Robert (Bob) Shyer.
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NEW YORK—A memorial service is being planned to honor the life and contributions of Zyloware’s former chairman, Robert (Bob) Shyer, who passed away on Dec. 19 at age 86. According to the Shyer family, the service will be held on Jan. 19 at 1:30 pm at the Frank Campbell Funeral Home, located at 1076 Madison Avenue, at the corner of 81st Street, in Manhattan. Zyloware Eyewear is the oldest family-owned-and-operated frame company in the U.S. Considered a visionary leader, Bob Shyer was best known in the optical industry for creating the first-ever celebrity-branded eyewear, Sophia Loren, and was an active leader in the eyewear and vision care community.

He twice served as president of the Optical Manufacturers Association (1976-78, 1992-94), which was founded by his father, and served as treasurer for the Better Vision Institute and trustee for the Optical Workers Union pension plan during the 1970s. Shyer was a founder of The Vision Council and served as president from 1989-1992. He also was the recipient of several industry honors, as VMAIL reported last month.

People may leave tributes to Shyer here, and donations can be made in his honor here.