Department News

We gratefully acknowledge our donors to the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute in memory of Charles I. Young. Please visit our Recent Gifts page to see the list of our donors.


Dear Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary Community,

Mr. Charles I. YoungIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Charles I Young, a great friend and generous benefactor to this department.

Mr. Young served as District Governor of Lions International and under his tenure, he successfully Co-Chaired a $5.3 million campaign to build the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute, dedicated in 1985. Currently the LIERI is the major site of vision research on the UIC campus housing vision researchers supported by more than 35 sponsored programs.

“The contributions to vision science by Mr. Young and his fellow Lions are immeasurable,” said Dr. Dimitri Azar, head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. “His selfless efforts to create a building dedicated to eye research have helped to push the boundaries of what we know about vision and eye disease. We are deeply indebted to him,” Dr. Azar added.

In 1984, Charles I. Young was presented with The University of Illinois’ Presidential Award and Medallion to recognize his outstanding contribution to the University as a Co-Chair of the Lions of Illinois fund raising campaign.   Under Mr. Young’s leadership, the generosity of the Lions of Illinois to the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences was the primary source of support for the creation of the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute in 1985.

Lions’ philanthropy raised nearly $6.5 million for the construction of the building and for an endowed chair. In 1992, the Lions of Illinois endowed the first chair in the department, named the Illinois Lions/Charles I. Young Chair in Ocular Research, which is currently held by Harris Ripps Phd, DSc. Dr. Ripps’ research focuses on the subcellular basis of inherited retinal disorders; structural and functional properties of retinal neurons and glia, mechanisms of inter-cellular communication via chemical and electrical synapses.

A personal note from Harris Ripps, DSc, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Charles I. Young/Illinois Lions Chair of Ocular Research, 1993-2007

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UIC lost one of its greatest champions and generous benefactors with the passing of Charles I Young. Mr. Young was a towering figure in the affairs of the Lions International, an organization devoted to the eradication of blinding diseases, as well as in numerous charitable and educational programs throughout Illinois. He championed the fundraising efforts of the Lions of Illinois that resulted, in 1985, in the construction of the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute, a splendid up-to-date research facility that attracted me to UIC that year. I can think of no more fitting personal tribute to Mr. Young than that which I penned in 1993, when selected as the first recipient of the Illinois Lions/Charles I. Young Chair in Ocular Research. On that occasion, I wrote that the endowed chair was "A singular honor for which I am profoundly grateful. Even more significant is the recognition given by the Lions of Illinois in perpetuity to one of its esteemed members, Charles I. Young, who worked tirelessly and so effectively to establish the endowed chair, and who earlier had spearheaded the fund raising campaign that led to the construction of the Lions of Illinois Eye Institute at UIC. These accomplishments exemplify the commitment to the support of research in ophthalmology and visual sciences that has been the hallmark of the Lions' service program. I am proud to be associated with this prestigious organization.

The Lions of Illinois, by virtue of these extraordinary commitments, is one of the largest donors to the university and the largest single contributor to the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences. This legacy of giving is deeply appreciated by the university and it is particularly meaningful as it is in keeping with the Lions’ historic mission of being “the Knights of the blind” that was established 80 years ago in collaboration with the legendary Helen Keller.

The family has suggested memorial gifts to the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute. Gifts should be made online. Otherwise, they should be made payable to UIF/LIERI and forwarded to Pat Wager, UIC College of Medicine Development Office, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, Suite 302, Chicago, IL  60608

For additional information contact Pat Wager (312) 413-9763 or pwager@uic.edu

Obituary for Charles I. Young

Charles I. Young, 91, of Fairview Heights, IL, born February 19, 1917, in Belleville, IL, died Wednesday, October 1, 2008, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Mr. Young retired as owner/operator of Young Lumber Company. He was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, where he was the Trustee for 45 years, a member of the Men’s Club, and received the Man of the Year award. He was also the finance committee chairman and building and grounds chairman at St. Henry’s. Charles was a member of the board of directors at Boatmen’s Bank for 24 years.   He was also a member of the board of directors at McKendree College for 12 years, recipient of the outstanding achievement award, and co-chairman of the capital campaign to build the convocation center. He was the chairman of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital drive in 1970 and raised over one and one-quarter million dollars to cover cost of the expansion program. He was the president of Laymen’s Association of Our Lady of the Snows for 10 years and the chairman of the campaign to build the gift shop, restaurant, and motel. He was the chairman of the capital campaign to build Althoff Catholic High School, president of Althoff Catholic High School board of directors for 10 years, chairman of the school’s endowment drive, the organizer and general chairman for 12 years of the Althoff Benefit Dinner, the recipient of Althoff’s Man of the Year award for dedication of service as member of the board, and recipient of the first special service award given by the school in 1998. He was the charter chairman of the Diocesan School board, the chairman of the Diocesan Service appeal under Bishop Cosgrove, and the parish chairman of the Diocesan capital campaign; A Future Full of Hope. He served as president for 20 years at St. John’s Day Care Center, Belleville, IL. He was the co-chairman of the campaign to build the monastery for the Poor Clare Sisters. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the bishops’ crosier society, and the bishops’ advisory committee. While District Governor of Lions International, Charles was the only governor, out of 678 governors, to receive all international service awards, as well as the only one to be recognized as a three star governor. He was also the state chairman responsible for the successful five million dollar campaign to build the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute, dedicated in 1985 on the medical campus of the University of Illinois, Chicago, IL. He was the chairman of the capital campaign to generate one and one-half million dollars to underwrite professional chair program, which is named the Lions of Illinois Charles I. Young endowed chair for ocular research. He was a board member of the University of Illinois Eye Center, a member of the president’s council of the University of Illinois, and a member of the management campaign to build the YMCA.   

He was preceded in death by his son, Bruce Young; his parents, Charles and Mary, nee Harst, Young; and two brothers, Leroy and William Young.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy, nee Dohrman, Young, whom he married July 19, 1941; his son, Dave (Marilyn) Young of Swansea, IL; his two daughters, Bonnie (Ken) Crossley of Fairview Heights, IL, and Susie (Mike) Haywood of Kirkwood, MO; five grandchildren, John (Christy) Crossley, Kate (Brian Harris) Crossley, Chris (Jennifer) Young, Jenny (Eric) Thompson, and Brian Haywood; four great-grandchildren, Charlie and Abby Crossley, David Young, and Madeline Thompson; and his brother, John F. (Ann) Young of Belleville, IL.

Memorials may be made to the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute, UIC College of Medicine Development Office, 1747 West Roosevelt Road Suite 302, Chicago, IL  60608, or to the Catholic Urban Program, Memorial and Gift Fund, 771 Vogel Place, East St. Louis, IL  62205. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.