Dr. Bruce Herron maneuvered a remote-control car big enough for his 1-year-old grandchild around the garage. Then he showed off his 1952 Harley Davidson that he enjoys riding around the neighborhood. His favorite toy, however, is the Z-scale train he works on occasionally.

Now that Dr. Herron has retired, he has more time to play, but he is also eager to do something meaningful in the community.

For the last 38 years, Dr. Herron, a board-certified ophthalmologist, has practiced medicine at the Eye Clinic. Though much has changed in his specialty, much has stayed the same. When he began to practice, he said, every eye doctor used a phoropter — the familiar “do you see better with number one or number two” contraption, just as they do now.

After receiving his medical degree from Vanderbilt, Dr. Herron completed his residency and internship at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Dr. Herron came to Jackson in 1976 when his friend, Dr. Ben House, asked him to join his practice.

“I toyed with the idea of pursuing a career in academic ophthalmology, but I just preferred being hands on and developing a relationship with my patients.”

Dr. Jim Price also was practicing at the Eye Clinic, and Dr. Art Woods joined them later that year. The four doctors worked together for 20 years before adding more doctors. (Dr. House and Dr. Price have both retired.)

“Partnership is like a marriage, but we found great doctors with great personalities,” Dr. Herron said. “It’s just been wonderful to have qualified partners that I could trust to take care of my patients when I had to be out.”

Dr. Herron performed eye exams and several different types of surgeries through the years to help patients who were cross-eyed, had tear duct issues or cataracts. He saw many patients with diabetes, which can cause vision loss in a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. He also saw a rise in patients with glaucoma — a disease that elevates the pressure in the eye and destroys tiny nerve fibers.

As he readied to retire in July, Dr. Herron reflected on the experiences of his life that brought him the most joy. Many of them included working with children and those who are needy.

While at Rhodes College, Dr. Herron was a part of the Danforth program that helped children who needed tutoring after prolonged hospitalization. “I enjoyed teaching children and I look forward to finding opportunities here in Jackson to do that type of thing again.”

Dr. Herron also was a part of the Health and Healing Clinic that has closed due to lack of funding. The office provided medical services to clients at no charge. “If someone had an eye problem, I would be able to help them, and they didn’t have to worry whether they could afford it,” he said.

In retirement, Dr. Herron plans to travel with his wife, Judy. In September, they will fulfill a dream and see the Normandy Coast. Then they will tour Germany and castles along the Rhine Valley before sightseeing in Munich. Dr. Herron also plans to spend more time with his children and grandchildren.

He recently joined the Jackson Arts Council Board. “I’m very excited about being on such an active board that is so well organized,” He said. “I want to do something meaningful.”