Married December 28, 1920
Wichita KS Eagle, Monday, May 18, 1987:
BYRON BABB'S QUEST FOR EDUCATION GAVE HIM PRIDE
Byron E. Babb conscientiously cared for the eyes of hundreds of Wichitans for a half-century, but he was prouder of the tough road he traveled to earn the title of doctor.
The man who would become president of the Kansas Optometric Association grew up in poverty in a sod hut and earned the money for his education.
He didn't want to live like his folks did, never having anything," said his son, Dean, of Wichita.
Dr. Babb, 93, of 2702 W. Douglas, who practiced as an optometrist until 1971, died Friday.
He was born Nov. 8, 1893, near Cambridge, Neb., to Richard and Emma Babb. The large family moved to a Decatur County farm two years later and to Kanona when he was 11. Upon completing the eighth grade, he was determined to continue at the county high school.
Dr. Babb worked at odd jobs until he graduated in 1914. He was on the other side of the lectern the following fall, teaching at Traer.
Dr. Babb later attended Washburn University. He supported himself by working, at one time or another, as a railroad section hand, a newspaper carrier and a farmhand.
His education was sidetracked in September 1917 when he enlisted in the Army. His unit participated in some of the bloodiest battles of World War I's closing months, including the Argonne in France.
After Dr. Babb was discharged in 1919, he resumed his education. He became a carpenter with his brother's construction company in Wichita to earn money for optometry school. He attended Needles Institute of Optometry in Kansas City, Mo., and graduated in 1920. He married dance instructor Cleo V. Klaus the same year.
Dr. Babb set up practice in Wichita with another optometrist. He considered his profession a way to help his neighbors and enjoyed the opportunity it gave him to spend time with people, said Dean Babb.
Dr. Babb was a president of the Wichita Veterans of World War I chapter, president of the West Wichita Community Council in the 1930s, a life member of the Downtown Optimists Club, past commander and life member of a Veterans of Foreign Wars post and a Mason with Lodge 99.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Wichita Park Cemetery under the direction of Culbertson-Smith Mortuary.
Besides his son, survivors include a daughter, Theresa Dombaugh, of Wichita; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the Kansas Optometric Foundation.
Wichita KS Eagle, Monday, May 18, 1987:
BYRON BABB'S QUEST FOR EDUCATION GAVE HIM PRIDE
Byron E. Babb conscientiously cared for the eyes of hundreds of Wichitans for a half-century, but he was prouder of the tough road he traveled to earn the title of doctor.
The man who would become president of the Kansas Optometric Association grew up in poverty in a sod hut and earned the money for his education.
He didn't want to live like his folks did, never having anything," said his son, Dean, of Wichita.
Dr. Babb, 93, of 2702 W. Douglas, who practiced as an optometrist until 1971, died Friday.
He was born Nov. 8, 1893, near Cambridge, Neb., to Richard and Emma Babb. The large family moved to a Decatur County farm two years later and to Kanona when he was 11. Upon completing the eighth grade, he was determined to continue at the county high school.
Dr. Babb worked at odd jobs until he graduated in 1914. He was on the other side of the lectern the following fall, teaching at Traer.
Dr. Babb later attended Washburn University. He supported himself by working, at one time or another, as a railroad section hand, a newspaper carrier and a farmhand.
His education was sidetracked in September 1917 when he enlisted in the Army. His unit participated in some of the bloodiest battles of World War I's closing months, including the Argonne in France.
After Dr. Babb was discharged in 1919, he resumed his education. He became a carpenter with his brother's construction company in Wichita to earn money for optometry school. He attended Needles Institute of Optometry in Kansas City, Mo., and graduated in 1920. He married dance instructor Cleo V. Klaus the same year.
Dr. Babb set up practice in Wichita with another optometrist. He considered his profession a way to help his neighbors and enjoyed the opportunity it gave him to spend time with people, said Dean Babb.
Dr. Babb was a president of the Wichita Veterans of World War I chapter, president of the West Wichita Community Council in the 1930s, a life member of the Downtown Optimists Club, past commander and life member of a Veterans of Foreign Wars post and a Mason with Lodge 99.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Wichita Park Cemetery under the direction of Culbertson-Smith Mortuary.
Besides his son, survivors include a daughter, Theresa Dombaugh, of Wichita; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the Kansas Optometric Foundation.
