Over the past 60 years, the Department of Ophthalmology at UCSF has grown and flourished because of leadership provided by three giants of ophthalmology. Dr. Frederick C. Cordes (1934-1959) received his A.B. and M.D. from the University of California. After completing his internship at the University of California, he entered private practice and became affiliated with the University Eye Clinic. He rose through the ranks to become Chairman of the Department for 25 years. Dr. Cordes was an inveterate collector of stamps, rare medical books, ophthalmoscopes, photographs, and ship models. Scale models of sailing vessels he built are still on display in California museums. The Alumni of the Department of Ophthalmology at UCSF honored Dr. Cordes by naming their association the Frederick C. Cordes Eye Society.