Dr. Homer Baker Field, 85, an ophthalmologist and professor of ophthalmology, was a pioneer in cataract surgery. He also worked with Dr. Lester Fisher, director emeritus of Lincoln Park Zoo, to develop ophthalmic surgery techniques on primates and other large animals.
A resident of Sarasota, Fla., and formerly of Blue Island, he died Friday in a hospital in Sarasota.
Dr. Field, a native of Mitchell, Ind., graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1930. He later funded a major scholarship there.
He received a master’s degree and his medical degree from Northwestern University.
During World War II, he spent 17 months on the staff of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. He specialized in eyes, ears, nose and throat and was a personal physician to MacArthur.
He later specialized in cataract surgery, and he helped develop several new techniques used in removing cataracts.
He co-founded the Field Clinic, which later became the Blue Island Medical Center.
Dr. Field was a professor of opthalmology at Northwestern University Medical School.
Among the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo on which he helped operate was the famous gorilla, Bushman, said Dr. Field’s nephew, Robert Field.
He retired in 1976.
His wife, Ruth, is his only immediate survivor.
Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Krueger Funeral Home, 13050 Greenwood Ave., Blue Island.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.
