NSUCO - The Visionary Spring 2012

THE V ISIONARY • S PRING 2012 — 13 Individual Recollections “I knew Stan when he worked at Nova as well as seeing him regularly at meetings. He would always tell me, ‘Rick, what you are doing is deep therapy; it might take longer, but you will help the person more.’ It took me years to figure out what that meant. He would also yell at me regarding my diet—I believe Stan subsided on tree bark. He still motivates me.” ...Rick J. Morris, O.D., FCOVD “Stan was a dedicated Italophile. He visited Italy many times as both a visiting professor and student of Italian art and culture. Stan would often exhort me to ‘go to Italy, Joe, it’s in your blood!’ I visit Italy once a year, usu- ally ending up in Florence—Stan’s favorite city.” ...Joseph Pizzimenti, O.D. “Dr. Crossman was one of those instructors who made a positive impact on his students. He was a remarkable educator who had a clear passion for teaching and an infectious love and understanding of the complexities of binocular vision and vision therapy. His teachings were balanced combining both classical and behavioral optometric philosophies. Dr. Crossman was more than an educator; he was a friend whose compassion for his students and patients was evident both in and out of the classroom and clinic. Dr. Crossman’s passing is a true loss to our profession; however he still lives on in those who knew him. Dr. Crossman is alive in every MEM I perform, every CI I treat, and every child I help. He lives on in all those who he has taught, and he will be dearly missed.” ...Gregory M. Fecho, O.D. “I first met Stan when I interviewed at NSUCO (then Southeastern). Stan made it a point to show me the campus and even called me afterward to encourage me to think about joining the Nova faculty. His support was one of the key reasons I decided to come. Stan Crossman was a thoughtful teacher, colleague, and friend and a caring mentor to students and younger faculty members. His love of the profession and of the value of developmental vision was clear to everyone whose path he crossed. Stan took great pleasure in explaining concepts and applications to stu- dents and residents. He also made a point of nurturing those around him—asking about their families, life chal- lenges, and goals—and was well-respected nationally by his fellow educators. He gave much to the college in its early stages to create an environment in which pe- diatric optometry and vision therapy could thrive and was integral to the development of the pediatric op- tometry residency. He will be missed.” ...Rachel “Stacey” Coulter, O.D., FAAO, FCOVD “Stan Crossman had two full careers in optometry. His first career was in private practice; his second as an ed- ucator. He excelled at both. Stan’s passion for develop- mental vision was evident in the enthusiasm he had while teaching. He was able to impart his wisdom and knowledge on thousands of students in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Italy. He also had other interests he was pas- sionate about. He was well-versed in nutrition, fitness, neurology, and posture and incorporated all of those into behavioral and developmental optometry. Stan was a mentor to many students. His ability to help students understand that treating patients meant caring for them as a whole person—not just as a pair of eye- balls . He also spent endless hours instructing students who were struggling to grasp concepts fromhis courses. However, Stan’s greatest quality was his ability to see the good in everyone. He had exceptional energy and verve, which did not wane throughout the day. He treated everyone with respect and greeted everyone with a smile. His thirst for knowledge and his love of life will be missed. He will live on through optometrists, all over the world, who practice developmental and be- havioral optometry with his beliefs and teachings.” ...Richard E. Sorkin, O.D., FAAO, FCOVD “Stan Crossman was the kind of teacher that taught from a wealth of knowledge and experience without a hint of arrogance or sense of superiority. His sincerity in wanting to help you grow as an individual both person- ally and professionally was appreciated by students and colleagues alike. He practiced behavioral optometry in a manner that was methodical, logical, and evidence- based, yet he was still able to discuss and teach the the- ories behind classical binocular vision practices at all levels. He was an ideal teacher in a pediatric/binocular vi- sion world that encompasses both ends of the wide spectrum of practice philosophies. Stan Crossman was a kind and gentle soul who will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him.” ...Yin C. Tea, O.D., FAAO