Richard A. Falls
April 22, 1933 ~ August 31, 2019
On August 31, 2019, Richard Alfred Falls, MD (Dick) 86, of McLean, VA passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dick grew up in his beloved Binghamton, NY and graduated from North High School. While in high school, Dick enjoyed playing clarinet and saxophone with his band, the Blue Notes. Dick graduated from Saint Bonaventure University in 1955 and received his medical degree from University of Buffalo. He did his Ophthalmology training at Georgetown University after Internship at Indiana University. He was drafted to an Army posting in Okinawa and he was a proud member of the Tori medical society. He returned in 1965 to start his private practice in Falls Church.
An exemplary career followed, including being the longest serving Chief of Ophthalmology at Fairfax Hospital, doing the first cataract lens implants at that location and eventually helping to create the Woodburn Surgery Center. He has been an active Lions club member for over 40 years and that commitment to Sight and Hearing conservation led to the creation of the Lions Eye Clinic for indigent care in 1974. He oversaw the incredible growth of the ophthalmology service at Fairfax Hospital and earned many professional accolades. He transformed the lives of many patients.
The VLEIF (Virginia Lions Eye Institute Foundation) became a major focus for Dr Falls and he helped it grow to the wonderful Institution that it is today. He was a member of many local medical groups including the NVAO, Fairfax County Medical society and the Academy of Ophthalmology. He retired from active practice in 2008 but his legacy lives on.
Dick is survived by Joan, his loving wife and best friend of nearly 62 years, his four sons, Mark (Morgan), Scott (Elizabeth), Rick (Dee) and Jonathan (Caitlin) and seven grandchildren, Megan, Sarah, Adam, Lauren, Kate, Isabelle and Zachary.
Visitation will be Friday, September 6 from 5-8pm at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 7 at 11 am at St. Luke Catholic Church.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Virginia Lions Eye Institute Foundation.
VLEIF
c/o Lion Sandy Armendaris
7623 Virginia Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22043-3202
Online condolences and fond memories of Dick may be offered to the family at
www.moneyandking.com
Dick grew up in his beloved Binghamton, NY and graduated from North High School. While in high school, Dick enjoyed playing clarinet and saxophone with his band, the Blue Notes. Dick graduated from Saint Bonaventure University in 1955 and received his medical degree from University of Buffalo. He did his Ophthalmology training at Georgetown University after Internship at Indiana University. He was drafted to an Army posting in Okinawa and he was a proud member of the Tori medical society. He returned in 1965 to start his private practice in Falls Church.
An exemplary career followed, including being the longest serving Chief of Ophthalmology at Fairfax Hospital, doing the first cataract lens implants at that location and eventually helping to create the Woodburn Surgery Center. He has been an active Lions club member for over 40 years and that commitment to Sight and Hearing conservation led to the creation of the Lions Eye Clinic for indigent care in 1974. He oversaw the incredible growth of the ophthalmology service at Fairfax Hospital and earned many professional accolades. He transformed the lives of many patients.
The VLEIF (Virginia Lions Eye Institute Foundation) became a major focus for Dr Falls and he helped it grow to the wonderful Institution that it is today. He was a member of many local medical groups including the NVAO, Fairfax County Medical society and the Academy of Ophthalmology. He retired from active practice in 2008 but his legacy lives on.
Dick is survived by Joan, his loving wife and best friend of nearly 62 years, his four sons, Mark (Morgan), Scott (Elizabeth), Rick (Dee) and Jonathan (Caitlin) and seven grandchildren, Megan, Sarah, Adam, Lauren, Kate, Isabelle and Zachary.
Visitation will be Friday, September 6 from 5-8pm at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 7 at 11 am at St. Luke Catholic Church.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Virginia Lions Eye Institute Foundation.
VLEIF
c/o Lion Sandy Armendaris
7623 Virginia Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22043-3202
Online condolences and fond memories of Dick may be offered to the family at
www.moneyandking.com
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Dr. Falls did both my cataract surgeries. He was a very kind and gentle person and highly skilled as well…I used to tell friends and family that my eye doctor was Dr. Falls on Falls Road in Falls Church….. Great guy…… Al Humphries
Sincerest dondolences to the family. I am blessed for 58 years of shared friendship and experiences. Your tennis group is waiting on the other side Mack MACK REYNOLDS MD
a great doctor and a great man who will be sorely missed. Sincere condolence Annie Lee Powell
Over the course of a lifetime the roads we travel take us on a path through and around a host of people and experiences that shape the memories of our own lives. One of our dearest encounters was the inexplicable meeting of a couple from Virginia with another from New York. Dick and Joan Falls were to become two people we would grow to cherish as a gift from the heavens. Kind, gracious, generous, charitable, caring and best of all fun to be with and share time and story. Our hearts are shattered at the loss of Dick as a cherished friend and the pain and sadness residing in Joan’s heart. Like the family, our lives will always be better for knowing Dick and empty with him gone. Sydelle and Barry
Having been a long standing patient of Dr Falls for a good many years before his deserved retirement, he seemed to take a genuine interest in the lives of those who got to know him. We had a lot in common in our love of the sea; he would share with me recollections of his annual cruise aboard cruise ships; we often shared “sea stories “which both of us seemed to enjoy. My deepest condolences to the family on your loss Bob Strange
dr. Fall’s contributions were many & I’m so glad he was my ophthalmologist; I am glad to be a patient of his son, Mark. My deepest condolences to all the members of the Falls family. Beatrice Wiesner
Dear Joan and Mark, I have the greatest personal and professional respect for Dick. He and two other doctors were my image of Georgetown University Ophthalmology Department when I came to Washington in 1970. He was also a fine leader and example for all the doctors at Fairfax Hospital Section of Ophthalmology. I loved seeing you at Dick at the social meetings and always having a good laugh. He will be much missed by all. It seems impossible now, but I pray that friends, church, faith, staying busy, and time will easy our hearts is this sad time. John Karickhoff, M.D.
Sending prayers to Joan and Family during this difficult time. I will cherish those memories of our dinners in Dover. He will be truly missed. Lisa Robinson
Dear Joan, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. So glad to know that you have many friends and family to comfort you during this time, and going forward. I think of you often. Love, Candace Farstad
Dr Falls was the first ophthalmologist that I went to when we moved to the area. We had tennis conversations which we both played. He was the best, easy to talk to and his recommendation for my dry eye condition was a huge help. He will be missed.
Dear Joan, We’re so sorry to hear about the passing of Dick. We have such fond memories of our time shared on Old Cedar Road. He was a wonderful friend and neighbor and will be missed dearly. M.-A., Cari & Rinnie Lucas
I went to Dr. Richard Falls from 1969 through 2008. There was no kinder or more gentlemanly person I have ever known, though his son Mark to whom I now go is a very close second.
A candle was lit for the decedent.