Robert Treat Paine Storer Jr., philanthropist

In 1985, Robert Treat Paine Storer Jr. cofounded the Friends of the Vision Rehabilitation Center at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, where patients who could no longer benefit from surgery or medicine could get help coping with daily life.

``Bob Storer was deeply committed and passionate about this," Melissa Paul, director of major gifts at the infirmary, said yesterday. Money to launch the Friends had to be raised privately because traditional sources did not cover such a service, which cared for patients who were older and required longer visits.

Mr. Storer, a trustee at the infirmary for 33 years, became a champion fund-raiser for the Friends, tapping friends, relatives, foundations, former Harvard classmates, and the many contacts he had made during his more than 50 years as an insurance salesman.

In 15 years, he raised one-fourth of the $1 million needed, Paul said, and in 2002, the infirmary established the Robert T. P. Storer Jr. Rehabilitation Fund in his honor.

Mr. Storer, who remained active in fund-raising for the Friends until his health began failing several years ago, died at his Beverly Farms home Friday from complications of normal pressure hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid on the brain, said his son, Robert T. P. Storer 3d of Sherborn. Mr. Storer was 83.

At the Vision Rehabilitation Center, Paul said, people learn how to perform everyday chores, such as writing checks, using magnifiers, and applying makeup. Social workers help them deal with emotional issues related to their vision loss.

``We want people to be able to lead full, independent lives even though they have a struggle," she said.

Mr. Storer carried a historic name. He was a descendant of patriot Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, who represented Massachusetts at the 1774 Continental Congress. But Mr. Storer never flaunted his famous first three names, his son said, and was most often known by friends and colleagues as ``T. P."

Mr. Shorer was also the 11th generation of his family to enter Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1945.

He was born in New York City, to Robert T. P. Storer and Dorothy (Paine) Storer, and grew up on Coolidge Hill in Cambridge, near Shady Hill School, which he attended before going on to Belmont Hill School.

Unlike his father, who was captain of the varsity football team at Harvard in 1913, Mr. Storer, of slighter build, played football only during his freshman year. But he attended Harvard football and hockey games for years, ``yelling himself hoarse," said former classmate Paul Perkins of Hamilton.

Mr. Storer served as class secretary for more than 50 years until he was forced by illness to retire last year. In 2002, the Harvard Alumni Association presented him with the Harvard Medal for lifelong distinguished service.

In his 25th Harvard reunion report, Mr. Storer wrote that the war had interrupted his Harvard career and that he did not graduate until 1947. In Europe, he wrote, he served with a unit that ``built floating bridges on the Rhine, Neckar, and Danube Rivers."

After graduation, he joined John Hancock as an insurance agent and was promoted to associate general agent.

In 1950, Mr. Storer married Margaret Amory and they settled in Beverly Farms.

On their honeymoon in Bermuda, the couple began collecting seashells, and the activity grew into a lifelong hobby.

A longtime tennis player, Mr. Storer was very involved in organizing the women's tournaments that were held at Essex County Club.

In addition to his philanthropic work for the infirmary, Mr. Storer served as chairman of the New England Eye Bank and was instrumental in its merger with Tissue Banks International of Baltimore, his son said.

Mr. Storer became a trustee of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in 1973 and remained one at the time of his death. He served on its board for 10 years and as board secretary for three. He founded the Friends with Dagmar Friedman and Dr. Joel Kraut.

``He was always available to assist in fund-raising events and how to strategize with us on how best to engage individual involvements in the venture," said Patricia McCabe, former director of the Vision Rehabilitation Center. ``Bob Storer was selfless."

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Storer leaves three daughters, Nancy Lambrechts of Beverly Farms; Margaret Garvey of Marlborough; and Susan P. of Cincinnati; two sisters, Dorothy S. Long of Wayland and Elizabeth S. Paynter of Weston; two grandsons; and one granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today in St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly. Burial is private.