Lodi optometrist, 91, retires after 67 years
After more than six decades of improving and preserving the eyesight of thousands of patients, 91year-old optometrist Floyd Zastrow has retired.
“It’s a wonderful profession. It’s been good to me,” Zastrow said.
Zastrow’s interest in optometry was sparked during his time in the military. He joined the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17 during World War II. During his stint, he assisted with surgery at Corona Navy Hospital.
He started in the tuberculosis division of the hospital until a friend notified him of an opening in the eye, ear, nose and throat division. Zastrow was fortunate enough to snag the job and had the opportunity to assist on deviated nasal septums, tonsillectomies and cataract surgeries.
During this time, Zastrow met a fellow serviceman who had plans to attend optometry school after the military and shared the details of the career. They both applied for optometry school.
After being discharged from the Navy in 1946, Zastrow attended Mt. San Antonio College before going on to attend the University of Southern California and Pasadena City College.
He was then accepted to optometry school and attended the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in 1948. Zastrow graduated in 1950 and began working at the Los Angeles College of Optometry until 1953 when he became the clinic director.
In 1954, he became associated with Dr. E. W. Kurrlie, and together the two created props for Paramount, Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox in addition to practicing optometry.
“We made glasses for Barbara Bel Geddes. We did Louis Hayward and several others,” Zastrow said. “I always made two pairs just in case one was lost, because they couldn’t stop production of the film. It would cost too much money, so they always had a spare pair.”
In 1959, Zastrow opened his own optometry practice in the San Fernando Valley and practiced there until 1963 when he moved to Lodi.
He had his own practice in Lodi from 1963 until 2013, before closing and joining Zeiter Eye Medical Group where he retired last month.
Now that he has retired, he plans to spend more time with family and do a lot of dancing.
“We go dancing every week, but I get very tired,” he said.
He also plans to take a trip to Italy, which he has been visiting since 1995. He says his membership with the Lions Club will also keep him busy.