Joel A. Kraut ’58

Joel died Dec. 8, 2004.

At Princeton he was a member of Whig-Clio, secretary of the International Relations Club, and a member of Terrace. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated cum laude. He then earned a medical degree from Columbia University. After an internship at Bellevue and residency at Boston University Medical Center, he served with the 5th Air Force in Japan.

Joining Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in 1968, he later was on the faculties of Harvard and Tufts medical schools.

At Massachusetts Eye and Ear he established and directed the internationally recognized Vision Rehabilitation Center. His dream was to make vision rehabilitation available worldwide. Patients and friends set up the Joel A. Kraut Teaching and Research Fund to train visiting doctors in this often-neglected specialty.

Joel was appointed to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and received its Honor Achievement Award. He also served as president of the Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. In 2004 he was named Man of the Year by the New England Society of Eye Surgeons and Physicians.

Joel was a dedicated, caring, and compassionate physician, humanitarian, and visionary, beloved by patients and colleagues throughout the Boston community. To his wife, Ellie; son David; daughter Amy; and his sister, mother, and grandchildren, we offer sincere condolences.

The Class of 1958