At Richardson Vision Clinic, we’re proud to be a three-generation family optometry practice, serving the Forest Grove community and beyond with personalized, high-quality eye care since 1962. Our story began with Dr. Walter L. Richardson, a true “Renaissance man” whose passion for helping others and diverse talents laid the foundation for a lasting legacy.

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THE BEGINNINGS: DR. WALTER L. RICHARDSON

Dr. Walter L. Richardson’s journey to optometry was as remarkable as the man himself. A WWII veteran, Walter served in the Pacific Theater, landing in Okinawa, Japan, on April 1, 1945. On June 12, 1945, he sustained a gunshot wound to his lower right leg, earning a Purple Heart and an honorable discharge. After convalescing, Walter returned to the states and resumed his married life with his wife, Gloria C. Richardson. He attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, on the GI Bill, where he double-majored in mathematics and music, graduating with a B.A. in June 1950.

 

Walter’s love for music and knack for sales shone during his time at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, where he began his Doctorate in Optometry in 1951, graduating on February 2, 1954. To support his growing family, Walter worked as a car salesman at Doherty Ford, often heading across the street between classes to sell cars. His charisma and tenor voice also led him to sing professionally with the St. Louis Municipal Opera Company during the summers from 1957 to 1961, blending his love for music with his budding career.

 

Despite his optometry degree, Walter didn’t begin practicing until 1962, nine years after graduation. During that time, he continued selling cars and singing opera, showcasing his diverse talents. In 1962, he rented a space at the Maple Street Clinic in Forest Grove alongside Dr. Robert Faris, a dentist, marking the start of his optometric career. Around 1970, Walter built his own practice at 2804 19th Avenue in Forest Grove—the same location where Richardson Vision Clinic stands today. A dynamic and well-respected figure, Walter was deeply involved in the Oregon Optometric Association, earning the title of Optometrist of the Year [exact year TBD]. He also played a key role in Oregon politics, advocating for the use of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents (DPAs), which allowed optometrists to perform thorough retinal examinations and expand their role in healthcare.

 

Walter’s genuine enjoyment of people and his commitment to his patients made him a beloved figure in the community. Alongside his optometry work, he ran an auto agency and a juvenile furniture company, reflecting his entrepreneurial spirit. Walter passed away on May 19, 1992, leaving behind a thriving practice and a legacy of care.

THE SECOND GENERATION: DR. BRAD C. RICHARDSON AND DR. TODD RICHARDSON

Walter and Gloria raised six children, two of whom—Dr. Brad C. Richardson and Dr. Todd Richardson—followed in their father’s footsteps to become optometrists. Walter always encouraged his children to pursue a profession they loved, one that could support a family while making a difference. For Brad, watching his father’s joy in working with patients inspired him to combine his interest in science with his love for people, leading him to optometry.

 

Dr. Brad C. Richardson graduated from Pacific University School of Optometry in May 1987 and joined his father’s practice that same year. Walter built an additional exam room at the 19th Avenue location to accommodate Brad, who quickly made his mark. In 1988, Brad purchased the practice of Dr. William Alan Pollack, a well-established optometrist in Forest Grove, marking the beginning of his patient database. Around 1989, Brad negotiated to take over his father’s practice, and in December 1991, he acquired the practice of Dr. Gregory Kautz, further expanding the clinic’s reach. On May 18, 2021, Brad purchased the Cornelius Vision Clinic from Dr. Joshua Shinoda (previously owned by Dr. Bud Statton), adding its frame inventory, equipment, and patient records to Richardson Vision Clinic.

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Todd Richardson, Brad’s older brother, pursued his own path in optometry. After graduating from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts [exact year TBD, before 1980], Todd returned to the Pacific Northwest and set up his practice in Vancouver, Washington. He initially rented space in a commercial mall off I-205 before building his own building, which housed a dentist and a chiropractor alongside his optometry practice. Todd enjoyed a successful career spanning over 40 years. His son, Dr. Brett Richardson, continued the family tradition, earning his Doctor of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry and practicing with his father in Vancouver before opening his own practices in Battleground, Washington, and later St. George, Utah [exact timeline TBD].

THE THIRD GENERATION: DR. ELI RICHARDSON AND DR. LEVI RICHARDSON

The legacy continued with Brad’s sons, Dr. Eli Richardson and Dr. Levi Richardson, who brought fresh perspectives to the family practice. Dr. Eli Richardson graduated from Pacific University in 2010, inspired by his father’s dedication to patient care. Eli introduced a focus on nutrition and natural eye care, emphasizing holistic approaches to vision health while maintaining the clinic’s commitment to communication and connection with patients.

 

Dr. Levi Richardson joined the practice after graduating from the Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University in 2022. Levi has enhanced the clinic’s offerings by incorporating specialty contact lenses, such as scleral lenses, and leveraging the latest advancements in optometric education to provide cutting-edge care.

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