Bertram ‘Bert’ Widder, retired optometrist

Dr. Bertram “Bert” Widder, 81, of Wilmington, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, in Christiana Hospital following a massive stroke.

A long-time Dover optometrist, Dr. Widder had an office early in his career on Second Street in Lewes. He often spoke of the warm welcome given him by Mayor Al Stango and the residents of Lewes.

Dr. Widder was born May 6, 1930, in New York City, the son of Dr. Felix and Beatrice Widder.

He graduated from Stuyvestant High School in New York City, an elite school that specializes in math and science. He attended New York University in Manhattan and later graduated from the school of optometry at Columbia University.

He met the love of his life and his future wife, Barbara Diamond, at New York University, where both were members of the outdoors club. They were married for 35 years until her death in 1989. He was a devoted husband who took especially good care of Barbara following her diagnosis with terminal cancer.

A later marriage to Diane Levin ended in divorce.

Following medical school, he was an officer in the Air Force and served four years as an eye doctor at Dover Air Force Base. After being discharged from the Air Force, he and Barbara decided to make their home in Dover, where he began his private practice. In addition, he served many years as an eye doctor for the Delaware Correctional Center near Smyrna.

He enjoyed crossword puzzles, tennis, poker and going to movies at Theatre N in Wilmington. He had a joke for every occasion.

He is survived by a brother, Arnold Widder of Hawaii; and a sister Mona Korman of New York City; a daughter, Helen Flood (Don) of Lewes; a son, Russ (DeeAnn) of Dover; and three grandchildren, Josh Flood, and Hillary and Grace Widder.

Services will be private. He will be buried next to Barbara at the New Montefiore Cemetery on Long Island, N.Y. Memorial donations may be sent to Alzheimer's Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia PA 19106.