Dr. Dwayne D. Young of Webster Groves passed away from injuries sustained in a car accident, while on vacation with his family in upstate New York on October 23, 2022. He was 67-years-old, and is survived by his wife of 38 years, Paula Young (née Gember); daughters, Lauren Young and Kelsey Young; and son, Brian Young; as well as his sister, Marilyn Scheu; her husband, Bill Scheu; nieces Jeanne Hooper and Carly Porter; nephew Christopher Scheu; and five siblings-in-law, in addition to other dear family and friends. He was predeceased by his mother and father.
Born in St. Joseph, MI on December 17, 1954 and raised in South Bend, IN, Dwayne first pursued a physics degree at Purdue University before transferring to Indiana University in Bloomington to become an optometrist. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1978 and his Doctor of Optometry in 1980, and subsequently taught at the IU School of Optometry after completing his residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Newington, CT.
Dwayne and Paula met in fall 1982 through a Bloomington running club; the two were engaged in September 1983 and married on May 12, 1984. They bore three children: Lauren in 1988, Brian in 1991, and Kelsey in 1993.
Dwayne and Paula relocated to St. Louis, MO in 1984 for Dwayne to take a job at the VA Medical Center, where he worked for 33 years before retiring in May 2017. Since then, Dwayne continued to practice optometry as an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the School of Optometry, University of Missouri St. Louis, supervising students at the Affinia community clinic. He was planning on fully retiring in the summer of 2023.
Dwayne enrolled as an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves in October 1989, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after nearly 22 years of service in March 2011; he was honored with the Army Commendation and Army Achievement Medals, among numerous other decorations. He was activated twice—in 1990 during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and in 2006 during Operation Enduring Freedom—and he also took part in humanitarian missions to Paraguay and El Salvador.
Despite his reserved nature, Dwayne’s life was distinguished by his commitment to being of service to others—as a medical provider, soldier, professor, civil servant and as husband, father, brother and son. He was a man of science, learning and curiosity, imprinting his children with his inquisitiveness. They fondly remember his dinnertime lectures, impromptu quizzes and copious facts.
In recent years, Dwayne had taken piano, Spanish, and coding classes, evidence of his expansive interests and abilities. He avidly exercised, working out multiple times per week. Just last year, Dwayne was the fastest male runner in his age group at the 39th Annual Kirkwood Webster Turkey Day Run, a tradition he had participated in for decades. Other ardent hobbies of his included weather and storm tracking, and singing loudly and confidently in choirs.
At the time of his death, Dwayne was the President of the St. Louis Amateur Radio Club and involved with the emergency communication initiatives ARES and SKYWARN. He was also a member of multiple optometric associations: the American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Association and Armed Forces Optometric Society. Through decades-long memberships, he supported the St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Missouri History Museum, and Repertory Theater of St. Louis, which he frequented with his family. He also volunteered as a poll worker in 27 elections, with a tax aid program for seniors and previously with the Webster Groves School District Foundation.
We grieve the sudden and painful loss of a most beloved man, who had so much more life ahead of him. A memorial will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at Kutis Funeral Home in South County—Visitation at 10:30am; Service at 12:00pm—followed immediately by a military burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Will and I are so saddened for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Hugs,
Julia
We can only imagine how difficult this time has been. May you find comfort and strength from your family and friends, and cherish many wonderful memories. Nick and Pat Saltarelli
So sad for your loss. I missed talking to Wayne at the Academy meeting this year, it was our annual way of staying in touch. Please accept my sincere condolences.
As a fellow optometrist and a member of AFOS, may I offer my sincere condolences to you all on the passing of your beloved husband and father! As someone who lost a loved one recently, I know there will always be unanswered questions as to why things happen as they do, but please know that God cares, is with you and may His peace, love and comfort be extended in a special way to each of you. May you find comfort in the coming days surrounded by the love of family and friends. Thank you Dr. Young for your professionalism and your service to our country! May you rest in peace and receive your heavenly reward!