Married December 28, 1920
Wichita KS Eagle, Monday, May 18, 1987:
BYRON BABB'S QUEST FOR EDUCATION GAVE HIM PRIDE
Byron E. Babb conscientiously cared for the eyes of hundreds of Wichitans for a half-century, but he was prouder of the tough road he traveled to earn the title of doctor.
The man who would become president of the Kansas Optometric Association grew up in poverty in a sod hut and earned the money for his education.
He didn't want to live like his folks did, never having anything," said his son, Dean, of Wichita.
Dr. Babb, 93, of 2702 W. Douglas, who practiced as an optometrist until 1971, died Friday.
He was born Nov. 8, 1893, near Cambridge, Neb., to Richard and Emma Babb. The large family moved to a Decatur County farm two years later and to Kanona when he was 11. Upon completing the eighth grade, he was determined to continue at the county high school.
Dr. Babb worked at odd jobs until he graduated in 1914. He was on the other side of the lectern the following fall, teaching at Traer.
Dr. Babb later attended Washburn University. He supported himself by working, at one time or another, as a railroad section hand, a newspaper carrier and a farmhand.
His education was sidetracked in September 1917 when he enlisted in the Army. His unit participated in some of the bloodiest battles of World War I's closing months, including the Argonne in France.
After Dr. Babb was discharged in 1919, he resumed his education. He became a carpenter with his brother's construction company in Wichita to earn money for optometry school. He attended Needles Institute of Optometry in Kansas City, Mo., and graduated in 1920. He married dance instructor Cleo V. Klaus the same year.
Dr. Babb set up practice in Wichita with another optometrist. He considered his profession a way to help his neighbors and enjoyed the opportunity it gave him to spend time with people, said Dean Babb.
Dr. Babb was a president of the Wichita Veterans of World War I chapter, president of the West Wichita Community Council in the 1930s, a life member of the Downtown Optimists Club, past commander and life member of a Veterans of Foreign Wars post and a Mason with Lodge 99.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Wichita Park Cemetery under the direction of Culbertson-Smith Mortuary.
Besides his son, survivors include a daughter, Theresa Dombaugh, of Wichita; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the Kansas Optometric Foundation.
Wichita KS Eagle, Monday, May 18, 1987:
BYRON BABB'S QUEST FOR EDUCATION GAVE HIM PRIDE
Byron E. Babb conscientiously cared for the eyes of hundreds of Wichitans for a half-century, but he was prouder of the tough road he traveled to earn the title of doctor.
The man who would become president of the Kansas Optometric Association grew up in poverty in a sod hut and earned the money for his education.
He didn't want to live like his folks did, never having anything," said his son, Dean, of Wichita.
Dr. Babb, 93, of 2702 W. Douglas, who practiced as an optometrist until 1971, died Friday.
He was born Nov. 8, 1893, near Cambridge, Neb., to Richard and Emma Babb. The large family moved to a Decatur County farm two years later and to Kanona when he was 11. Upon completing the eighth grade, he was determined to continue at the county high school.
Dr. Babb worked at odd jobs until he graduated in 1914. He was on the other side of the lectern the following fall, teaching at Traer.
Dr. Babb later attended Washburn University. He supported himself by working, at one time or another, as a railroad section hand, a newspaper carrier and a farmhand.
His education was sidetracked in September 1917 when he enlisted in the Army. His unit participated in some of the bloodiest battles of World War I's closing months, including the Argonne in France.
After Dr. Babb was discharged in 1919, he resumed his education. He became a carpenter with his brother's construction company in Wichita to earn money for optometry school. He attended Needles Institute of Optometry in Kansas City, Mo., and graduated in 1920. He married dance instructor Cleo V. Klaus the same year.
Dr. Babb set up practice in Wichita with another optometrist. He considered his profession a way to help his neighbors and enjoyed the opportunity it gave him to spend time with people, said Dean Babb.
Dr. Babb was a president of the Wichita Veterans of World War I chapter, president of the West Wichita Community Council in the 1930s, a life member of the Downtown Optimists Club, past commander and life member of a Veterans of Foreign Wars post and a Mason with Lodge 99.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Wichita Park Cemetery under the direction of Culbertson-Smith Mortuary.
Besides his son, survivors include a daughter, Theresa Dombaugh, of Wichita; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established with the Kansas Optometric Foundation.
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