Funeral Details

Dr. Randy J. Epstein

January 8, 1955 - May 22, 2025

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Skokie Chapel
8851 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Get Directions

Clergy

Rabbi Paul Cohen
Temple Jeremiah

Interment

Memorial Park Cemetery
9900 Gross Point Road
Skokie, Illinois 60076
Get Directions

Shiva

The LoGiudice Residence
8844 Meade Avenue
Morton Grove, Illinois 60053
847.966.4623
Get Directions
Sunday following the interment until 8PM
Monday 12 Noon to 8PM

Shiva coordinator is Randi Berger.
You can reach her at: 773.742.2702 with any questions.

Additional Information:
If you would like to contribute towards the Shiva,
Randi’s Venmo is:
@randi-shivaladies
Randi’s Zelle information is:
Shivaladies@gmail.com

Please write "Epstein" in the notes.

Important:
If you use Zelle, please use the above Zelle address and NOT Randi’s cell number for donations to be accepted.

Thank you so much, we appreciate your support.

Memorial Contributions

Randy J. Epstein M.D. and Linda S. Katz M.D. Benefit Fund
1201 West Harrison Street, Suite 300
Chicago, Illinois 60607-3319
rushgiving.com/epsteinmemorial

Randy J. Epstein M.D. and Linda S. Katz M.D. Benefit Fund was established by Drs. Epstein and Katz to continue a lasting legacy that reflects Dr. Epstein's deep gratitude for Rush and his unwavering pursuit of knowledge, innovation and compassionate patient care.
Your gift will provide critical resources for trainees pursuing innovative research and advanced learning opportunities in corneal disease, surgery and treatment and strengthen Rush’s reputation as a leader in ophthalmic education and care.




OBITUARY

Dr. Randy J. Epstein, 70 years old, of Chicago, Illinois was born January 8, 1955 and passed away at home in Chicago on May 22, 2025. Beloved husband of Dr. Linda S. Katz, loving father of Dr. Rachel (Dr. David Chan) Epstein, Sarah (Thomas) Sitz and Joshua (Natalie) Epstein and proud papa of Miller, Reese, Owen, Logan and Harper. Cherished son of Benita (Mathew) LoGiudice, and the late Richard Epstein, brother of Sarara Corva.

Dr. Epstein has left a profound and indelible mark on his family, his patients, and the medical community. A Chicago native, Dr. Epstein grew up in West Rogers Park, earning his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and his Medical Degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago. Following ophthalmology residency at Rush, he completed a coveted 2 year HEED cornea fellowship at Emory University. He then returned to Rush to serve on their faculty, and subsequently founded Chicago Cornea Consultants, an internationally recognized cornea practice.

In addition to being listed numerous times as one of Chicago’s “Top Doctors” by Chicago Magazine, he has received the Honor Award, the highly regarded NIH/National Eye Institute National Research Service Award, the Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Emory University Distinguished Alumnus Award. A Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush University, he also served on the Executive Board of the Advisory Council of Eversight Illinois to raise funds for eye research and assist patients in need of corneal transplants.

Though he was an accomplished ophthalmologist who was recognized and celebrated across the industry, Randy’s greatest pride and joy came from his family. In Linda, he found his loving companion and travel partner; together they explored the world. A devoted father and grandfather, Randy cherished quality time with his loved ones above all else. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he was an avid golfer, skier, scuba diver, and ran over ten marathons.

Service to be held on Sunday, May 25 at 1PM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment immediately following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Shiva will be observed Sunday following the burial until 8PM and Monday from 12 Noon to 8PM at the home of Benita and Mathew LoGiudice 8844 Meade Morton Grove, IL 60053. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rush research fund established in his honor: rushgiving.com/epsteinmemorial. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Dr. Randy J. Epstein below and we will share them with the family.
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Sending my deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss.

Grisel Viveros-Casas
May 23, 2025
You will be missed dear friend, a tragic loss!

Philippe Cochran
May 23, 2025
Sending my deepest condolences to the entire family.

Cassandra Walker
May 23, 2025
Dear Dr. Epstein,

Though this letter reaches you beyond the veil of this world, I write with the deep hope that somehow, in the mystery of eternity, you might feel the gratitude and admiration held for you here.

You were more than a physician, you were a guardian of vision, both literal and profound. With steady hands and a boundless heart, you helped countless people keep their sight, gifting them with the simple, miraculous ability to witness the world in its full color and detail. You weren’t just restoring vision; you were restoring independence, confidence, and beauty to lives that had grown dim.

