Dr. Verne Chaney Memorial Messages
I can’t let Verne pass away without a comment.
I met Verne in Oneonta when he visited my Dad Ian Smith. They are both “peas in a pod” they traded so many tales together that I was blessed to hear over the years. They both loved sharing tales of their travels overseas.
I rode all the way to San Francisco from Oneonta with a driver of a mobile medical unit Medical Coaches built for the Dooley Foundation.
When Verne passed away, my heart dropped. I met him as a young kid (8-10 years) and looked up to him as a mentor.
I was highly honored when I was offered to join the Dooley Foundation Board. Our board is diverse, full of spirit and dedication to Verne Chaney’s goals.
We will discuss some lasting memorial for Verne when our next Board meeting convenes.
I am sure Verne is gathering a group in Heaven to help others!!!
Verne Chaney was one of a kind and left a huge impact on Geoff and many others.
May God Bless Verne Chaney!!!!
Geoff Smith
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That was a beautiful reminiscence from Geoff Smith. I feel that I too should add a comment…
I first went to Laos in 1990. At that time it was mandatory for foreigners entering Laos to go in supervised groups of 10. I went alone and had a great time. However, Laos at that time was like Albania. There was only one newspaper, and it was a four-page propaganda rag. There were no radio or TV stations, no library, and no private phones. The literacy rate was 25%. There was one ophthalmologist Vithoune Vissonavong, who wrote the entire National Eye Car Project on a old non-electric typewriter. The President, Kaysone Phomvihane, had been head of the Pathet Lao and a mass murderer. I diagnosed his glaucoma, which was far advanced. He finally went down to Bangkok and had surgery by one of my former fellows, who is now Head of Glaucoma at Mahidol University. All in all, it was rather an adventure.
When I got back to New York, I was contacted by Verne Chaney. Verne, as we all know, was Tom Dooley’s Assistant prior to his death and started the Dooley Foundation. We got together and hit it off well and he asked me to join the Board of the Dooley Foundation.
At that time, the Foundation was not working in ophthalmology and was primarily in Honduras and someplace else, which I forget. As an ophthalmologist and specializing in glaucoma, I tried to impress upon him the severity of the disease in Southeast Asia, the lack of diagnosis, the lack of medications and the extraordinary high rate of blindness. As a result, the Dooley Foundation gradually shifted over to working in ophthalmology and had done quite a bit in Nepal. Verne was also a patient of mine for many years.
I am very hopeful that the Dooley Foundation will continue the good work that it has performed in the past and that Verne will be smiling down from heaven.
Robert Ritch, MD, FACS
Shelley and Steven Einhorn Distinguished Chair Professor of Ophthalmology Surgeon Director Emeritus and Chief, Glaucoma Services The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
310 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003
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We both were volunteers who met in Nepal working on an immunization project with Dooley Intermed in 1981-82. Upon our return to the U.S., we were married. So thanks to Dr. Chaney for bringing us together! He was a great man who did much to make the world a better place!
Gene & Linda Sentz, Choteau, MT
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A good friend to all and especially to my father-in-law, Sig Bear MD, and revered by my wife and her sisters. His life and work are an example to us all.
Roger Powell, Baltimore, MD
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Dr. Chaney,
Thank you for your service to the world. You’re a great role model on how to live life.
Until we meet again,
Yours truly.
Anonymous
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I light this candle in memory of your service to mankind, and your devotion to the Dooley Intermed foundation, and for your service as a military Mash surgeon. I have great respect for you, and the late Dr. Tom Dooley. I know you have only gone for a while, for we will all meet again. Safe travels and God be with you always.
Tim Dahlberg
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Yes, the world seems emptier today with Verne’s passing. He was a man like no other and made such a difference in world health, helping people to help themselves. John and I want to express our feelings for your sadness, even as we treasure his life well lived.
Best regards,
Pat and John Hopper
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My former Boss, Mentor and best friend for more than 10 years, Dr. Verne E. Chaney, MD. One of the most interesting person I ever met and had the privilege to work side by side with. The memories of great comradery will forever live within my heart, your stories of courage, bravery and resilience will propel me to take the next unpredictable step without hesitation. You’ve given me an opportunity at the right moment in my life, you’ve allowed me to shine in your shadow with immense confidence. Your trust in me was beyond comprehension. Our daily discussions, deliberations, and debates on health related issues was an all-time highlight of the day. YOU WERE NEVER WRONG, AND I NEVER LET YOU DOWN.
Chet Narsaiah
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To all of you who loved and honor Dr. Cheney – I am so sorry to learn of Verne’s passing. The photo chosen to personalize his obituary brought me a wave of peace, good feelings and memories of a lifelong affection for an exceptional human being. I was about nine years old when I our Dad, Ian, first brought Verne home to meet all of us and to share a family dinner….as was his habit with visitors to Oneonta. While my contact, over the years, was infrequent the innate character of that lovely man has always warmed a special place in my heart. Medical units for Tibet, chats about the African projects to better the lives of pygmies, dolls sold to further one of his many contributions to world health (still holding a place of honor in our home), a lovely few days at the United Nations to dedicate a medical unit to Tibet (that did not fall into a gorge) along with dinner and an evening of conversation at the top of the, then, Pan Am building and so many more memories will remain with me for my lifetime. Perhaps my favorite (and most recent memory) was the night at the Explorer’s Club when Verne was, very deservedly, honored with the first Sir Edmund Hillary Humanitarian Award. To share that amazing evening with Verne, my brother Geoff, sister-in-law Linda, daughter Nikki and Harriett was an honor beyond exceptional. As was, finally, meeting Harriett for the first time. I know how much joy, comfort, care and peace she brought to Verne during the last chapters of his long, long life. They blessed each other.
Thank you, Dr. Verne Chaney, for being such a strong influence on my life and being such an inspiration…..much more so than you ever knew. When we lost our dad, Ian, to cancer so long ago you filled a familial vacuum of someone to be inspired by and to respect. You live on in all of us who knew and loved you and in the countless lives you saved or enriched or inspired around this “Big Blue Marble” we all share.
You are now part of the universal energy that fuels us all.
With great sympathy to the Chaney family and joy at having known such a fine man.
Sandi (Smith) Collins
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We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing away of Dr. Chaney. Our heartfelt condolences from the entire team of Mission Himalaya and Eco Home.
Charu
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It truly seems like the end of an era. So many memories
Kate Jewell
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It was truly an honor and a privilege to work with you for so many years. Verne, you were more than a friend, you were family to me. I will miss you dearly but know that I will keep you in my heart forever. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal”.
Rosemarie
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It was an honor Dr. Chaney. God bless you for helping so many people. Rest in Peace.
Nick
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we had a long history of fund raising, stewardess recruiting for Nepal and a myriad of other fun events. It was wonderful knowing you, Verne. Rest in Peace. Pat (Rooney)McEnaney.
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It was a great honor for me to be able to serve and give back to this most wonderful person who in his lifetime has help a lot of less fortunate people in different parts of the globe. God bless your soul and may you rest in peace Dr. Verney Chaney.
Cheryl
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Never will I forget the day Verne came to my house and the conversation we had. It made deep and lasting impression. Strong, good, loving and funny, that is how I think of him and with love.
Joan Eppen