GREGORY BARCUS
A fixture on the Battle Ground medical scene will soon be retiring from full-time practice.
Optometrist Dr. Gregory Barcus will work the final day at his 304 S. Parkway office on Fri., May 30. Brett Richardson will take over the practice at the same location beginning Mon., June 2.
“I’m not retiring,” the 64-year-old Barcus said. “I’m just changing a chapter of life. I’ll still be very active with several things.”
Those include doing contract optometry work and seeing patients at a free clinic in Vancouver. Barcus also has travel on his mind, including a possible trip to Alaska.
The Pacific Northwest native graduated from Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in science in 1971. He earned a doctorate degree two years later. Barcus has operated his Battle Ground office since the mid-1970s.
He said he’s traveled extensively in the U.S. and had opportunities to set up practice elsewhere. “I just never found a place I liked better than this area,” Barcus said.
When not working, he enjoys typical Northwest activities such as hiking and hunting. Roads that access timber harvests have become some of his favorite routes to hike.
“I park my truck in front of a gated road and go up for miles and miles,” Barcus said. “Some of the most scenic views are on the logging roads.”
Barcus and his family have strong Clark County roots. He and his wife, Mary, celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary last year and will continue to live in their Battle Ground home. Their two children, Emy and Bryan, live just outside of Battle Ground.
Barcus said the area won’t lack for talented optometrists with his departure from full-time work.
“It will be well served,” he said. “We have great doctors here.”
He added that his optometry career was always a pleasant way to earn a living, and that hasn’t changed in recent years.
“I’m fortunate to still enjoy every day what I do,” Barcus said. “I just have a lot of other things that I want to do.”
