Dorothy Truhlsen recalled as stalwart UNMC supporter

Dorothy Truhlsen, longtime UNMC supporter and wife of Emeritus Professor Stanley Truhlsen, MD, died on Nov. 6 at the age of 92. With her husband, Dorothy Truhlsen helped changed the landscape of the UNMC campus.

"Dorothy and Stan Truhlsen have been an inspiration to all of us at the Truhlsen Eye Institute since its inception," said Ronald Krueger, MD, chair of the UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science and director of the institute.

"Their personal interest and financial support in our success has been a key ingredient toward our growth and the team-oriented culture we are developing at TEI and in ophthalmology for the whole community. We are greatly saddened by the passing of Dottie and will miss her, even though her legacy lives on in the institute that bears the Truhlsen name," he said.

The Truhlsens have provided philanthropic support for the University of Nebraska for 54 years. Their contributions have helped position UNMC and Nebraska Medicine as a medical research, education and patient care leader with their support for the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, the Truhlsen Eye Research Laboratories at the Durham Research Center, the Dr. Stanley M. and Dorothy Truhlsen Campus Events Center at the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education, and the Dr. Edwin G. & Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center, which is home to the Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning (iEXCEL).

"Dorothy and Dr. Stanley Truhlsen have been among UNMC’s most dedicated and stalwart supporters," UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, said. "Through the creation of the Truhlsen Eye Institute and the Truhlsen Eye Research laboratories alone, Dorothy’s legacy will include better access to care for thousands of Nebraskans, as well as ophthalmological research that will impact vision care for generations to come. We send our condolences to Dr. Truhlsen and his family, as well as our respect and appreciation for all Dorothy and her family have done for UNMC."

Pamela Boyers, PhD, associate vice chancellor of clinical simulation/iEXCEL, said the Truhlsens were "futurists" in their vision for UNMC.

"For several decades prior to their generous gift to iEXCEL, they were true believers in using simulation technologies to advance training for health care professionals," she said. "Therefore, it was truly fitting to name the Global Conference Room in the Davis Global Center in their honor."

The Truhlsens also provided support for the Wigton Heritage Center, as well as support for many other areas at UNMC.

"The McGoogan Health Sciences Library extends its sincere condolences to the Truhlsen family," Emily McElroy, dean of the library, said. "Dottie, along with her husband, Stan, was a longtime supporter of the McGoogan Library. More recently, she championed the Wigton Heritage Center and its exhibits. Her legacy will carry on as people use the library and visit the Wigton Heritage Center."

At UNO, the Truhlsens generously supported the Biomechanics Research Building, which is home to the Division of Biomechanics and Research Development and the expansion and redevelopment of the Willis A. and Janet S. Strauss Performing Arts Center.

Brian Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation, offered the foundation’s condolences to Dr. Truhlsen and his family.

"As we reflect on Dorothy’s relationship with the university, it’s clear that she cared deeply about the ways in which it could affect the lives of so many people every day," Hastings said. "What she and Stanley have accomplished together in their longtime philanthropic support of the University of Nebraska is remarkable and will not be forgotten."

Raised during the Great Depression, Dorothy Truhlsen was born on July 21, 1929, and grew up in Fairfield, Iowa, where she witnessed how people gave of their time and resources despite the hardships many families faced.

An alumnus of UNL and UNMC, Dr. Stanley Truhlsen is nationally recognized in the field of ophthalmology and is emeritus professor and former chairman of UNMC’s department of ophthalmology. A private practice physician, he joined UNMC’s ophthalmology department faculty in 1951 and served on the faculty until 1993 when he was appointed emeritus clinical professor of ophthalmology.