Ophthalmologist was skillful at humor, music and medicine

La Jolla ophthalmologist Max Smith was best known for two things: his “never met a stranger” attitude and his ability to pluck a mean string bass. Wearing Band-Aids to protect his surgeon’s fingertips, Dr. Smith was the musical backbone of a trio of doctors who performed in medically themed musical comedy sketches throughout the state for 20 years.
“Max was a humorist with a story for every occasion, and with his wife and son, provided the music for us,” said former ophthalmology partner and performer Art Edwards. “We performed for hospitals and medical conventions and in the La Jolla Village Vaudeville shows put on by the Soroptimists in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Max was important in the group because he gave a lot of time to practice and help us.”
Dr. Smith died after a brief illness on Aug. 7 at his La Jolla home. He was 82.
Particularly interested in helping patients with diminished eyesight lead more independent lives, Dr. Smith was instrumental in establishing the Partial Vision Center at Mericos Eye Institute. He served as associate director from the institute’s opening in 1982 until 1987.
Max Smith was born Feb. 26, 1929, in Laramie, Wyo., the second of five children to Sam Smith and Frume Vinacour. He received his bachelor of science degree in 1950 from the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy.
In 1951, he enlisted in the Army during the Korean War, serving three years as a lieutenant and platoon leader before returning to his studies. He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Colorado in 1957.
In 1959, he began his medical career as a general practitioner in Rawlins, Wyo., doing everything a small-town doctor was expected to do, from delivering babies and setting fractures to sewing up cuts and operating. In the mid-1960s, when the opportunity arose, he did his surgical residency in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Dr. Smith moved to La Jolla in 1968 and served as chief of surgery at Sharp Memorial Hospital. That same year, he formed his ophthalmology practice in La Jolla.
“He was a wonderful physician, a skillful surgeon and a crackerjack entertainer — a cross between Marcus Welby and Henny Youngman,” said former patient Wendy Blair. “No one was ever rushed out of Max Smith’s office.
“I think he must have scheduled story time into each appointment.”
Dr. Smith is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Gloria Sebastian, of La Jolla; sons Rodger of Sacramento, Mark of Rancho Santa Fe, and Daniel of Scripps Ranch; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services were private. Donations in Dr. Smith’s memory may be made to the Partial Vision Center at Mericos Eye Institute.

caroline.dipping@uniontrib.com (619) 293-2823