William O. Edward [Albuquerque Journal, N.M.]

Jan. 09--Dr. William O. Edward flew into clouds produced by atomic explosions during the 1950s, but most enjoyed showering attention on patients at his Albuquerque ophthalmology practice, his son said.

Edward, who died Jan. 1 at age 81, remained in practice for 44 years, retiring only five years before his death, John Edward said Friday.

"He loved his work ," Edward said about his father. " It wasn't really work for him because he loved it so much."

Watching out for his patients' best interests sometimes involved doing battle with insurance companies unwilling to pay for a procedure or a hospital reluctant to invest in state-of-the-art equipment, he said.

"He was a tiger for his patients and his patients knew it," John Edward said. "If he saw something wrong being done to someone else, he spoke up. Sometimes he did it at potential political risk to himself."

Edward was motivated by devotion to his patients.

"He just adored his patients and his patients adored him," Edward said. "He loved saving eyesight and improving people's eyesight."

Edward also was devoted to family and friends. "He was somebody who was extremely fulfilled by his family and his friendships."

Edward graduated from Yale College in 1951 and Yale Medical School in 1955. He received post-graduate training at the University of Utah, followed by an ophthalmology residency at the University of California at San Francisco.

Edward served in the Air Force as a flight surgeon at Kirtland Air Force Base in 1957-58.

During that time, Edward helped study the effects of radiation from nuclear blasts, flying aboard aircraft that passed through atomic clouds during tests in Nevada, the younger Edward said.

The experience left Edward with lifelong concern for the effects of radioactive contamination on the environment, he said.

After completing his ophthalmology residency, Edward considered job offers from across the country. He decided to practice in New Mexico in 1962 after reading a moving description of the state in Willa Cather's novel, "Death Comes for the Archbishop."

He remained in practice here from 1962 to 2006, cofounding the New Mexico Eye Clinic at 1100 Lead SE in the 1970s.

Edward was co-founder and organizer of the Aspen Retinal Detachment Society, an international organization for the study of the retina founded in 1972.

Edward is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Lou Edward, his daughters, Dr. Robin M. Edward and Carol Myers, son, John B. Edward, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Friday.

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