Dr. Harold McIlvain Scheer

Scheer, Dr. Harold McIlvain a kind Renaissance gentleman knowledgeable in Dentistry, the Arts, mechanics, history, Christian doctrine and philosophy joins his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven on January 29, 2016, at the age of 93. After marrying the love of his life, Ruth Dieffenbacher on August 16, 1947, he became the patriarch of his earthly family: wife Ruth; 10 children; 33 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and five on the way. Harold was born on December 16, 1922 at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. At 9 pounds 2 ounces, he was the largest baby with the smallest mother in the hospital at the time. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. George William and Grace McIlvain Scheer, as well as his brother, Dr. George Edward Scheer. Remembering him with joy is his wife of 68 years, Ruth; children, Valerie Sullivan (Brian), Dana DeKalb (Jim), Kendall Scheer (Joyce), Kimberly Parker (Phil), Laurie Little (Rocky), Dr. Brick Scheer (Shelley), Allison Peterson (Dr. Stacy), Shannon Bohall (Craig), Tibb Scheer (Kim), Tanya Deiter (Greg), and Puerto Rican "son" Iv n Lebr¢n; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Shawn and Trisha Sullivan (Rhodes), Brent and Calais Sullivan (Harrison); Tara and Daniel Rittler (Joss), Jenny and Doug Clayton (Ilana), Austin Bowen, Beth and Mark Hopkins (Alyssa), Laura and Pete Huitsing (Claire, Paul, Levi), Mitchell and Terri Scheer (Grayson), Johanna and Wade Krebiehl, Angela and Trevor Klem; Lindsey Parker (Atalie), Christopher and Darin Parker, Justin and Johnna Lygrisse (Anabelle, Ryker), Joshua Lygrisse, Star and Daniel White (Flora), Breea Little, Brandon and Su Scheer, Casey Scheer, Ashley and Robert Rescot (Annalise), Sher‚e and Ben Lutz, Brittany Peterson, Kerri and Forrest Parr, Christy Peterson, Devaune, Audrey, Skyler, Barrett Bohall, Arielle, Jordan, Kayden Scheer, Heather, Derek Deiter; Jonathan, Moreno, Josu‚ Lebr¢n. Harold, a native Wichitan, was born into a dental family, his father having established a dental practice in the Bitting building in 1918. Harold's schools were College Hill Elementary and Robinson Junior High. He graduated from Wichita High School East in 1940. He took his pre-dental training at Wichita University, now known as Wichita State University. In 1945, he graduated from Washington University - St. Louis School of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. The last 15 months of training were under the Army Student Training Program. He graduated at age 22. He began practicing dentistry with his father on the 11th floor of the Bitting building in 1946. Harold was later joined by his son, Dr. Brick Scheer, in 1982. Their practice was known as Scheer Family Dentistry. In 1987, Harold and Brick built a new office at 7707 E. 29th St. In 1996, Harold was named Wichita District Dental Society's "Man of the Year", and in 2000 he was named "Dentist of the Year" by the Kansas Dental Association. After practicing dentistry for 55 years, Harold retired in 2001. Military Service in World War II included 15 months under the ASTP and 21 months during the Korean conflict. He was a Captain in the Air Force in the dental corps as head of the dependent's clinic at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. Dental honors include: president of both Kansas and Wichita Dental Societies, as well as charter member of American Society of Dentistry for Children, delegate to the American Dental Association, attending most of their annual meetings, member of International College of Dentists, Pierre Fouchard Dental Academy, and a Fellow in Academy of Dentistry International. Serving on the advisory board of 3 nursing homes, he established routine entrance exams as well as follow up care. He also established yearly dental exams at many elementary schools, as well as serving as a volunteer dentist for World Impact's Good Samaritan Clinic in Wichita. For 5 weeks, he was a volunteer dentist in El Guacio Presbyterian Christian Service Center in Puerto Rico, bringing back to his home 16-year-old Iv n Lebr¢n to educate for 3 years at Wichita Heights High School. Later Iv n became director of the mission and leader in his church. Harold was a charter member, with his parents, of East Heights United Methodist Church, chairman of the official board as the church was being built, and originator with his wife of the pipe organ fund. Their present church membership is First Evangelical Free Church where they have attended for almost 50 years. Civic interests: charter member of Sedgwick County Zoo, Botanica, Wichita Historical Museum (treasurer), Kansas Aviation Museum, Wichita Art Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Williamsburg Society, president Pegasus Flying Club, patron of Wichita Symphony Society, Wichita Grand Opera, Wichita State Alumni Association (2006 "Award of Distinction"), Friends University Miller Concert Series, MuPhi Epsilon patron, Thursday Afternoon Music Club. After giving programs for churches and civic clubs around the state of Kansas, performing as the Scheer Delights, Harold's family was named the 1973 Kansas Musical Family of the Year. After a bumper wheat crop in 1999, Harold formed Scheer Delight Publishing Company for Ruth's children's books, 7 so far. The magnum opus is Scheer Love of Poetry with over 700 poems Ruth and Harold have written about family, friends and the meaning of life. Harold's hobbies include golf, gardening, music and travel. A visitation with family will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 5, at Broadway Mortuary. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 6, at First Evangelical Free Church. Memorials have been established with First Evangelical Free Church, Sedgwick County Zoo and Botanica Gardens. Share condolences at www.CozineMemorial.com. Services by Broadway Mortuary.