Dr. Calvin Eugene “Gene” Roseboom

October 10, 1924 – March 12, 2004

Calvin Eugene (Gene) Roseboom, age 79, died Friday, March 12, 2004 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.

Born in Enid, Oklahoma, on Nov. 10, 1924, he was the son of Calvin McDowell and Agnes Aileen (Ryland) Roseboom. He graduated from the Perry high school in 1942. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1946 with many memorable stories and lifelong friends.

Following his discharge he attended the University of Oklahoma and worked for Phillips Petroleum as an engineer. He returned to university at Pacific University School of Optometry, graduated in 1953, and established a private practice in Del City.

As a member of the Oklahoma Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association for 43 years, he served on the national practice management committee. For a number of years, he was a member of the Tinker Toastmaster’s and later was a frequent speaker at optometric association seminars.

He was a long time member of the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City.

Gene was a very creative person. He loved stained glass, dancing, song writing, and most recently had developed into an accomplished jewelry designer. He found great joy in fishing, card playing, and those great one on one discussions with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife Margaret; son and daughter in law, Kennneth Wayne and Gwen Roseboom, and their two children, David and Rebecca of Houston, TX; son, Edward Marshall Roseboom of San Carlos, CA; several aunts, Martha Hendren of Oklahoma City; Mae Ryland of Edmond and Susie Ryland of Crescent; and numerous cousins and other relatives across the country.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 15, 2004, at The First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the charity of your choice, the First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City, or Pacific University College of Optometry, 2043 College Way, UC Box 670, Forest Grove, OR 97116.