In the world of ophthalmology, you weren’t simply a practitioner you were a pioneer. You pushed boundaries, embraced innovation, and never hesitated to question the ordinary in pursuit of the extraordinary. Your legacy lives in the lenses of those who see again because of you, in the scalpel strokes of the surgeons you trained, and in the journals that bear your name as a leader and a teacher.

But beyond your clinical brilliance, you carried a wisdom that shaped those fortunate enough to know you personally. I am one of them. In ways both direct and subtle, your knowledge, your discipline, and your unwavering compassion have influenced how I see not only the world, but myself. You reminded me that clarity of sight and clarity of purpose are often intertwined, and that healing is as much about presence as it is about precision.

You taught me that vision is sacred not just the eyesight you preserved, but the vision of what life could be if we dare to believe in something better. Your impact on my journey is etched deeply, and I carry a part of your spirit with me in how I serve, how I lead, and how I hope.

Thank you, Dr. Epstein. For the light you brought, for the eyes you opened, and for the lives, mine included, you forever changed.

Nicole Nelson
May 23, 2025
Sending my deepest condolences to the entire family.

Maria Rodriguez
May 23, 2025
Randy was a long time member of the Lincoln Park Golf Club, and a friend. He will be missed. Pat Burns, President

Patrick Burns
May 23, 2025
Randy's presence will continue with all the people he has trained and all the Chicago-area colleagues he's shared patients with. We in his Rush family will miss him greatly. Thinking of his loved ones during this difficult time.

Tamara Fountain
May 23, 2025
Randy will always be an esteemed colleague. We shared many conversations conversations about cornea patients over the years. He will be missed.

John Sutphin
May 23, 2025
Randy was special; he lived all the values that we most admire and even expect in a physician- excellence in skills, knowledge combined with empathy for his patients, colleagues and staff. In times of difficulty- tough cases, change in personal like, whatever , an email or call would pop up from Randy to let you know he was thinking about you and there to brainstorm how to move forward.

He was so proud of his daughter, Rachel and all of his family. I remember fondly an Investigators Meeting for a new clinical trial where his practice was going to be a Site; Rachel was there - just recently having completed her training and it was a joy to see how proud he was of her accomplishments and that now she was to begin her ophthalmology career.

We always talk about physicians being committed to excellence in patient care, research and teaching - Randy did it all with joy, warmth and camaraderie. I will miss him and feel lucky to be able to count him as a friend and colleague.

My heartfelt condolences to all of his family, friends and colleagues.

Penny
Penny Asbell, MD, FACS, MBA, FARVO

Penny Asbell MD
May 23, 2025
Sending my deepest condolences to the entire family . Randy was one of my first mentors and friends in the world of ophthalmology. His presence will continue to be known though his teachings and style throughout the cornea world.

Renee Skwarek
May 23, 2025
My deepest condolences to Randy’s family and loved ones. I’ve know Randy since grade school at Rogers and high school at Sullivan. I once ran with Randy in a 10K race along Lake Shore Drive. I remember having a great conversation with Randy while we were gasping for breath.

Joseph Friedman
May 23, 2025
Linda I only met Randy briefly a few times. I am sorry I did not have a chance to know him better. He was obviously highly accomplished and I am sure he will be very missed. Leeber

Leeber Cohen
May 23, 2025
I had the pleasure of knowing Randy for the last 30 years , both as an employer and a friend.

I can say without hesitation I would not be where I am in my career without an incredible mentor like Randy. He took the extra effort to care and teach.

Randy was an amazing surgeon, but his authenticity and tenacity is what stands out the most . To say he was a driven individual would be an understatement.

He always appreciated what others did for him, and showed his gratitude.

I will always have the utmost respect , and a great deal of admiration for him.

He will be greatly missed , but never forgotten.

Heaven gained a beautiful soul.

My deepest sympathies go out to his family during this difficult time. Sending prayers.

Sincerely,

Joyce Wolter.

Joyce Wolter
May 24, 2025
What a Class Act, cornea-wise and otherwise was our exceptional Randy. Having the privilege of witnessing his professional accomplishments, our personal moments shared remain even more precious including: running together along Lake Michigan at a Chicago AAO meeting many years past, unanticipated encounter in a Boston Legal Seafood restaurant last year and most recently on Saturday, 8 March of this year, sharing reminiscences over a Chicago style pizza with Randy and Linda at their apartment home. How this tragedy befell him/them with such catastrophic abruptness only serves to reinforce the Carpe Diem philosophy that every day is a gift. As is every quality friend such as our beloved Randy. Fly high and proud, Brother. k2

Ken Kenyon
May 24, 2025
Debbie and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Linda and the entire family. We have so many fond memories of Randy, both professionally and personally throughout the years. Keeping your family in our thoughts during this difficult period.

