LESTER CLARK HODGE DDS MSD

HODGE, LESTER CLARK DDS MSD
08/03/1936 - 08/09/2018
A man of simple ways whose life mattered to all of us - family, friends, colleagues, employees, and patients. A man who grew up working the watermelon farm with his dad, to dental school, to owning his own orthodontic practice for 45 years, and being the self-appointed 'so-called' maintenance man for his rental properties. A doting husband, loving father and grandfather, a friend to many. He made a difference day to day in so many lives. In his daily life, he was a teacher to all and after his retirement from his private practice of orthodontics, continued to teach at the UF College of Dentistry. He was a mentor to hundreds; his life mattered.
Dr. L. Clark Hodge passed away on August 9th, 2018 after having a stroke. He was born and raised in Gainesville, FL and is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Jo; son, Lester Hodge; daughter, Shannon (Ron) Muller; grandson, Justin Hodge; granddaughter, Kelly Anne Muller; brother, Kenneth (Sherry) Hodge; brother-in-law, Dr. William S. (Marilin) Talbot; sister-in-law, Rachel Barnes; several aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Dr. Hodge completed his predental requirements at the University of Florida. He graduated from Emory University School of Dentistry in 1961, passed the Georgia and Florida State Boards and entered the US Army Dental Corp for two years. In his 2nd year he was appointed Director of the FT Dix Dental Clinic as Captain. In less than 6 months the clinic had doubled its production and Dr. Hodge was awarded the US Army Commendation Medal for this accomplishment. He then returned to Emory for a 2-year orthodontic program where he earned his MSD. His research was published in the journal of Prosthetic Dentistry in 1965 and initiated the term 'maximum intercuspation' which is used in world dental literature today. While in practice he developed a method of using cephalometrics to treatment-plan patients by synthesizing the instruction he received from the leading orthodontic teachers in the country. He also developed a most accurate method of examining and screening a patient with malocclusion to determine what treatment best suited each patient.
In 1999, he began teaching half time in the UF College of Dentistry and was appointed Director of Undergraduate Program in the department. He used his computer skills to develop a web-based, interactive case studies program for orthodontic diagnosis in the curriculum.
Dr. Hodge was a member of many professional organizations as well as many civic groups. He was elected Gainesville Jaycees Young Man of the year in 1968. Other positions included President and Chairman of the campaign drive of the United Way of Alachua County, founding member and President of Sunrise Rotary International, President of the Planning Council of the Alachua County Commission, Oak Hall Private School Charter Review and Budget Review Committees, and Founding President of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Gainesville. Dr. Hodge and his wife endowed a professorship in Orthodontics at UF and have given generously to many other community causes.
Dr. Hodge and his wife were avid tennis players and they are past recipients of the Family of the Year by the USTA/FL Section. He played tennis several times a week and had a close tennis family of players and coaches- and he loved his 'geezers' group.
'His life was gentle;
and the elements
So mixed in him, that
Nature might stand up
And say to all the world,
THIS WAS A MAN!'
William Shakespeare
Special thanks to the angels at Haven Hospice for his care.
At his request no service is planned.