Robert S. Feller (D’56) of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., passed away unexpectedly on September 2, 2010, while traveling to visit family in Washington State. After earning his degree at Penn Dental Medicine, he was appointed 1st Lieutenant, Army Medical Service Officer, and proudly served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps in New Cumberland, Pa., and Korea. In 1958, he was commissioned U.S. Army Captain, and during his service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He opened his first dental practice in Harrisburg, Pa., in 1958, moved to California in 1962, and shortly after, opened a practice in Thousand Oaks. He continued to practice dentistry there until January 31, 2002 when he retired. He had fond memories of many patients and friends he made while in practice. He was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association and an active member of the California Dental Association and the Santa Barbara/Ventura County Dental Society. Dr. Feller developed and founded the Conejo Valley Dental Study Group and helped develop the Eastern Sierra Family Dental Clinic in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jean, and four children — Craig Stebbins, Susan Bader, Carolyn Bruce and Jennifer Tucker — as well as five grandchildren. Abe M. Finton (D’58) of Meadville, Pa., was honored by the Meadville Medical Center Foundation Board and the Medical Center for his nearly 20 years of volunteer service on two of the hospital’s main boards — the Meadville Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors and the Meadville Medical Center Board of Directors, serving the maximum limit of three consecutive elected terms on both boards. He was chairman of that Medical Center Board of Directors from 1997 to 1999 and was involved in nine annual capital fund campaigns for the Medical Center that raised more than $1.6 million toward equipment for the hospital. He also has served the community in other areas, including 10 years on the Crawford Central School Board from 1981 to 1991 (president from 1986 to 1991). He is a past chair of Academy Theatre Foundation and was a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts for 13 years. While Dr. Finton is stepping
36 alumni: class notes
down from volunteering on the hospital’s boards, he is still active in his dental practice with his son, Dr. Dennis Finton. The elder Dr. Finton still sees patients two days a week.
Gerald Hirsch (D’63) has been appointed president of the International General Dental Institute of Implantology and Gerontology. He reports that the Institute’s mission and his responsibility as president is to foster continual education, including hands-on workshops in implants and gerontology by establishing new teaching protocols utilizing art-of-narrative medicine to arrive at total patient disease assessment and treatment.
Joseph R. Greenberg (D’72, GD’76) writes that he is “now practicing in a charming, historic building in Villanova, Pa., and enjoying the opportunity to teach dentists and dental students at both Penn Dental Medicine and Temple.” Recently he was approved by Penn's IRB to begin a research study of stroke patients at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital; they will be seeing if improving their oral health will diminish future cardiovascular incidents.
Steve Baron (D’67) is still enjoying active full-time practice in Suburban Tel Aviv, Israel. He attained FAGD and several local and Israeli milestones.
Robert P. VanValin (D’59), who retired from dentistry in July, visited the School this summer to donate dental books and other materials, along with the photograph he holds. Taken on March 5, 1918 at the University of Pennsylvania, the image shows the graduating class of his father, Francis P. VanValin (D’18), observing a dental procedure. Dr. VanValin comes from a family with many Penn Dental Medicine graduates, which also include: Clyde A. VanValin (D’1895), grandfather; Forest S. VanValin (D’29), uncle; Mendal VanValin (D’55), cousin; and Guy R. Welty (D’60), brother-in-law. Dr. VanValin is photographed in Penn Dental Medicine’s Leon Levy Library.
Joseph B. (Buz) Hanley, Jr. (D’67, GD’69) retired in 2003 as a Colonel, oral surgeon, from the U.S. Army after 34 years of service, with tours in Vietnam, Germany, Panama, and the United States. He is now practicing oral surgery part-time for the Veterans Administration in Massachusetts. He and his wife of 45 years, Pat, enjoy travel, going on cruises, sports, and their two sons and grandsons. Home is in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Leslie Hill Soble Needleman (DH’67) is married to a pediatric dentist. They have four children and two grandchildren with two more on the way. They love to travel, play golf, read and spend lots of family time together. Her husband, Howard, is a graduate of Harvard School of Dental Medicine and a professor there. While still practicing a little, he is heading toward full retirement.
In July 2010, Joseph M. McManus, Jr. (D’ 72, GD’76) was named Senior Vice President for Dental Practice/Professional Affairs with the American Dental Association. Previously, he was on the full-time faculty at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, serving as an Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Health, the Executive Director of the Faculty Practice, and as the Associate Dean for Admissions. Dr. McManus, who is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, also served as a transition and management consultant for Paragon Dental Practice Transitions.
1970’s 1960’s John B. Gworek (D’60), who retired in 2000, is enjoying life in Sanibel, Fla. He was in an Army rotating internship, 1960-61, spent two years in an Army clinic in San Pedro, Calif., and was in general practice in Windsor, Conn. He and his wife, Janet, celebrated their 50th anniversary in June with their two sons, one daughter, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Barbara Miller Ingham (DH’71) is still living in the Tampa area. She has her own interior design business, Barbara Ingham Interiors, and is a realtor with Caldwell Banker in North Tampa. She writes, “I would love to hear from my classmates and see how they are doing.” Paul Gingras (D’72) announces his retirement from private practice. He will continue to serve as a volunteer dentist in public health clinics in Florida and Montana. Paul and his wife, Sally, will spend their time between their home in Palm Beach, Fla., and their ranch in Big Timber, Mon.
Debra More Williams (DH’72) writes, “retirement is a beautiful thing...my husband Jack and I have recently sold our large summer resort on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and have purchased a lovely year-round property with just two summer cottages (piece of cake!!) Please visit our website at www.allswellonthewheatley.com, and come for a visit. Miss you Betsy.” After having taught in the graduate orthodontic program at the University of Manitoba for nearly 30 years, Jay Winburn (W’69, D’72) began teaching in the University of British Colombia's new graduate orthodontic program this fall. He