Guest column | Cape Coral’s first optometrist: a visionary
Has someone’s kindness ever changed the course of your life? For me, that person is Dr. Arthur (Art) Young. I first met him in my early teens, when he was my optometrist. Like many teenagers, I desperately wanted contact lenses, but my parents could not afford them. After I explained my situation, Dr. Young set up a payment plan, and I paid him each week. His generosity helped turn an awkward girl into a confident young woman, and I will always be grateful.
Let me tell you about my favorite doctor.
Dr. Young was the first optometrist in Cape Coral; he is a native of Florida born in West Palm Beach and received his doctor of optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. Before opening his practice in Cape Coral on June 6, 1966, he was practicing with his uncle, Dr. Russell Young, in Lake Worth, Florida.
So how did a young man some 60 years ago open the first office of optometry in Cape Coral? His relatives had purchased some land in Cape Coral, so he traveled from Lake Worth to see their purchase. It was his first visit to the west coast of Florida and what he saw was the potential of growth in the area and decided to investigate moving.
He started his journey by writing a letter to the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce when he got home. Fred Hulburd, manager of the chamber, responded with, “It is rather difficult to make assessment on the need for an optometrist in Cape Coral. Reason being, we are growing so rapidly.” He also stated that the Cape’s population in 1965 was just over 5,000 people and there are eight optometrists in Fort Myers, which served a population of approximately 45,000. He wrote; in Cape Coral we are looking forward to a population of 10,000. On July 1, 2025, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population for Cape Coral as 236,264.
Starting a practice required office space and equipment, which was no small challenge on a limited budget. Dr. Young first secured building plans, hired a contractor and opened his office at 1420 S.E. 47th Terrace. The contractor was Arnold Weisberg, who later served on the Cape Coral City Council from 1975 to 1981. He then leased the building from Milt Kamentiz, a land salesman for Gulf American Corporation, and his wife, Rhoda, head teller at Cape Coral Bank. In 1978, he purchased the building from them. After securing the office space, he financed the equipment through a mortgage. His dream was beginning to come true.
How you advertised in 1966 was very different to what they are today. His opening announcement could only run in two issues of the Cape Coral Daily Breeze because of rules for health care professionals and lawyers at the time. He later placed a business card ad in the Breeze which was enough to grow his business.
In a 1999 Breeze article about his retirement after 33 years, Dr. Young reflected on his active role in the community through the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and First United Methodist Church. One of his proudest accomplishments was helping build the pavilion at Veterans Park while serving on a Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce Board focused on city parks and recreation. Retirement did not slow him down. He remained active in Rotary, served on the board of the Cape Coral Historical Society, and participated in the Southwest Florida Optometric Association, including helping run its annual Educational Retreat.
When asked what do you think is the most significant reason you succeeded? Dr. Young answered, “Being fortunate enough to open in Cape Coral in the mid-1960s when Cape Coral was just getting started.”
My next question was advice would you give to a young optometrist starting his or her practice? And his answer: “Always do what is in the best interest of the patient.”
Today is a slower pace for the Youngs, Art and Lynda recently moved to Fleming Island due to Lynda’s health issues. Prior to moving they traveled, enjoying several cruises to the Mediterranean Sea and to Barcelona. And just enjoying the life of retirees.
My final question for Dr. Young was what career advice he gave his children. He said, “Build a career around what you enjoy.”
His children seem to have done just that. He has a daughter, Kathy, from his first marriage in 1964. She turns 60 in October, teaches school and lives in Kissimmee, Florida. Art and Lynda’s children are Mindy and Scott. Mindy is a GlaxoSmithKline sales representative. She and her husband, Christopher, live in Fleming Island, Florida, and their two children, Scott and Katie, both attend the University of Florida. Scott is retired and married to Tina. Their sons, Lucas and Brady, attend high school in Wellington, Florida.
Dr. Young, along with many others that took a chance as early residents, were what you could call the pioneers for their time. The definition of a pioneer is an innovator, explorer or settler who is the first to do something, go somewhere or develop a new idea. They clear the path and prepare the way for others to follow. By definition Dr. Art Young is a Cape Coral pioneer.
Wendy Schroder is past president of the Cape Coral Historical Society.