H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr.

H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and an internationally recognized glaucoma specialist, passed away peacefully at his home in Belvedere, California, on January 27th, 2024. He was 84 years old.

Dr. Hoskins was born on Sep 5, 1939, in Lynchburg, VA to H. Dunbar Hoskins Sr., MD, and Eleanor Rose Chesley Hoskins. He attended the Virginia Military Institute, and then followed in his father’s footsteps to pursue a career in ophthalmology, graduating from the Medical College of Virginia in 1965 and completing his glaucoma specialty training at the University of California at San Francisco under Dr. Robert N. Shaffer. He joined Dr. Shaffer’s private practice in San Francisco and became a clinical professor emeritus of ophthalmology at UCSF.

Dr. Hoskins was a pioneer and leader in the field of ophthalmology and glaucoma, having authored or coauthored more than 80 publications and presented more than 350 invited lectures around the world. He was the executive vice president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the founding director and director emeritus of the Glaucoma Research Foundation, and a founding director of the American Glaucoma Society. He also served as the chairman of St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco, the chairman of the board of Mercy Services Corp., the founder and chairman of Medicom Corporation, and was a retired lieutenant commander in the United States Naval Reserve.

Dr. Hoskins was a recipient of numerous awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to ophthalmology and glaucoma, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s single highest honor, the Laureate Award, as well as the AAO Lifetime Achievement Award, the AAO Distinguished Service Award, the Catalyst Award from the Glaucoma Research Foundation, and the Robert N. Shaffer Award from UCSF. In 2009, in his honor, the AAO opened the H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD Center for Quality Eye Care to promote accessibility to and appropriateness of eye-care services.

Dunbar lived on the Tiburon Peninsula for over 45 years and was a loving and devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. He had a passion for golfing, traveling and reading. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Dr. Hoskins is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann Reider Hoskins; his children, Talbott Hoskins Roche (and her spouse James Roche), Eleanor Ruffin Hoskins, Horace Chesley (Chad) Hoskins (and his spouse Eliza Niles Hoskins, MD); his grandchildren, Caroline, Griffin, Haley and Jackson; and his brother Charles Robert Hoskins.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the AAO Foundation at 655 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 or the Glaucoma Research Foundation at 251 Post Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94108.