Jon and Debbie Ruderman
May 24, 2025
It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Dr. Randy J. Epstein. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues at RUSH and CCC.
Randy, I will forever be in debt and gratitude for your mentorship, teaching, and training that rendered me a more knowledgeable and skilled eye physician and surgeon.
Your enthusiasm, energy, resourcefulness, passion, and dedication to your profession and teaching are exemplary, hard to duplicate, and is the foundation for a great fellowship in corneal training at Rush/CCC.
It is a big loss to us, your friends and colleagues in particular, and to the field of ophthalmology in general.
May you rest in peace but will be remembered, well loved, and respected, always, within our hearts and minds.
Khoa D Nguyen

Khoa Nguyen
May 24, 2025
I will forever remember all our runs together . I will always remember you giving Steve LASIK eye surgery 15 years ago and he could still see perfectly
I will remember your generosity and my last eye exam with you last November. My condolences to Josh Rachael Sarah and Linda.Randy was a great doctor and a great person.

Erin Milstein
May 24, 2025
Randy was a titan in his field. He’s touched the lives of so many patients for the better. He was an innovator and a loyal friend.

This is a huge loss for the community. Rest in peace Randy, condolences to his family

Jeffrey Parnell
May 24, 2025
Randy was a very special person - I was very fortunate to work with Randy in the areas of refractive surgery, keratoconus and crosslinking. Randy was a major part of the development of Epi-On crosslinking for keratoconus. (starting in 2010, and now an FDA clinical trial is under way), and Randy was a leader in refractive surgery and understanding risk factors for ectasia going back 20+ years. Randy published many papers and participated on many clinical posters in these areas, and was a frequent discussant and poster on Kera-net and other email discussion groups.. Besides Randy's impact on myself and others in ophthalmology, Randy was just a true genuine person who was always great to talk with. I will miss Randy, as I know we all will!!!

William Trattler, MD
May 24, 2025
I worked with Dr Epstein as his surgical and lasik coordinator, technician, and on the lasik team. I learned so much from Dr Epstein while on the lasik team. When I gave my notice to Dr Epstein he told me I always had a position with Chicago Cornea Consultants. I’m sorry I never got to work with him again. I’ll never forget when he had me go to their home and pick Rachel up to bring her to the Highland Park Office on “ Bring Your Daughter To Work Day”. Now look where Rachel has become so many years later with Dr Epstein so proud of her, Dr Rachel Epstein. Thank you Dr Epstein for the knowledge you taught me. You will be missed by many.

Linfa Gentzen
May 24, 2025
Randy was a great cousin to grow up around. Even though I didn't keep in touch that much through the years, I have always admired what he became in his profession and more importantly as a person.

The world is a better place, because Randy Epstein was a part of it. My condolences to his family and friends.

.

Ken Epstein
May 24, 2025
What a loss, such heartbreaking news…Dr Randi Epstein was one of a kind and will be missed dearly !! All my sincere condolences to the whole family, may you know no more sorrow ! 🙏❤️Cipora

Cipora Sasson
May 25, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss., with much deep sympathy from a retired operating room, “Marge”.

Margarita Mojica
May 25, 2025
Simply an outstanding colleague-/ friend -
He contributed greatly to our fellow physicians and patients- His legacy will prevail. He is at peace now.
I'll miss him dearly especially the golf rounds!

Steven VL Brown
May 25, 2025
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Epstein for the past four years, and in that time, he made me feel truly seen, valued, and part of something bigger. He taught me so much about this field—not just clinically, but in the way he led with quiet integrity and unwavering gratitude. I’ll miss his classic mumbled comments under his mask, his ALL CAPS emails about not-so-urgent things, and how he always said “thank you” and meant it. He was a perfectionist and also a perfect person. He had a way of making everyone around him feel appreciated. I’m honored to have known him, and I will miss him deeply.

Julia Jaber
May 25, 2025
Linda- we are so sorry for you loss. If there is anything you need , the Simons are here for you. May your husband' memory be for a blessing.
❌🩷❌🩷
Pam & Scooter

Pam and Scooter Simon
May 25, 2025