Out of Gratitude and to Help Others

Pictured above: Paul P. Lee, M.D., J.D., Richard and Marilyn Witham, Grant Comer, M.D., M.S.

Marilyn and Richard Witham are continuing their transformative support of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences by funding a second professorship.

The couple’s recent gift of $2.5 million established the professorship in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences to support a faculty member who directs a clinical research program. The professorship’s first recipient, Grant Comer, M.D., M.S., specializes in diseases and surgery of the retina and is known for his expertise across diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, infectious chorioretinitis, and retinal detachments. In pushing the boundaries of research to solve problems in new ways, he embodies the intent of this professorship, an approach that impressed the Withams when he was Mrs. Witham’s surgeon.

In fact, the care she received when she was first diagnosed with ocular cancer was the motivation behind the couple’s first professorship gift to the department in 2017, intended for a faculty member in ocular oncology. Its inaugural and current holder, Hakan Demirci, M.D., was another of Mrs. Witham’s physicians during her ocular cancer journey.

Mrs. Witham credits Dr. Demirci and Dr. Comer with saving her life and preserving her vision for as long as was possible.

The Withams are committed to ensuring that other patients can benefit from the leading-edge care that Mrs. Witham has experienced over the years. Mr. Witham has said, “We have met other patients from around the country and around the world at Kellogg, and we are not surprised that so many seek care here. We have learned a great deal about the faculty’s goals for the Kellogg Eye Center, and their success is widely recognized.”

Their most recent gift supports a professorship that will advance research into care and cures for ocular diseases of all kinds. The Withams look forward to hearing about the impact their gift will make for numerous projects. As medical director of the Kellogg Clinical Research Center, Dr. Comer is wellsituated to ensure that leading-edge research will move forward across several fronts.

The Withams reside in Muskegon, Michigan. Mr. Witham enjoyed a long entrepreneurial career in the plastic, electronic, and medical device industries, running many successful businesses over the years. He continues to consult for Motion Dynamics, AIM Corporation and several other companies. He has served on numerous boards, including the Kellogg Eye Center Leadership Campaign Board.

He also enjoys mentoring young business professionals. Mrs. Witham is an avid reader and actively engaged in her community through her service to the Greater Muskegon Service League and Women Who Care.

Mr. and Mrs. Witham are very close to and involved with their two sons, Chris and Kurt, and their families, including their six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.