September 21, 1926 – August 26, 2022
Ernest S. Zane ’56 was born Sept. 21, 1926, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and passed away on Aug. 26, 2022, in Loma Linda, California.
Dr. Zane received his elementary education in a one-room Seventh-day Adventist school on the island of Kauai, where his fifth grade teacher inspired him to become a physician. In 1945, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was later stationed in New Caledonia. Upon completion of his service, he attended Pacific Union College and then the College of Medical Evangelists, now Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM), earning his medical degree in 1956. A rotating internship at the Los Angeles County Hospital, an ophthalmology residency at White Memorial Hospital, and a three-month basic science course in ophthalmology at Colby College in Maine completed his training.
Dr. Zane joined the LLUSM faculty in 1963 as an associate professor and eventually served as interim chair of the department of ophthalmology in 1993. He held the appointment for seven critical years, rebuilding the department and preserving the residency program with two new residents every year and later increasing the program to three residents per year.
In 1999, Dr. Zane took on the immense task of recreating the department of ophthalmology. He facilitated the recruitment of Howard V. Gimbel ’60 as department chair in 2000, and the recruitment and mentorship of many core ophthalmology faculty members in the department’s early years. He served as a core faculty member until Dec. 1, 2013, and then worked on a per diem basis until Dec. 31, 2020, ultimately staying on faculty on a volunteer teaching contract through December 2021. He was named emeritus associate professor on Jan. 1, 2021. His mentorship has been invaluable to attend- ings, residents, and medical students. Two endowed funds were created to honor his legacy of teaching: The Ernest Zane Endowed Fund for Ophthalmology Education (est. 2011) and the Dr. Zane Award Fund (est. 2022) to honor the top LLUSM student entering the field of ophthalmology.
Without the courage, foresight, and faith of Dr. Zane, the department of ophthalmology would not be what it is today, the “Center of Excellence” for eye care in the Inland Empire. He was recognized for excellence in his field and deep commitment to LLUSM throughout his career, receiving several awards including the following: Resident Teacher of the Year (2000), LLUSM Distinguished Service Award (2010), Loma Linda University Medical Center Administration Career Devotion Recognition (2016), and Alumni Association Honored Alumnus (2016).
Dr. Zane was predeceased by his wife of nearly 67 years, Dorothy. He is survived by their children, Ryan E. Zane ’85, Alan, Steven E. Zane ’90, and Sandra; and seven grandchildren, S. Alec Zane ’21, Christian, Olivia, Adam, Samantha, Aiko Lissie, and Wyatt.