Dr. Robert Elliot Murto, 89, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 20, 2014.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marilyn; his daughter Eve Murto; son Tod Murto; stepdaughter Susan Anderson; stepson, Gary Kohler (Jacqueline); six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews; brothers, Thomas V. Murto, and Richard Murto; and his sister, Maryanne Culliton.
He was predeceased by his sister Katharine Ruddy.
Murto was born May 28, 1924 in Lancaster, Penn., to the late Thomas V. and Elizabeth Ferguson Murto. He graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Md., and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Following medical school in 1950, he traveled on the Moore McCormack Lines as the ship’s surgeon.
As a Navy Reservist, he was called to duty in Aug. 1951. He served in MASH unit with the 1st Marine Division in Korea until Dec. 1952. On returning to civilian life, he began his residency at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Penn.
He started his practice in Ophthalmology in Trenton, N.J. in July 1955. He was an early proponent of the intraocular lens, studying in London, England and Spain.
Murto was a man of many interests including, flying, sailing, scuba diving, bridge, the Civil War, history, travel, and reading. He spent many happy years with his family and friends on Long Beach Island, N.J.
He and his wife resided in Washington Crossing, Penn. for many years, retiring to Vero Beach in 1997. He was a former member of the Trenton Club and the Trenton Country Club.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mount St. Joseph High School, Development Office, 4403 Frederick Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229-4199.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.