With sincere sympathy,
So sorry for your loss. Dr. Young and I served at Fort Leonard Wood and caught up yearly at AFOS and Academy meetings. Our condolences to the family.
Dwayne was one of my attendings at IUSO. An excellent clinician who became my friend. I would see him routinely at AFOS meetings. So very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies.
Dwayne and I became good friends when we were both mobilized to Fort Leonard Wood during Operation Desert Storm. He was a good officer, a good doctor and a good teacher. I, along with so many others shall miss him. May you find comfort in the memories of what a wonderful man he was.
Dwayne & I had our first connection by being from the same home town, South Bend, IN. and having the same mentor optometrist before optometry school. Later in St. Louis, we found one other South Bend OD now in St. Louis who was also influenced by the same OD mentor.
We constantly saw each other at CE course including Washington University and AAO and his friendship was always important and inspirational. I will definitely miss him.
As a fellow optometrist, amateur radio operator and a member of of the St. Louis Amateur Radio Club I will sincerely miss visiting with Dwayne at SLOS meetings and on the air.
I offer my sincere condolences to you on the passing of your beloved husband , father and fellow optometrist. As said so well by Dr. Arnold Huskins “please know that God cares, is with you and may His peace, love and comfort be extended in a special way to each of you. May you find comfort in the coming days surrounded by the love of family and friends. Thank you Dr. Young for your professionalism and your service to our country! May you rest in peace and receive your heavenly reward. ”
KODY silent key from KE0QZG
Sending my heartfelt condolences to Dr. Young’s family. As a low vision therapist, I worked with Dr. Young at the St. Louis VA for several years and feel like I can still hear his voice just down the hall. He was a great doctor and a kind person who will truly be missed.
Paula,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dwayne was a dear friend and colleague who will be greatly missed. We had many fond remembrances of the time we served in the Army Reserve and as Federal Optometrists. I will miss the monthly telephone conversations about family, vacation and retirement plans, politics and professional topics. Rest in peace dear friend. Debbie and I will forever keep you and your lovely family in our hearts and prayers.
I’m so sorry that your family is facing this tragedy. It is heartbreaking to imagine what each of you are going through. I hope you can find comfort from friends and family while you celebrate Dwayne’s remarkable life.
Try to remember all the good times. We are thinking of you.
Love
Judy & Bill
On behalf of all the AARP FoundationTaxAide Volunteers in District 02, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Dwayne’s family. He will be greatly missed.
I am so very sorry to hear of Dwayne’s sudden passing. sending prayers to Paula and children Lauren, Kelsey and Brian. Dwayne was a remarkable gentleman with a giving heart. Please hold on to all your wonderful memories I hope in time they give you peace. Sending prayers and sincere condolences to you all in the difficult days ahead.
I was brand new to amateur radio when I met Dwayne at one of the ARES exercises. He was so encouraging and helped teach me what and how to proceed. I looked forward to seeing him at our events and talking with him each time. He never bragged about his accomplishments so I had no idea about his family and military history. I will certainly miss him. My prayers go out to his family and other friends.
Very sad to hear of the tragic accident and Dwayne’s passing. He was a friend and Academy colleague who helped lead the early efforts to broaden the former AAO Disease Section (as a past Chair) to its current organization as separate Sections and SIGs of glaucoma, neuro, retina, and anterior segment. He was always an astute observer, frank in his honest opinions (and was usually spot on!), and he genuinely cared for others. He was taken too soon. My condolences to Paula and his family.
Paula,
Just now hearing of the loss of your husband. What a wonderful man he was
I just saw this in the IU Alumni magazine. Dwayne and I were classmates- IU OD class of 1980 — and also housemates for a year.. I trust his success in life allowed him to improve his living standard from the beat up house we shared in Bloomington, which we inherited from other optometry students when they graduated or otherwise moved on. $250/month split three ways ———— we got what we paid for.
Dwayne was always a smart ambitious guy..very sorry to hear of his passing.
Joe Raczek OD