Memories of our founder, Bob.

Bob was my guide and support through Fuch’s Dystrophy. I was anxious and lost and he pointed the way. As the creator and Director of Corneal Dystrophy Foundation and the online Fuch’s Friends, he was brilliant and resourceful in responding to an international need. His loss is a loss for all of us who are walking this path. My sympathies go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.

I am very sorry to hear of Bob’s death.  My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Also thinking of all the members of Fuchs Friends.
Like thousands of others I have learnt so much about corneal dystrophies and related eye issues through the work Bob started.

Bob was a remarkable individual. From the first time I met him, I was struck by his humility and sense of humor, but that easy graciousness and kindness belied a resolve and ambition that was uncommon.  Bob leveraged his background in tech to create an online community that became a beacon of information, support, and hope for so many.  As the needs of the community grew, you and Bob added more elements — an annual patient meetup, then a nonprofit foundation, then a scientific meeting. What had started as a small “side project” grew to become a living and ever-growing multifaceted charitable and educational enterprise, enabled by the energy, vision, and kindness of the two of you — a talented super duo who did not know the meaning of the word “retirement.”

I am SO sorry to hear this news.  Bob was instrumental in teaching me how to go about gettiing triple DMEKs back in 2016.  He led me to Dr Mark Terry in Portland, OR.  Even though I live in Florida, I made the trip twice.  Vision is great and I definitely was steered in the right direction.  My sincere condolences to his family.

Oh my gosh Monica – I am so sorry to hear this news. Bob was so kind to me. He believed in me and it made me believe in myself more –
because of him I stepped in the role of caring for patients with Fuchs. My most heartfelt consolations, Chris

My sincere condolences to Bob’s family and friends. May God bless and comfort you all in this difficult time.
Bob’s legacy in his work with the Corneal Dystrophy Foundation and Fuchs Friends was life-changing for so many over the years, including me. Bob was an invaluable source of information about Fuchs, was very candid and honest, and valued sharing important information to help Fuchs patients above considerations that could have impeded that goal. For example, a single comment Bob made in one of his posts on Fuchs Friends changed my life for the better.
There was an ongoing discussion about various top-tier cornea specialists with pros and cons being discussed. Dr. Gorovoy’s name came up, and Bob posted that if he lived near the east coast he would be Dr. Gorovoy’s patient. Understanding that Bob was perhaps the most knowledgeable and informed Fuchs patient in the world influenced me to eventually have my DSOs done by Dr. Gorovoy. They were a success and my vision is now excellent. Thanks to Bob for helping me regain my vision. Bob’s legacy will live on in the lives of the many Fuchs patients such as I whose Fuchs was successfully treated and whose lives were made better through Bob’s accomplishments.

Bob Bellizzi and Dorothy Acton were Godsends when I was diagnosed with Fuchs in the early 2000s and a full corneal transplant was the standard of care.
What a difference Bob made! He was a force of nature, and it is because of him and his legacy, the CDF, that we have so many more options and outstanding surgeons.  We have come from being told that we will go blind if we have Fuchs’ Dystrophy to DSEKs, DMEKs and DSOs.  I worked a couple of conferences with Bob and had many conversations with him when I was facilitating the NoVa/DC/Maryland Local Group.  I would like to say to Monica and the family on behalf of all of us, that Bob will be truly missed, and his legacy and leadership will live on.  Well done, Bob!

What an incredible human… the lives he helped and positively changed thru his founding and continuing dedication and involvement in The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation is truly inspirational.  I feel so grateful and blessed to be one of those lives.  RIP dear Bob Bellizzi.

Bob’s passing is indeed a great loss to not only all those of us who knew and loved him, but to the literally thousands of patients with Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy who benefited from his founding of the Corneal Dystrophy Foundation and the shared knowledge he brought to everyone through the Fuchs’ Friends online community.

During the 20+ years that I knew Bob, he always was a bright spot of enthusiasm and optimism, whether it be by email, telephone or in person. Bob Bellizzi was a manifestation of the truth that one person can truly change the world. What a wonderful life he had and what a contribution to the world he made.

Bob and I shared many smiles over the years, and I will miss him dearly. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

We are so appreciative of Bob’s inspiration and tireless work to establish and maintain a thriving community to provide support and share information with fellow travellers on the Fuchs dystrophy journey. He had a big heart and big smile and will be sorely missed by the many people he touched.

I am so very sorry of Bob’s passing. He was always there to answer all my questions! Always helpful and thorough. I have missed his posts for awhile and will continue. A great blessing is an understatement for what he has done for all of us! I and all those of us who have been members for all these years are so incredibly grateful for all he and the Foundation has done for us. Praying for peace for you and your entire family during this time.

The Fuchs’ Friends community lost it’s guiding light when Bob was taken Home.  He worked tirelessly to inform, research, encourage and provide hope for those of us scared and overwhelmed when learning we had this disease with the strange name.  My mom was diagnosed at 90 and told by her ophthalmologist to go home and use the hair dryer on her eye! Unsure of where to turn, I searched the internet and found the names of two people who had transplants at UTSW in Dallas.  I talked to them, got the name of their doctor and mom had a total replacement by Dr. Wayne Bowman at age 91.  That was 22 years ago.  Bob and the support people on this site were my life-line for her and for me in my two transplants.

My deepest sympathy to you Monica and your family in the loss of a great man who devoted himself to helping others.  I know the Lord greeted him with “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” May you find peace and comfort from those in this FF community knowing how much your husband meant to us.

My deepest condolences to you and your entire family. Bob was truly an extraordinary individual, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has touched the lives of countless people and continues to do so. His dedication brought Fuchs dystrophy to the forefront of awareness for those affected by this condition.  Our collaborative symposium, both at Duke 15 years ago and in San Diego nearly 10 years ago, were made possible by his tireless efforts alongside yours. Bob’s leadership in gathering DNA from people for our genetics research was instrumental in advancing our understanding of the condition. He embodied the spirit of making the world a better place, and Bob undeniably achieved that goal.  Personally, I will deeply miss his friendship, his infectious enthusiasm, and his unwavering commitment to unraveling the complexities of Fuchs dystrophy;  His laughter and can-do attitude were truly infectious. While we mourn his passing, Bob’s legacy will endure.  I extend heartfelt gratitude to both Bob and you for everything you have accomplished and continue to do in service of others.

Please accept my sincere condolences. I have missed the back-and-forth banter over the last couple of months and it’s rare to build such an impactful, memorable relationship with someone working across continents but somehow, we did and I will always appreciate those memories.

I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. When my Fuchs was finally impacting my vision, I came across this group. I emailed Bob several times when I was initially looking for a surgeon and terrified of losing my vision. Bob was such a calming influence with teams of incredible information for sufferers of Fuchs throughout the world. What an amazing legacy he leaves behind. Monica thank you for sharing him with all of us over the years. He has made the world a better place.

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Over the years as a member of Fuchs Friends I have relied upon the wisdom of Bob to help me find my way in the Fuchs world. He was a very special person and so dedicated to helping others.
May his memory be a blessing because he truly was one of those unique angles that walk the earth helping those in need

Bob took it upon himself to contact me personally, giving me encouragement and advice on how to find a good surgeon and have my first DMEK done, undoubtably after reading my posting about how I was  dissatisfied with my previous doctor, dithering and waiting unnecessarily. I’ll miss his no-nonsense directness, inspiring example, and his caring.

One more voice to add to the myriad who have gratefully benefitted from Bob’s so important work.  I have missed his presence for many months and now this very sad news.  His and Monica’s generosity have made all the difference for so many lives. Thank you.