Bruce Kastner, OD

Bruce Kastner, MS, OD passed away on Saturday March 25, 2017. He was a long time member of the AOA and the NJSOP. Dr. Kastner was born to an optometrist, but he started in the profession later in life as his first career involved working at Schering Plough for nearly ten years.  Bruce earned his Bachelor's degree from Lafayette College and was President of the Lafayette marching band. He also attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where he earned his Master's degree. Bruce graduated PCO in 1989 and did a residency at the Feinbloom Center in 1990. While at PCO Bruce was very active in the NJOA student association as served as their president when he was a third year student, and receiving NJOA’s special recognition award for his service. Upon licensure in New Jersey he joined his father's optometric practice in Iselin. In 1999, he was selected as NJSOP’s Young Optometrist of the year for his work on with the Legislative Committee. Bruce was the consummate advocate for optometry.  He was originally appointed by Governor McGreevy to be a liaison to the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and was reappointed by Governor Christie as the Commissioner of Human Service Designee and New Jersey Commission for the Blind Representative. Bruce was also a consultant to New Jersey Medicaid. In all his positions he always had 2 goals: (1) helping the public and (2) advocating for Optometry. He was well respected in the political world, being an NJSOP Key Person for the legislature. Bruce served as adjunct faculty for PCO, Montclair State University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. He contributed to the Lighthouse Handbook for Vision Impairment and Low Vision Services.  In 2017, Dr. Kastner’s peers posthumously chose him for the E.C. Nurock Award in grateful recognition of his invaluable contributions to the visual welfare of the community, the association, and the profession of optometry.