Harry Isaiah Zeltzer

Dr. Harry I. Zeltzer, 91, Optometrist, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in the Kaplan House, Danvers, following his brief illness. Harry will always be remembered for finding great joy in life. He was a visionary and a true renaissance man with a big heart, an inventor, webmaster, artist, fisherman, and sailor who loved to dance. Born in Dorchester on July 3, 1929, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Fannie (Kimmel) Zeltzer. During WWII, he was a medical technician in the Army of Occupation in Japan. Following his active service, he practiced optometry in Waltham for 35 years, where he invented and patented a contact lens named X-CHROM for treating color deficiency. He was a consultant to Helen Keller International in its development of "Childsight" and served at Natick Lab as a lieutenent colonel in the Army Reserves in the psychology department, studying the effects of military stress on the visual system. After retiring from practice and the military in 1986, he joined Volunteer Services for Humanity International, offering eye care in developing countries. In time, he became the president and executive director of the parent organization. Dr. Zeltzer was the Essilor-UNESCO Humanitarian in 2003. He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Ocular Science from the New England College of Optometry in 2004, from which he had graduated magna cum laude in 1952. In 2008, he was awarded the VOSH/International Lifetime Achievement Award. The award, now in his name, is conferred to other humanitarians. He was the adjunct professor of optometry in the Department of Specialty and Advanced Care at NECO, where he lectured and published articles on color deficiency that are referenced in the Revised X-CHROM manual for faculty and students. In addition to his devoted wife of 38 years, Joan E. Richards of Ipswich, Ma., he is survived by his children Lauren Zeltzer of Katonah, N.Y., and Darryl Zeltzer of Manchester; grandchildren Lisa Zeltzer Warren of Brooklyn, N.Y., Julia Zeltzer Warren of New York City, and Milo Zeltzer of Manchester; a sister, Betty Gray, of Danvers; stepson Bradford Kelly and his wife, Tracy, of Tampa, Fla.; and extended family. He was the brother of the late Abraham Zeltzer, formerly of Providence, R.I. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in his name to VOSH/International ( www.vosh.org ) or the New England College of Optometry ( www.neco.org ).