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Spencer Frankl Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Spencer Frankl
Sponsored by anonymous.
Sari Ledwitz-Valentino
May 9, 2008
Dear Rhoda and family I was saddend by the news that Dr Frankl had passed. I remember getting my masters degree in public health in the early 80's and working for Spencer part time as a hygienist in the office. I do remeber ET very well! I loved the atmosphere, staff and patients. I wish your family all the best looking at the photos in the Legacy of Dr Frankl brought back fond memories. I am working part time for my brother as a hygienist and people always comment how good I am with children!!!!! Lots of love please tell Denise Gianci hello for me as well I was very close to her.
Christine L
November 1, 2007
To the Frankl Family:
I was so sorry to learn of Spencer Frankl’s death. I was a patient of his from the early 1970s until I moved away from the Boston area as a young adult in 1990. I have many fond memories of his care and reading others’ entries I am reminded of still more—I even went to far as to put a Steely Dan CD on my stereo.
My first visit to Dr. Frankl, when I was about 8 years old, will always stick in my mind. I had sustained some facial and dental trauma a couple years prior and received poor dental otherwise, so that by the time I saw him, my experiences with dentists had been a nightmare. I was so terrified at the first visit that I could barely speak because I was on the verge of tears. Dr. Frankl realized that I was so afraid that he rescheduled the procedure which been originally scheduled. Instead, he showed me the office, sat me in an examination chair and explained what he’d do during the next visit. I was so relieved that I started sobbing. He gave me a very tender, warm hug and assured me that everything would be okay.
Thanks to Dr. Frankl, despite extractions, fillings, endodontics, and orthodontics everything was okay. When I moved to Washington DC he referred me to others who could take on my challenging mouth. I have had several experiences in which, while being examined, I notice a BUGSDM diploma and ask, “aah aah khaa Anhuh Ankuh?” Such a question usually results in removal of various dental instruments from my mouth and I repeat my question, “Do you know Spencer Frankl?” and I am regaled with tales of how Dr. Frankl supported their career, etc.
I am now the mother of two young daughters (one named Elizabeth). Despite brushing and fluoride, Elizabeth developed caries at age 3 which required treatment (apparently the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!). I just shook my head wishing I could be assured she could receive the tender loving care I received from Dr. Frankl.
I hope that knowing how he was cherished by others will offer some comfort during your time of sorrow.
Peace,
david danberg
October 31, 2007
As a life-long patient (and fan) of dr. frankl, i was deeply saddened by the news of his passing; i started going to dr. frankl when i was four and some 34 years later i still find myself walking into his office at 1247 beacon street twice a year (three times a year if i was a bad boy!). While the chairs in the waiting room stayed the same size and i grew, this didnt deter me from continuing to see dr. frankl well into my late thirties; he was someone i trusted and who was familiar with me (and even more familiar with my teeth) so even though in recent years as i was becoming older than many of the parents of the kids i sat in the waiting room with, this didnt stop me from continuing to entrust the care of my teeth to dr. frankl. i will miss our conversations about hot new restaurants (dr frankl was a food maven) and finding out what hot new eatery he had recently frequented. i made it a point to always start our converastions with "so, been to any new restaurants lately?" because if he went there, i knew it was a place worth going to. i will also miss his great taste and love for music and the eccletic mix of music selections that played in the office while i reclined in the chair and tried to come up with excuses for not flossing regularly; dr. frankl would come over while the hygienist was extracting three-month old food particles from between my teeth and say "okay david, what song is this????" or "david, who is this group???" sometimes i knew the answer immediately which impressed him, other times it was more difficult (its hard enough thinking when you're under pressure, even harder when you're under anesthesia). i credit dr. frankl with my love for the group steely dan, as the first time i heard a steely dan song was while i was lying in the chair being told to swish water in my mouth. dr. frankl was a warm, caring person--he always would tell me to say hi to my parents, which meant alot to me. i also found it amusing that whenever a new hygienist had the unenviable task of having to clean my teeth, he would jokingly warn her that "i was trouble", or jokingly say something to her to the effect of "you've got your work cut out for you!". if i'm not mistaken, the last time i saw dr. frankl was in may of 2006--it was shortly after that i learned he had taken ill. i would like to extend my deepest condolences to mrs. frankl and the family and to the entire office staff, especially denise and mary who have been fixtures there almost as long as i've been walking through that door. they have become like family to me the last 30-something years, and while i only see them twice a year (if i'm lucky!) its like i've known them my whole life because i've been a patient there for almost my entire life. i'll close by saying the one thing i'll miss the most is ironically a phrase that i always dreaded dr. frankl uttering to the hygienist after he gave my teeth the once-over at the end of my cleaning: "put him on four month recall", he would say (this would mean having to come back for another visit four months later instead of the usual six). i'm going to miss hearing those dreaded words as much as i will miss the man himself.
Mary Kuhns
October 30, 2007
Dear Mrs. Frankl,
I am so sorry for your loss. It was a privilege to have known Dr. Frankl and good fortune to have had him as my dayghter's dentist since she was three years old. Coming to the office for a visit, was always a pleasure because one could count on Dr. Frankl being pleasant and up-beat. Above all, Dr. Frankl was always so respectful of children's wishes and feelings.
