Larry Thal has served with distinction as a University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry faculty member since 1978 and as president of the California State Board of Optometry on four separate occasions. He served as president of the California Optometric Association from April 2003 to December 2004.
He was born in Oakland, California, on January 28, 1946. He received a bachelor's of science degree in physics and mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, in 1967 and a bachelor's degree in physiological optics from the University of California School of Optometry in 1974. His doctor of optometry degree was earned in 1975 and a master's in business administration in 1978.
Larry practiced with his father, Dr. Bernhardt Thal, prior to establishing a practice in Kensington, California. His teaching at Berkeley has included neuro-optometry and both third and fourth year primary care optometry clinics, as well as optometric practice management and public health. He joined the optometry school's elite rank of full Professor with his promotion in 1999. Additionally, he served ten years on the faculty of Golden Gate University where he taught courses in real estate finance and tax in the Graduate School of Banking and Finance.
He served as president of both the Alameda-Contra Costa Counties Optometric Society and Bay Area Optometric Council. While president of the Bay Area Optometric Council Dr. Thal led the creation and administration of an innovative public relations campaign for over 500 member optometrists. The main objective of this campaign was to educate Bay Area residents about the differences in eye care services and products. He served as chairperson of the Alameda-Contra Costa Health Systems Agency School-Age Sub-Committee and as a member of the Health Systems Agency Maternal and Child Health Task Force. He served as a frequent consultant to the International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry. In 1998 he was elected as Trustee of the California Optometric Association.
Larry was selected as "1981 California Young Optometrist of the Year" by the California Optometric Association and as the Alameda-Contra Costa Optometric Society "Optometrist of the Year" for 1986. He is the 2002 Alumnus of the year for the University of California School of Optometry.
His publications are numerous in the area of optometric practice management and legal aspects of optometry. His 1988 survey of all optometrists licensed in California is the largest and most comprehensive survey of its type ever conducted on optometrists. The data collected has been analyzed and reported in over twenty optometric student theses. Dr. Thal served as a principle author and editor of Business Aspects of Optometry first published in 1997 with a subsequent edition in 2003. He delivered the Thomas H. Peters Memorial Lecture in Berkeley in 1987.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1967, Larry attended pilot training and later served with distinction in Vietnam during 1968 and 1969. He was honorably discharged in 1971 and commissioned in the Air Force Reserve. He was promoted to Colonel in 1989 and retired from the Air Force in 1997. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, three Commendation Medals, an Achievement Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and three Presidential Citations.
Larry's service to his state and community include being appointed by two successive governors to the State Board of Optometry. He served as principle optometric consultant to the Attorney General of the State of California in the successful challenge and landmark decision "California State Board of Optometry, Petitioner, v. Federal Trade Commission, Respondent". He was elected four times as Police Commissioner in the town of Kensington. On numerous occasions he has led an eye care team to Nuevo Progreso, Guatemala, to provide therapeutic and surgical care to indigents in the community as part of a 35-member “Hospital de la Familia” medical team.
In 1996 the California State Assembly passed Resolution No. 2081 commending Dr. Thal for his many contributions to his community, state and nation. In 2006 the California State Senate passed Resolution No. 155 also honoring him for his service.