Dr. Luther A. Forrest Jr.

Dr. Luther A. Forrest, Jr., a longtime St. Louis Dentist, passed away on Thursday morning (September 3, 2009) at the age of 86. His tireless commitment to public health and indomitable life-force allowed him to practice dentistry, on a full-time up to the day he died. Dr. Forrest was born on February 16, 1923, in Marshall, Texas to the union of Luther Alpha Forrest, Sr. and Claudia Barry Forrest. The middle child and only son, Dr. Forrest had 2 sisters each born two years apart. His older sister, Ruth Forrest White died 18 months ago, while younger sister, Louise Forrest Harrison preceded him in death just 2 weeks ago. He attended Marshall's public schools and graduated from H.B. Pemberton High School in 1940. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Wiley College in 1943. Directly upon graduation he was called into the service of his country via the U.S. Army. Upon completion of his service he immediately began attendance at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN, six months behind his classmates, where he not only caught up but exceeded academically to become the recipient of the prestigious Crown/Bridge Award for best tooth reconstruction. Dr. Forrest earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree, Summa Cum Laude, in only 3 years in 1946. He next accepted an intern/oral surgery residency at St. Louis Homer G. Phillips Hospital and realized there was a critical need for good public health for all patients regardless of circumstance. He pledged a career-long commitment to dental health education/prevention and maintained this philosophy throughout his 63 year career practice: believing that good oral health was a key to one's overall general health. At this time, he also met and married, in 1949, native St. Louisian and nurse Ruth "Sweetie" Carroll. To this union were born three children: Luther III, Gary Lee, and Jan Forrest (Bank). The family flourished with a shared love for annual August road trip vacations, children's varied sports team events and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin's, George Williams college Camp, and auto-enthusiast activities. When the Korean War began Dr. Forrest was again called to military service in the U.S. air Force, with rank of Captain and became Chief of Oral Surgery in the 6604th U.S.A.F. Hospital in St. John's Newfoundland and later, as Military Commander of the USS Private Jose Valdez, transport carrier. Upon completion of duty, he and his family returned to St. Louis and resumed his practice in North City. Through the years, Dr. Forrest did postgraduate work at MIT in Boston, Walter Reed Army Hospital, and Washington University and St. Louis University in Missouri as well. Dr. Forrest taught oral surgery at St. Louis and Washington University, and was also on the advisory committee that established the dental hygiene program at St. Louis Community College. He was a member of many professional organizations: the American Dental Association, The National Dental Association, The State Dental Association, The Dental Association of Greater St. Louis, The Mound City Dental Association, The mid-Western Dental Association and was a Fellow of The American Directors for 18 years and was Chairman of Delta's nominating committee. Dr. Forrest was a lifetime member of the NAACP and Urban League and served as a board member for the Leagues' local chapter, as well as, the Family and Children's Services of St. Louis, the St. Louis Alliance for Housing and Gateway National Bank. He was a former board member of the Greater St. Louis Region YMCA and the Old Northside, Page Park and Mid-County "Y" branches. He was an active participant/board member of The Boy Scouts Council of St. Louis and former Cub/Boy scout "pack" Leader. He was also a member of Antioch Baptist Church, St. Louis Coin Club and the St. Louis Black Roundtable and one of the first Black men to be inducted into the veiled Prophet Organization of St. Louis. Dr. Forrest belonged to many social clubs such as Chi Delta Mu (Gamma Chapter), Eta Boule', The Royal Vagabonds, The Anniversary Club and Music Lovers, to name a few. In 1980 and after 31 years together, his wife Ruth was stricken with cancer and died, leaving Dr. Forrest a single parent. In time, he married again, to longtime St. Louis Public Schools educator Louise J. Frazer and added three more children to the family; Wyatt "Chris", Dr. Eva (Steven Roberts) and George (Jessica) Frazer. They were married for 28 years at his death. "Pa-Pa" had ten grandchildren; Steven II, Christian and Darci Roberts, Jessica Ruth and Richard II "RJ" Banks, and George II, Nicholas, Francesco, Eva and Angelo Frazer. He also leaves to cherish his memory, his special nephew, Lonnie Harrison, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, colleagues, patients and loyal dental office secretary, Hazel Wiles (42 years of service) and assistant Edna Damper (35 years of service). He had a number of hobbies and interests. A lifelong history enthusiast, story teller and civic rights participant/contributor, Dr. Forrest was a lover of all things-"St. Louis" and "Texas" – a true civic booster and family/proponent. He was an avid sports fan and season ticket holder of t he old St. Louis 'Big Red" Football Cardinal, St. Louis Baseball Cards and the St. Louis Rams. Dr. Forrest leaves a legacy of hard work and commitment to his family, profession, friends, and community, through an abundance of volunteerism and humanity. When asked in a recent interview on how he would like to be remembered he said, "As a person who worked hard for many years in his chosen field. I'd also like to be known as someone who tried to give to the best of my ability the service that was required in all situations." To send a Life Tribute or Condolences to the Forrest family, please click the "Sign Guestbook" link below.