
And not afraid to correct me when I was wrong…
“Hi Janet,
The Optometric Four Horsemen and Calvary needs to be corrected. My Funk & Wagnalls New Comprehensive International Dictionary of the English Language defines “calvary” as a sculptured representation of the crucifixion, usually erected in the open air. On the other hand, the same dictionary says that CAVALRY, among other things, is defined as organized, mounted combat troops. I like to think we are more like the latter rather than the former. Otherwise, in my humble opinion, the work is impeccable and will be very informational for all who visit the Vision First website.
Your most ardent admirer, Floyd the Younger”
He was full of compliments…
“Hi Janet,
I’m impressed. Thank you for your skills at nit-picking. We do not want to be redundant. As a layperson in this field, I think you are the best.”
Four minutes later I received this email:
“I meant I am the layperson judging the expert.
Your ardent admirer, Floyd the Younger”
He always remembered the kids and Mark…
“Hi Janet,
Thank you for the update. I am amazed at your energy. Give all your wonderful kids a big hug and kiss from Dorothy and me, and please don’t forget your very supportive and patient husband, Mark Sr.
Your ardent admirer, Floyd the Younger”
He was a humble man…
“Dear Janet,
Thank you for the great compliment. I do not deserve such praise. My concern is to see all children succeed at their primary job, to learn. I think we can help.
Forever in your debt, Floyd the Younger”
He made me feel appreciated…
“Dear Janet,
You, of course, know that you were sent from heaven to help our children become the best they can be. Your thought on the motto is great. We look to you for leadership in this monumental effort to help our children,
Your totally dazzled admirer, Floyd the Younger
I’m going to miss his classic signature and all its variations…
As always, your ardent admirer,
Your ARDENT admirer,
As ever, your ardent admirer,
Your constant and ardent admirer,
Your constant and eager admirer,
Your steadfast and most loyal admirer,
Your ever lovin’, forever your ardent admirer,
As always, I remain your loyal and ardent admirer,
As always, in absolute awe in your presence,
As always, forever in your debt,
Forever in your debt, you have my complete admiration,
Your ardent admirer and believer that you are Superwoman,
Forever basking in the bright light of Janet Hughes,
Floyd the Younger
I’ll cherish his pearls of wisdom…
“Dear Janet,
When you get down, gather your children around you, give them a hug, and thank God for his blessings. He will give you the strength and courage to continue our journey.
Your ardent admirer forever, Floyd the Younger”
And when he sent me this email last year, little did I know I’d be shedding these same “Tears of a Woman” today…
“Hi Janet,
This little vignette applies to you in every way.
My admiration for you increases every day,
Floyd the Younger”
On behalf of Vision First Foundation, our thoughts and prayers are with Dorothy, all the children and grandchildren, and all his friends and family.
How lucky to have been loved so much, that it is so hard to say, “good-bye.”
Sir Isaac Newton’s quote describes very well the impact Dr. Woods made in my life: “If I have been able to see farther than others, it was because I stood on the shoulders of giants.”
Dr. Woods made a difference in my life. Through Vision First, his legacy will live on forever.
Dr. Woods was, and always will be, my giant.
View a special memory page in honor of Dr. Floyd Woods on the Vision First website here…
View his obituary in the Chicago Tribune here…
Copyright (c) 2008 Vision First Foundation. All rights reserved.
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Barack Obama
“Dr. K” was a founding honorary board member of Vision First. He was also one of the primary authors of the 
