Class of 1970 Commemorative Biographical Book

D AV I D O . M A Z U R

Continued

National Eye Institute, and the numerous ophthalmology programs in the region (including Wilmer) added to the satisfaction and enjoyment of my work. The result: with no original interest in the military, I found myself actually extending my military service well beyond mandatory retirement (I had to beg a bit to do that!) and finally retired after 40 years of active duty in the Navy. In retrospect I can’t believe how much more enjoyable and professionally satisfying it all was, compared with my expectations with draft notice in hand! In the course of my earlier training I took a 12-week basic science course in ophthalmology in the summertime on the campus of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. We stayed in a nearby lake cottage, and a love affair with Maine began that continued to this day. We found our own cottage a few years later, and now it is our summer home for five months of the year and a delight for our children and grandchildren as well. We moved to our downsized, empty next home in Arlington, VA in 2005 and love the Washington D.C. area’s many attractions (politics excluded). I was anxious about retirement and excess free time, but my concerns vanished with the arrival of the first of our three grandchildren just as I retired. Since our children and grandchildren all live within 15 minutes of us, we are delighted to be babysitters, playmates, or whatever is needed. My time is also divided among both usual and unusual activities. I still teach at USUHS, but it is only a modest commitment. I spend more time curling – a sport that is great fun as well as being very social – and belong to the local curling club. I also enjoy other sports – Janet and I, as well as our children particularly love hockey, and are long time season ticket holders for our beloved Washington Capitals. In 1996 my sons and I went to the Olympic games in Atlanta, and enjoyed it so much we have continued to attend every Olympic games we can. Although work made me miss a few before retirement, we have made it to all the games from Vancouver to upcoming Tokyo, typically seeing 30 or so events each time. I am very proud and grateful to have been part of the Blaze of Glory class! I saw the generosity and caring of our class clearly on a trip to Cuba with many classmates, led by Bob Lerer, to provide health care and education.

What other class has elected so many fine alternatives to traditional reunions by taking river cruises, overseas trips, and other ways to get us together? Ron and Donna Oser deserve very special thanks from us for keeping us all connected!

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