Upper Arlington in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Claude S. Perry, MD
1899-1995
— Medical innovator, champion for the blind, distinguished veteran —
Dr. Perry gave others the gift of sight through the many roles he held in addition to running his opthalmology practice, where he often provided services free of charge.
Early in his career, Dr. Perry played a significant role in enactment of the 1934 fireworks law, which essentially eliminated instances of child blindness due to fireworks injuries. At the age of 41, he enlisted in the US Army to serve in WWII and achieved the rank of colonel. He received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and other recognitions after his hospital, the 76th General Hospital, was bombed in the Battle of the Bulge. The bombing destroyed all the glass spheres to replace eyeballs, and Dr. Perry formulated the idea of using dental acrylic as a replacement, which was found to be a superior practice.
After WWII, he served as professor of opthalmology at OSU, and as an opthalmologist for the Ohio State Welfare Department and Ohio School for the Blind. Claude and his wife Esther Jo Shipley went on multiple medical missionary trips to Africa later in his career.
Dr. Perry continued his private practice work until 1975 and was named professor emeritus at OSU and honorary doctor of science at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Erected by Upper Arlington Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Science & Medicine • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Military Order of the Purple Heart series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 40° 1.89′ N, 83° 3.087′ W. Marker is in Upper Arlington, Ohio, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of Tremont Road and Kenny Road, on the right when traveling north on Tremont Road. The marker is on the Wall of Honor at Upper Arlington Municipal Services Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3600 Tremont Rd, Columbus OH 43220, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bertha A. Bouroncle, MD (here, next to this marker); Mary Egerton Miller (here, next to this marker); Jeanne (McCoy) Purnhagen Schaal (here, next to this marker); John Austin Dunkel (here, next to this marker); Norman O. Rothermich, MD (here, next to this marker); James Turrell Miller (here, next to this marker); George R. Haddad (here, next to this marker); Dave Thomas (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Arlington.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2023, by Mark Moxley-Knapp of Columbus, Ohio. This page has been viewed 45 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2023, by Mark Moxley-Knapp of Columbus, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.