About the Owen Locke Foundation

Mission

For the past 14 years, the Owen Locke Memorial Endowed Foundation has
been dispersing scholarship grants to support California students in their
varied career aspirations who might not otherwise be able to reach their
goals. This endeavor is fulfilling one-half of the final wishes of Gwendolyn
Locke.

The other half of Gwendolyn’s directive is to fund Research aimed at
Macular Degeneration. Gwendolyn Locke’s husband who was an
Optometrist lost his sight due to Macular Degeneration years prior to his
death in 1987.

We look forward to building a community of collaborators and researchers
to carry on Owen Locke’s legacy in vision care.

The Owen Locke Foundation Fund for Research in Macular Degeneration (OLFMD) funds projects in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical devices aimed at a treatment or cure for macular degeneration. The OLFMD aims to advance translation towards solutions and products with the potential to treat or prevent macular degeneration.

Our mission is to accelerate the research process from academic invention to marketable product. We encourage and seek to fund innovative research and the development of novel therapies, and products, which address unmet medical needs and benefit patients with macular degeneration. The OLFMD supports the development of novel treatment options, diagnostics and medical devices through funding and expert advice. The OLFMD aims to advance translation towards solutions and products with the potential to treat or prevent macular degeneration.

Legacy

Owen C. Locke was from Coldwell, Ohio and served in the Navy 1935 – 1947 primarily teaching young sailors strong swimming skill prior to the beginning of the USN Seals program.  He moved to Riverside, CA and married Gwendolyne Babcock of Riverside, CA.  She was a Registered Nurse and worked in that profession for 40 years.  The also owned Central Answering Service for 35 years.  Owen worked for Miller, Mullen, and Cline as an Optometrist for many years. 

Even though Owen worked in the field of improving eyesight for his community, he did suffer from macular degeneration and was blind several years before his death in 1987.  Gwendolyne Locke passed away in 2006.  Their investments remaining at the time of her death have been funding activities for educational scholarships. 

The net funding received from the recent sales of real estate in downtown Riverside will be used to fund macular degeneration research activities to honor the concerns and wishes of Gwendolyne Locke.

We look forward to working with professionals in this research field to help us make significant strides in the ongoing battle against macular degeneration.

Owen Locke Board Members

Carol Bartels