William Edward "Ned" Imlach DDS, USN Ret.

1937 - 2025

William Edward "Ned" Imlach; DDS, USN Ret.
August 11, 1937 - January 2, 2025
William "Ned" Imlach was born in Cordova, Alaska to Florence "Rusty" Imlach (O'Neill) and William J. "Bill" Imlach. He was the second oldest of 15 children.
In 1940, the family moved to Anchorage. As a young boy, Ned began hawking newspapers on the streets of Anchorage to help his family make ends-meet. By the time he was 14 he had earned and saved enough money to buy his first car; a 1932 Chevy coupe.
He attended and graduated from Anchorage High School (now West) in 1956. During High School he played B-Ball, Football and addressed the Constitutional Convention to make Alaska the 49th State.
Ned then attended Carrol College in Helena, Montana, where he met the love of his life, Carol Ann Mullen. He completed his Pre-Med degree in 1959 and was accepted to Creighton University School of Dentistry. He and Carol married soon after and began building their family. While in Dental School he worked multiple jobs to support his young family. After earning his Doctorate in Dental Science, he joined the U.S. Navy and became an Officer in the Dental Corps. Over the next 24 years, he served his country with pride. His tours of duty included being embedded with the US Marines in-country during the Vietnam War and on the USS Tidewater. As an officer in the Navy, he and Carol moved their family to various duty stations; Florida, Virginia, California, Nevada and Washington. He also served 2 USN Caribbean cruises & 2 Mediterranean Cruises, one of which was during the 7-day war between Egypt and Israel. Ned rose to the rank of Captain and retired from the USN in 1984 to return to Alaska to set up a dental practice in Wasilla. Ned and Carol opened Alaskan Family Dental and eventually built the Imlach Professional Building.
When he sold his practice in 2003 it didn't take long for him to realize he was happiest practicing dentistry and helping people through his skill and meticulous attention to detail. He returned to dentistry in 2005 and joined Scott Methven at Aesthetic Family Dentistry where he worked another 10 years. Ned loved dentistry and his staff. If you worked with or for him, you were considered family.
In addition to his dentistry, Ned developed hobbies which became his passions. In the 70's, the family started skiing regularly, often spending weekends camped at the ski resort in their Chinook camper. They would ski from first chair to final call with limited breaks between. Over the years he owned and trained many horses. While stationed at N.A.S Fallon, Nevada, he joined the National Pony Express Association, which reenacted the Pony Express, and rode a 20-mile section at full gallop!
During retirement Ned enjoyed puttering with big-boy toys, plowing neighbors' driveways in winter, digging holes, working on the property at Sacred Heart Church and helping neighbors with various projects.
Ned passed peacefully surrounded by his children. He is preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 62 years, Carol; his parents, Rusty and Bill Imlach, siblings; Robert Imlach, Diane Owens and Nancy Imlach. He is survived by his remaining 11 siblings, his 5 children: Valerie (Jim) Lindeman, William Scott Imlach, Thomas Dirk (Theresa) Imlach, Cheryl Imlach and life-partner, Lori Vawdrey, Jenna (John) DeWitt, 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, all of whom he adored and loved unconditionally.
The family would like to thank the many nurses and care providers from Ancora Home Health who helped with in-home care, Dayana at Recovery Waters for her care and kindness during these past months. A special thanks to his eldest son, William Scott, who dedicated several months of caring for Dad to ensure he was able to stay in his home until his final day.
A viewing and recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, January 10 at Legacy Funeral Home, Heritage Chapel, Wasilla. Livestreaming is available at www.legacyalaska.com A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Wasilla, with a viewing 30 minutes prior. A brief reception will follow. All are welcome to attend. Mass will be live-streamed at www.facebook.com/SHPWasilla.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ned's honor to Wounded Warriors or Alaska Right-to-Life.