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1960s
From the late 1950s to the early 1960s, Figure 2. Founding
there was a core group of ASO Found- Fathers of Ocularistry,
ing Fathers who devoted their time and Bottom row left to right,
resources to getting the ASO ‘off and Gertrude Ritter, Conrad
running’. Hugh Laubheimer, Charlie Nolle, Henry Gouglemann,
Erickson, Fritz Jardon, Lee Allen, Fritz Hugh Laubheimer, Earl
Mueller, William Danz, Earle Schreiber, Schreiber, Alma Schreiber,
Henry Gougelmann, G.T. Danz, Robert Fritz Mueller. Top row left,
Bill Danz, Charlie Erickson,
Scott, Joe Soper, Fred Lewis, Lothar Lothar Greiner, Fritz Jardon.
Greiner, and Ted Danz were all very
active in the Society until apathy and
disinterest became a part of the group in the mid
1960’s (Figure 2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8).1 Interest in the ASO
was slowly fading by that time and among some of the
crucial Charter members. Meeting attendance was
falling as the discussions were repetitive, information
somewhat guarded, and the meetings were mostly a
social club for those attending. Dues were not well
collected, and money was running short. Those who
did attend the meetings were directly financing the
costs of those meetings. Hugh Laubheimer, the ASO’s Figure 3.
first President and Chair for the initial five meetings, Hugh Laubheimer
became discouraged and dropped away from the
group. By 1968, an ultimatum was issued to the group
that they needed to either pay more and join in or give Figure 4. Charlie Erickson
up. Fortunately, more ocularists joined the group and and Mrs. Erickson.
as a result the society was able to continue operations.
There was a suggestion by some to allow opticians,
who occasionally fit stock eyes, to join the society as
a way to finance the ASO. However, this motion was
voted down. The ASO was to be governed by ocularists
who devoted at least 51% of their practice to ocularis-
try. It was not until the late 1960’s that John Kelley, Sr. Figure 5. Fritz Jardon
and Chuck Workman were able to successfully recruit
new members and as a result the ASO grew.

1970s Figure 6. Lee Allen
In 1971, the ASO held its first mid-year meeting in
Montreal, Quebec. During the next decade, this
meeting was followed by Freeport, Bahamas, 1972;
Acapulco, Mexico, 1973; Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
1974; Phoenix, Arizona, 1975; New Orleans, Louisiana,
1976; Montreal, Quebec, 1977; Fort Lauderdale, Flori-
da, 1978; St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, 1979; and San Figure 7. Earle Schreiber
Juan, Puerto Rico, 1980. As the conferences were held
twice a year and the courses presented were becom-
ing progressively interesting, the membership of the
ASO grew significantly. This increased revenue and
required more volunteer involvement in the organi-
zation’s activities. More ophthalmic plastic surgeons Figure 8. Robert Scott

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