George Franklin Dill

George Franklin Dill passed away on March 4, 2022 at Mills-Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame, California. He was 71 years old.

George was a graduate of the University of the Pacific in Stockton (BA and BS), then he received his MA Endocrinology at UCSF. He then received his O.D. degree at UC Berkeley School of Optometry, where he was President, Class of 1978. He practiced Optometry in San Mateo for several years until his dexterity began to deteriorate, interfering with his ability to perform the necessary tests of an optometrist.

Born in Arkansas, he lived in Williamsville, New York and later in San Rafael, CA where he graduated from San Rafael High School.

From a very young age, George showed talent at sketching and painting. As a teenager he bought a motorcycle and drove it to school each day. In his adult life he became an excellent portrait photographer. He worked as a tour guide in San Francisco for a short time during graduate school.

While still in his twenties, George was stricken with a rare spinal cord condition called Syringomyelia. Over the years he underwent a series of spinal cord operations until he was unable to continue his optometry practice in San Mateo and eventually became a quadriplegic and was confined to bed.

He lived for more than 35 years in San Mateo under the care of a wonderful woman named Dora Moreno. She and her husband Raul raised a family (son Kevin and daughter Katrina) while caring for George in their home.

With the advancement of technology, George was able to control his computer and television with the sound of his voice. Thus he stayed in touch with the world and many acquaintances.

George will be remembered for his kindness, and patience, as well as his quirky sense of humor. He was able to accept his paralysis with smiles and without a lot of complaining about his plight in life. He loved Science Fiction and anything connected to Lord of the Rings.

He is survived by his parents, Frank and Mary Dill, residents of San Rafael; as well as by his sister, Dr. Christine Gazulis, and her husband Ted of Tiburon; his nephews, Nicholas Gazulis and Matthew Gazulis of Herndon, Virginia and Tiburon respectively. He also is survived by two great-nieces Julia and Maryse, and one great-nephew, Jonathan.