John R. Lofgren O.D. died peacefully at home on Jan. 6, 2014 from complications arising from Multiple System Atrophy, a severe form of Parkinson’s disease. He was 73.

He was born in Jordan, Mont. on June 1, 1940, the only child of Walter and Dorothy Lofgren. He was raised in Bremerton, Washington and graduated in 1958 from East High School. He was a graduate of Olympic College and Pacific University, Forest Grove, Ore. He received his doctorate of Optometry from Pacific University in 1966.

He married Judy Mustonen of Bremerton at Emanuel Lutheran Church on Aug. 24, 1962. After graduation they lived in Tacoma where John worked as an optometrist for one year, knowing that the Department of Defense would begin the first ever draft of optometrists, as well as many others in the health care field. This was while the Vietnam War was escalating and many young men were also being drafted. He was drafted into the Army in late 1967 – the first optometrist ever drafted in Washington state. He served two years at Fort Jackson, S.C., an Army induction center.

John and Judy have two children, Lawrence Lofgren of Bainbridge Island, and Jennifer (Stephen) Bowe of Chicago, Ill. They also have two grandchildren, Nicolas Lofgren and Peter Bowe.

They lived in Springfield, Ill. for 33 years where John was a partner of Sangamon Eye Associates, a group eye practice with three optometrists and three ophthalmologists. Before retirement he worked for a brief period at Vision Eye Care in Springfield.

After retirement, John and Judy moved to Bainbridge Island, in 1999. John worked part time as an optometrist at Seattle Vision, the Washington Department of Corrections at the Shelton Correctional Center and the Naval Hospital in Bremerton. He fully retired six years ago when the first signs of his illness became apparent.

He was a person of many interests and talents. He enjoyed singing in choirs and choral groups and played the trumpet through high school. He was a tennis player, hiker, biker, mountain climber, skier and water skier. He loved performances, travel and good restaurants. He also enjoyed his ski boat, canoe, kayak and anything outdoors.

Donations can be made to Kitsap Hospice or Helpline. A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date for family and close friends.