Dr. Chester Cornelius Pryor II

Dr. Chester Cornelius Pryor, II was born on January 2, 1930, to Frances and Percy Pryor in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. Pryor graduated from Withrow High School in 1947, and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Central State University in 1951. While at Central State, Dr. Pryor was a charter member of Alpha Phi Alpha XI.

In the summer of 1951, Dr. Pryor attended a swim party (ironically since he despised swimming) where he met the love of his life, Audrey Jean Keels Pryor. They joined in holy matrimony on June 6, 1953, at Allen Temple AME Church.

With the support of his wife, Dr. Pryor attended Howard University Medical School, graduating in 1955 earning a Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Pryor relocated to Boston, where he completed his residency program at Boston City Hospital. Dr. Pryor was one of the first African American recipients of the prestigious Heed Fellowship Award for advanced training in Ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Upon the completion of his medical training, Dr. Pryor served at the rank of Captain in the United States Army. He was an ophthalmologist stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

At the conclusion of his military service, Dr. Pryor returned to Cincinnati and entered private medical practice. Facing racism and both cultural and institutional barriers to African Americans, it was his love of helping people that led him to overcome the odds and achieve success.

While Dr. Pryor’s groundbreaking career includes far too many achievements and honors to list, the following is a short sample, highlighting some of his achievements:

· the first African American ophthalmologist in Cincinnati

· the first African American to intern and extern at a Cincinnati hospital

· the first African American certified ophthalmologist in Ohio

· the first African American treasurer of the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine

· the first African American president of the Cincinnati Eye Society

· the first African American faculty member of the Academic Faculty of the University of Cincinnati Department of Ophthalmology

· the first African American Professor Emeritus of the University of Cincinnati Department of Ophthalmology

In addition to breaking the color barrier, Dr. Pryor was a pioneering ophthalmologist. In 1967, Dr. Pryor cofounded the Roman-Barnes Society to recognize African American contributions to the field of ophthalmology and address eye health for at-risk populations, particularly African Americans. Further, in 1971, while serving as the section chairman, Dr. Pryor organized the first pre-National Medical Association (NMA) convention meeting, establishing an eye, ear, nose, and throat ENT (EENT) section of the NMA. The meeting was so successful that other specialties eventually adopted the format and led multiple subspecialty sections of the NMA. In recognition of his contributions to ophthalmology, Dr. Pryor was the recipient of the NMA Ophthalmology Lifetime Service to the Section Award, as well as the Maurice F. Rabb Jr. M.D. Distinguished Medical Achievement Award.

In addition to his landmark medical career, Dr. Pryor’s community engagement earned him recognition as a Profile in Courage and an induction in the Black Business Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has been honored by the African American Chamber of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky and was the recipient of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati’s Glorifying the Lions Award. Further, Dr. Pryor was inducted into the Central State University Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame in 1991. In 2016, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology established the Chester C. Pryor, II, Endowed Lectureship in Ethics and Professionalism to recognize Dr. Pryor’s legacy of

contributions made to the University. In 2018, Dr. Pryor was honored as a Great Living Cincinnatian by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber.

Dr. Pryor’s legacy of civic and philanthropic service was extended through appointments to various boards and leadership roles with the Association for the Blind, the Negro Sightless Society, the Council on Aging, and the Mallory Center for Community Development, among others. Dr. Pryor’s continued membership to the Argus Club, the Funday Nighters, Life Member of NAACP, Alpha Pi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Inc., as well as his election in 1987 as the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons (PHA) Most Worshipful Grand Master, True American Lodge Number 2, and the United Supreme Council (PHA) Northern Jurisdiction, Director of Medical Services, demonstrated his commitment to supporting the cultural vibrancy of the community.

Without fail, on almost any given Sunday, Dr. Pryor could be found at Allen Temple AME Church. He was a lifelong member, christened in the Church when he was two years old. He played the piano in Sunday school for decades and served as a Steward for 33 years. The love he had for Allen Temple was matched only by that which he had for his family.

Although Dr. Pryor was a trailblazing ophthalmologist and civil rights leader, his greatest roles were those of father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Known as simply Dad to his son, and Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was often seen with his grandchildren in tow. Dad/Papa was an ever-present fixture at just about every extracurricular activity of his son, grandkids, and great grandchildren—from football, soccer, baseball, softball, and basketball games to swim and track meets to musical and theatrical recitals and shows to graduations and more. He passed his love of baseball to his son and grandchildren, often heading to then-Riverfront Stadium after church and taking with him a grandchild or two for just a few innings of Reds’ baseball before his next meeting. Dad/Papa, the family’s unofficial jester, was often the star of many a prom or dance sendoff, frequently outshining the girls in their gowns and the boys in their suits, sharply dressed in his own suit and with a magnificent camera to capture the moment.

Dr. Pryor is survived by his son, Marcus, and reunites with his beloved wife, Audrey, whom the Lord called Home in 2020. Joining Marcus to mourn the passing of his father and celebrate his life are the following: the grandchildren, Chandra, Anita, Marcus II, Chester III, Chloe; the great-grandchildren, Dion, David, Elijah, Marcus III, Camryn, and Maddox; and a host of nieces, nephews, and treasured lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to some of the organizations Dr. Chester Pryor II supported. Thank you.

• Allen Temple Church
• Howard University College of Medicine
• Central State Department of Chemistry

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