Newsletter
October 2021 Meeting
Active Lifetime Members recognized at Meeting. 30 consecutive years of membership or 40 total.
Drs. Bart Paul, Jamie Milos, Gary Foster, Perry Tuneberg, Brian Soltys, Cynthia Sachs, John Keller, and Kurt Jensen.
Retired Life Members speaking at the Meeting: Drs.Dan Nielsen, Greg Parsons and Lee Stopoulos. Also present were Drs. Scott Oren and John Wonderlick.
Dr. Dave Johnson receiving the 2020 Scott Erickson Award from Dr. Perry Tuneberg and Dr. Len Bernstein.
Dr. Scott Oren acknowledging Dr. Alex Hawkins for her efforts in procuring Covid-19 vaccinations for WCDS dentists and their teams.
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2020 WCDS Golf Outing
President Dr. Scott Oren presenting gift to Past-President Dr. Matt Bruksch at the 2020 WCDS
Golf Outing at Rockford Country Club.
2021 WCDS Obituaries
Laurence “Larry” Fitzpatrick, DDS Passed away at his home Saturday, October 2, 2021, at age 90. Larry was a veteran, serving in Greenland, California and Tripoli in the Air Force. Larry attended Loyola University and graduated from the Loyola School of Dentistry in 1955. He was a past president of the Winnebago County Dental Society and was instrumental in establishing dental services at Crusader Clinic and helped to obtain free mouth guards for young football players. Larry was an avid Cubs and Bears fan and enjoyed fishing, golfing and playing Duplicate Bridge. He was an Advanced Master in that game.
William A. Johnson, DDS of Rockford, passed away August 23, 2021. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Bill was a graduate of Northwestern University in 1951 and Loyola University School of dentistry in 1955. He retired in 2000. Bill was an Evan Scholar, a member of the Knights of Columbus and a board member for St. James Catholic Church and Boylan Catholic High School. He was a lifetime member of the Winnebago County dental Society and past President.
· 2020 WCDS Obituaries
To continue Dr. Paesani's tradition of honoring the deceased WCDS members over the past year, we mourn the passing of five of our colleagues. It is heartwarming to note that our four senior men all served in the Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy and Air Force. We thank each of you for your service to our country.
Dr. James E. Nijolka died December 21, 2019. Dr. Jim graduated from Rockford East, attended Carroll College and then received his DDS from University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1976. Jim practiced dentistry in Rockford for 43 years.
Dr. Lawrence J. Ginestra died June 1, 2020. Dr. Larry graduated from University of Illinois undergrad and Marquette University Dental School. He served in the Navy in San Diego, CA. Dr. Larry practiced dentistry 40+ years in south Rockford, the area where he was raised.
Dr. David C. McClelland died July 20, 2020 of a short illness. Born November 20, 1937, Dr. Dave graduated from the Universityof Illinois College of Dentistry, where he studied periodontics. He later enlisted in the USAF, stationed in Peshawar, Pakistan. Dr. Dave established his periodontal practice in 1969 and retired in 2006.
Dr. Blase Leon, 91, of Rockford died November 19, 2020. Dr. Blase graduated from Loras College and Loyola School of Dentistry. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Anny in Stuttgart, Germany. Dr. Blase practiced dentistry in Rockford for almost 50 years, working to age 80.
Dr. Robert G. Shales, 99, died April 26, 2020. Dr. Bob received his BA from Drake University in 1940 and DDS from the U. of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1944. He enlisted in the Army Dental Core as a Captain. Dr. Bob practiced general dentistry in Kankakee for three years and in Rockford for 42 years. In 1992 he retired to Grand Junction, CO.