David J. Apple, MD

Dr. David Joseph Apple, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on the afternoon of August 18, 2011. He was the husband of Ann Addlestone Apple. The relatives and friends of Dr. and Mrs. David Joseph Apple attended the funeral services of the former, Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 1:00 pm in Beth Elohim Temple. Interment followed at the Beth Elohim Cemetery, Huguenin Avenue.

Dr. Apple was born September 14, 1941 in Alton, Illinois, the son of Joseph Apple and Margaret Bearden Apple. He was a graduate of Northwestern University, University of Illinois College of Medicine, and served his internship and residency in pathology at Louisiana State University.

In 1980 he completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Iowa. He was a world renowned ophthalmologist and pathologist. Dr. Apple was a true pioneer in the fields of ophthalmology and pathology, and his research played in the success story that is modern cataract surgery.

He was professor of ophthalmology and pathology and director of the David J. Apple, MD, Laboratory for Ophthalmic Devices Research in Sullivan's Island. This year he completed his 50th year in service in ophthalmology to South Carolina, the nation, and the world.

He was a world-renowned expert in the field of ocular pathology, cataract surgery/intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and refractive surgery. Dr. Apple formed the Center for Developing World Ophthalmology at the Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. His laboratory is an official Collaborating Center of the Prevention of Blindness Program World Health Organization (WHO). During his lifetime he trained over 200 students and doctors. He called this group his "Apple Korps.”

This Apple Korps now consists of four generation of ophthalmologists. His lab was truly international with staff and doctors from all over the world and yet each one of them felt perfectly at home. His Fellows have said his lectures were like a work of art. His career was distinguished by one fact: He was the only ophthalmologist to have received the four most respected honors in his field: 1) the ASCRS Ophthalmology Hall of Fame award, 2) the Life Achievement Honor Award by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 3) the Innovator's (Kelman) Award, and 4) the Binkhorst Lecture and medal. He received the Senior Honor Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in San Diego, CA. He was selected as one of the Best Ophthalmologists in America.

Among his highest academic honors was his election to the German Academy of Research in the Natural Sciences. He was assistant and subsequently associate professor of ophthalmology under Morton F. Goldberg, MD, at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary and Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine in Chicago from 1971 to 1975. He then completed his residency in clinical ophthalmology under Frederick C. Blodi, MD, at the University of Iowa in 1979. He co-founded the Center for Intraocular Lens Research in 1982 with Randall Olson, MD.

He was professor of ophthalmology and pathology, professor and chairman emeritus at the Storm Eye Institute. He held the Pawek-Vallotton Chair of Biomedical Engineering and was director of the Center of Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices until 2002, when he transferred his Center to Utah. During his chairmanship of the Department of Ophthalmology in Charleston from 1988 to 1996, he successfully led the effort to raise $8.8 million to complete a three-floor expansion and general renovation of the Eye Institute. When he returned, he resigned from the chair and became director of research for the department. In 2002 he returned to Salt Lake City, the city where he began his career in the field of ocular bioengineering. Dr. Apple's landmark book, Sir Harold Ridley and his Fight for Sight: He changed the world so that we may better see it, came about when Sir Harold, inventor of the intraocular lens, asked Dr. Apple to be his official biographer. Publishing it benefited ophthalmology and educated physicians, as well as the general public. Dr. Apple presented more than 1,400 scientific lectures, 168 scientific posters, and more than 60 exhibits and videos. Also, he authored 566 scientific publications, including 23 textbooks and 71 chapters in textbooks. Besides ophthalmology, Dr. Apple was passionate about classical music. He served on the Board of the Charleston Symphony, the Board of the Charleston Ballet, and was active in Chamber Music Charleston.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina; one step-son: Scott E. Kabat (Jennifer) of San Francisco, CA; one step-daughter: Jacqueline B. Kabat of Brooklyn, NY; two step grandchildren: Lilly and Jack; one nephew: Lee Apple; and two nieces: Raina Apple and Dione Apple. He also leaves behind their three cherished dachshunds, "the people" as he called them, Will, Lexie, and Sam. He was predeceased by his brother: Robert Apple. Memorials may be made and mailed to The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation, Research Fund, 4000 Legato Road, Suite #700, Fairfax, VA 22033. Please indicate the donation is for David J. Apple, MD, or you may donate online.
(Reprint from the Charleston Post & Courier: http://bit.ly/qX4HF1) 

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Kind words by those who remember Dr. Appleby 

“Prof David Apple was truly a remarkable human being and I personally was highly impressed by his ability to nurture and motivate his fellows to realize their full potential. His Center was truly international with staff, medical students and ophthalmologists from all over the world and yet each one of them felt perfectly at home, thanks to the warmth, enthusiasm, and encouragement of Prof Apple. He will always be remembered fondly by all of us, the Apple Korps,” Dr. Suresh K. Pandey, Director, SuVi Eye Institute & LASIK Laser Centre.

“I have enjoyed a close friendship with David since we took the oral part of our US board exams together in 1980. We spent 5 days sitting together in the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, while the examiners decided who did not know us and was thus eligible to examine us. Marshall Parks’ wonderful wife fed us coffee and donuts as we talked, and our friendship grew that unforgettable week. I would guess that few ophthalmologists have had as good an outcome of their board emanations as I did, simply because I met a wonderful friend. We have done joint projects on a number of important things for ophthalmology since then, and lectured together all over the world. David was a beacon of inspiration and a wonderful friend. He has been living in Charleston, South Carolina, with his dear and devoted wife, Ann, who was with him when he died. David contributed an incredible amount to ophthalmology, particularly implantology, and was one of the giants of IIIC. I will miss him a lot,” Steve A. Arshinoff, MD, FRCSC.

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