Cornelius E. McCole ’47

He majored in premed at Princeton and went on to medical school at Penn, a fellowship at Johns Hopkins, and a distinguished career as an ophthalmologist.

In 1954, he joined Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and soon became chair of its ophthalmology department, which he built into a nationally recognized center of excellence. His friends at Ford Motor Co. rewarded his achievements by endowing a staff position bearing Con’s name.

Con marched to the beat of a different drum. He was a great admirer of Teddy Roosevelt and St. Thomas Aquinas and a self-described “humanist” who helped impecunious youngsters achieve a higher education. He also became a recognized scholar in fields of philosophy and theology.

He disdained ideological purism. When talking to conservatives he would flourish his ACLU membership card; among liberals, it was his NRA card. He often remarked, “If you want an opinion, ask a man; if you want action, ask a woman.”

Con never married. He is survived by his brother, John, and his wife; and his niece, Arlene Elztroth. We send them our sympathy.