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Dr. Harold Walter Hargis

1925 - 2015

Dr.  Harold Walter Hargis obituary, 1925-2015, Los Angeles, CA

Harold Hargis Obituary

Dr. Harold Walter Hargis died in his Los Angeles home on November 17, 2015, at the age of 90. He was an Emeritus Professor, at the UCLA School of Dentistry at the time of his passing. He was noted for his integrity, passion for teaching and refinements of surgical techniques in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS).
Dr. Hargis was born in Bluefield, West Virginia on June 11, 1925, the second oldest of Thomas and Mary Clare Hargis' six children. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945 and worked as a mechanic on a minesweeper in the Atlantic Ocean.
He attended Howard University (HU) via the GI Bill, and received a Liberal Arts B.S. in 1951. During his undergraduate years he played on the wrestling and football teams, and joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He also met and married Mary Frances Diggs in 1953 while they were at Howard. In 1955 he earned a DDS from Howard University's School of Dentistry. Dr. Hargis entered the U.S. Army Dental Corps as a first lieutenant in 1955. He did post-graduate work at the University of Illinois, and completed an oral surgery residency program at Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, CO. He began a fellowship in 1968, to train in Zurich Switzerland with Dr. Hugo Obwegeser, who pioneered intraoral reconstructive surgeries including intraoral repair of mandibular fractures. Dr. Hargis also worked with Dr. Bernard Tessier, a prominent craniofacial surgeon. In Zurich, Dr. Hargis first learned to perform a procedure called the mandibular sagittal osteotomy.
In 1969 Dr. Hargis was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he began to teach colleagues the sagittal osteotomy. Over his career he would continue to refine the technique, and teach it to generations of oral surgeons and OMS residents. He also invented various surgical instruments that are still utilized nationwide. He is credited with coining the term orthognathic surgery.
In 1972 Dr. Hargis was awarded the Legion of Merit when he retired from the US Army after 17 years of service, at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Dr. Hargis joined the UCLA School of Dentistry faculty in 1972. During his career at UCLA he was Chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Director of the OMS Clinic, and Residency Director of the OMS program. He also served on national committees of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and was an examiner for the American Board of Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr. Hargis retired from UCLA in 1993 but continued to teach dental students as a voluntary faculty member. He insisted that any monies he made through the intramural faculty practice were to be donated to an education fund for OMS residents.
In 2006 the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons honored him with the Daniel M. Laskin Award for Outstanding Predoctoral Educator. The California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons dedicated the 2009 meeting to him in recognition of ""Extraordinary service and contributions to the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery"". The UCLA School of Dentistry named Dr. Hargis Honorary Alumnus of the Year in 2009. In 2010 he received the Faculty Recognition Award in Education from the National Dental Association.
Dr. Hargis was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Frances Diggs Hargis, and his daughters Carolyn Hargis Hauschildt, and Lisa Andrea Hargis, and his siblings Ruth, Thomas, Ernest, Alese, and William. He is survived by his daughters Cherie Hargis, M.D., and Coletta Hargis, M.D., nieces and nephews, including Bonnita Hargis, Fayette Mack, Ronald Eans, Carolyn Eans, Candice Clay, Brenda Diggs Mauss, Sheila Diggs, and many grandnieces and grandnephews. He also leaves his brother-in-law, Walter P. Diggs, sister-in-law Thelma G. Diggs, a son-in-law, Dr. Eberhard Hauschildt, and a host of esteemed friends and colleagues..
The UCLA campus flag west of Pauley Pavilion was lowered to half-staff on January 7, 2016 in honor of Dr. Hargis, at the request of Chancellor Gene Block. The UCLA School of Dentistry has scheduled a memorial service and reception on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 11 am-1 pm at the UCLA Neuroscience Research Building Auditorium, 635 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095. For further information please call (310) 206-6063.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations may be made in memory of Dr. Harold Hargis in support of the UCLA Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Alumni & Friends Endowed Chair Fund. Please make checks payable to ""The UCLA Foundation"" and mail to the following address: 10833 Le Conte Ave., 53-038 CHS Los Angeles, CA 90095. To donate by credit card, please call (310) 206-6063.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Jan. 8, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Hargis

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February 22, 2016

When I first arrived at UCLA more than 25 years ago, I certainly knew of the legendary Dr. Harold Hargis, but had never had the opportunity to meet this great leader of our specialty. When I first met him, I recall being amazed that someone of his stature in our profession could be so gentle and humble. He was, and continues to be, an inspiration to me.

One rarely meets a truly great man such as Dr. Hargis. I consider myself blessed to have had to pleasure of working along side him, and calling him my friend.

There will never be another like him.

Earl Freymiller

February 21, 2016

February 21, 2016

February 21, 2016

Michael Bundy

January 30, 2016

Thank you for teaching me surgical skills, and thank you even more for teaching me how to think and carry myself.

January 27, 2016

Harold,
I'm looking at your photo as a write this and feel overwhelmingly thankful that you were such a bright light in my professional life. When I was new at UCLA, you and Frank were the senior faculty who were most welcoming and professional father figures in my life. I was reared to conduct myself with good manners and respect toward others in all aspects of my life. You and Frank were both outstanding guides along the way.

Whenever I had time for lunch in the cafeteria, i always looked to see if you were there. We steered away from school politics & frustrations; well,... you gently steered me away from those topics and into other worlds of european history, photography, human nature, inventions, even advertising (Remember Sarah Palin?). For many years now, I add jalapeño peppers to my salad because of you. I don't really even like those peppers that much.

Recently, being a couple older guys in the 5th floor corridor we could speak as friendly colleagues who greeted each other with big smiles. I felt so honored by that. I have used thoughts from you (with attribution, of course) to teach moral lessons to my son & daughter.

I miss you.
Russ

Bruce Sanders

January 27, 2016

Dr. Harold Hargis was a dedicated career military officer and an accomplished university professor. He was best known for his pioneering surgical advances in orthognathic surgery.

I his later years he dedicated his professional life to teaching dental students clinical oral surgery skills. He was respected and loved by all who knew him.

January 27, 2016

Carl Maida

January 27, 2016

One of the kindest men I have met in my 30+ years at UCLA. A gentleman, a wonderful mentor to younger students, and a warm hearted colleague.

UCLA School of Dentistry

January 27, 2016

UCLA School of Dentistry

January 27, 2016

UCLA School of Dentistry

January 27, 2016

Past and present Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residents

UCLA School of Dentistry

January 27, 2016

UCLA School of Dentistry

January 27, 2016

UCLA School of Dentistry

January 27, 2016

Dr. Hargis' Family

UCLA School of Dentistry

January 27, 2016

Gaby Tehrany

January 26, 2016

Dr Hargis was loved by everyone at UCLA. There will nevere be anyone with such grace, dignity and poise such as our beloved Hargis. He truly enjoyed his life to the fullest and continued to do what he loved until the very end. Dr Hargis will always be a part of the UCLA family and his legacy will live on forever.

Nora Kahenasa

January 26, 2016

Dr. Hargis was the most caring, helpful, cordial, and debonair gentleman I have had the pleasure of working with. I am truly lucky to have known him. My sincere condolences to his family. He left quite an extraordinary legacy!

KC

January 8, 2016

I AM SENDING MY MOST HEARTFELT SYMPATHY.PLEASE KNOW THAT GOD WILL COMFORT YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME.HOSEA 13:14

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Memorial Events
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Memorial service

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

UCLA Neuroscience Research Building Auditorium

635 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA

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