Alan passed away peacefully at Ipswich Hospital on July 11, 2013 with his family by his side after a short illness. Loving husband to Pam, loving father of Sarah and the late Patrick, father-in-law to Paul and Kate, much loved step father to Jason and his wife Eloise. Grandfather to Bella, Aphra and Logan, and brother-in-law to Eileen and Ken. He was a good friend to many.
Alan was a well known contact lens optician having his own practice at Sir Isaacs Walk, Colchester until 2011 and working at the Ipswich and Nuffield Hospitals for many years.
He started his career in contact lenses at the Contact Lens Clinic, the fitting side of Obrig’s UK, in Wilton Crescent Belgravia, London and later at Contact Lens Specialist Ltd at 72 Blandford Street. He was taught contact lens fitting by Tony Orpen Palmer and worked with David Thomas the General Manager of Obrig’s before he set up David Thomas Contact Lenses. Alan was involved in the fitting of contact lenses for David Coleman the BBC sports presenter and also members of the British Royal family.
Following the acquisition of Obrig’s, headed by Jack Gallimore of Smith & Nephew in 1970, Alan worked with them in Gilstone Park, near Harlow, Essex helping in the development of their soft lenses which were marketed under the Snoflex brand. In mid 1971 a deal was set up with Smith & Nephew supplying lenses to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) seven comprising UK, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Norway and Austria.
Alan first attended a congress of the International Society of Contact Lens Specialists in 2005 at St Paul de Vence becoming a member in 2006. He will be sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues and very much remembered for his sense of humour!