Elizabeth Hoffman
October 30, 2007
Dear Mrs. Frankl,
I was so very sad and surprised to learn of Dr. Frankl's passing. I first met Dr. Frankl 37 years ago when I was three-years-old. I screamed the whole time on this first visit but Dr. Frankl charmed me even then and I couldn't wait to come back. My favorite memory is when he would quiz me on 1970s music (in the 1970s!) but only when he was sure I couldn't speak because of all the gunk and stuff in my mouth. What made me most sad when I finally moved away from Boston was knowing that I'd have to find a new Dentist. But Dr. Frankl and Denise assured me that I could come back any time. And I did - for many years. I will really miss Dr. Frankl. I wish my children could have met him - even just once. Then they, too, could share my memory of this amazingly funny, endearing, charming and lovely man. My heart goes out to you all.
Gwen MacWilliams
October 29, 2007
My deepest sypathy to the family and close friends of Dr. Spencer Frankl, It is a very saddenning experience for me to hear as a now 28 year old, but a former patient of ten years. Dr. Frankl was a wonderful dentist as well a kind and gererous person. He brought many smiles to myself and others. He will be remembered and missed. May god bless him and his family.
Sincerely, Gwen MacWilliams
Danielle Pieciak - Horsey RDH
October 27, 2007
Dear Mrs. Frankl and family,
My deepest sympathy to you all. Dr. Frankl will alway be a clear memory in my mind he was upbeat and lots of fun and if every asked how he was feeling he would always tell you he was vertical and ambulatory. He would always enter the doors of his practice and play his great selection of music and turn it up nice and loud and get the office going with his country and jazz mixed with hard rock. He made sure that everyone new how important they were. I can never remember Dr. Frankl in my mind without Rhoda by his side, she and his girls were the the love of his life, and life he lived well!!! I will always have a clear image of the times I got to spend working for/with him, he is a very unforgettable amazing man.
Lots of Love
Laura Wong-Palmarin
October 26, 2007
Dear Mrs. Frankl and family,
Dr.Frankl will be deeply missed from all who has known him not only in the dentistry field but also as a kind and caring friend. As a patient of his since I was 15 y.o. and thru the adult years to having my own children, there is no other dentist that can compare nor will there ever will be a more gentle, caring and honest dentist around. I only wish that my own children could have had him as a dentist as well. The staff at the Brookline office has also been like an extended family of mine for the last 26yrs. especially Denise and Mary. Dr. Frankl will never be forgotten.
Helen Drinan
October 24, 2007
From our entire family we offer sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Frankl. I was determined that my children would receive great pediatric dental care because of so many bad experiences, and God brought us to this most wonderful human being--our Dr. Frankl. We are so saddened by his loss but remember always the wonderful person he was to all. The Drinans
Evelyn Roll
October 24, 2007
To the family of Dr. Spencer Frankl,
I am sure you will receive many words of condolence from the legions of parents and children who were fortunate enough to have come under Dr. Frankl's care. My son, Robert began seeing him when he was only three and from that moment on, Dr. Frankl was his special friend. Because he did not have problems with his teeth, Robert kept hoping he would have cavities so he could see him more often! His warmth and sincere caring manner extended to the parent of each child and the visit to his office was one that I, too, looked forward to, year after year. When my son announced that he wanted to be a dentist, Spencer always took time to show him all the machines and instruments and explained how to read X-Rays, etc. There was always a twinkle in his eye when he greeted each patient and they all responded with such joy to see him. When my son became 18 he hoped he would be able to continue with Dr. Frankl and he did until he left Boston after college. My son is now 44 and though he changed his mind about being a dentist like Dr. Frankl, Dr. Frankl's spirit will live on forever in our lives.
Julie Molloy
October 24, 2007
Dear Beth, Cathy & Mrs. Frankl:
My deepest sympathies to you all for the loss of your father and husband. He truly was a wonderful man, very kind, gentle and wise. He will be sorely missed by all.
Susan Erickson
October 24, 2007
Dr. Frankl's waiting room was always filled with kids who looked like they were waiting to see Santa, not a dentist. His wonderful personality, as well as his skills, were a great gift to his patients and their parents.
Gillian Saris
October 24, 2007
Dear Mrs Frankl and Family,
It is an honor to have known Dr Frankl. He was truly a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Justin Altshuler
October 24, 2007
I never called him anything but DEAN. And that is the respect he deserved for his creativity and innovative programs as well as his friendship. Justin
H Anne
October 24, 2007
Dr. Frankl was my dentist throughout my childhood, and people still find it hard to believe that I have no fear of the dentist. It's all because of him; he was a kind and wonderful man! Twenty-five years have passed and I can still see him in my mind's eye.
My thoughts go out to the Frankl family.
Judy & Bernie Galtman
October 23, 2007
Dear Rhoda and Family
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
John Iversen
October 23, 2007
Dear Frankl Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our love and sympathy to all of you.
John Iversen and Family
Michael Monopoli
October 23, 2007
Dean Frankl will be missed. He was an inspirational man who did a great deal to make Boston a better place to live and to help many underserved people obtain access to dental care.
Bob Moreau
October 23, 2007
Dear Frankl family,
As a member of the BUSGD class of '92, I wish to express my sincere sympathy in the recent passing of Spencer. He was quite influencial in my pursuit of pediatric dentistry. He will be missed by many, but leaves behind many fond memories in the halls of HIS dental school. God bless to all.
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