Stuart Lieblich

Dr. Stuart Lieblich died peacefully in New York City on February 28th after a 6 month battle with esophageal cancer. He was born October 14th, 1955 in Rockville Center, New York to parents Phyllis and Severyn "Bernie" Lieblich.

Stu was an accomplished oral surgeon from Avon, Connecticut, and a clinical professor at both Cornell University and the University of Connecticut Dental School. He spent his teen years in New Jersey, followed by college at Rutgers University. He attended dental school at University of Pennsylvania and then residency at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn.

On a national level, his accomplishments included holding leadership positions in his specialty as an officer and President of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He also served on editorial boards of his specialty's publications and on national committees that defined parameters of care. Stu authored numerous papers and textbooks, and was a frequent and highly regarded presenter of symposia to educate the field. Locally, Stu held a leadership position at Connecticut Children's Medical Center (CCMC) and he took pride in his practice being consistently identified as best in Connecticut magazine. His most recent endeavor that brought him joy was working with the Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate team from CCMC.

Driven by a mission to use his skills to help others, he volunteered weekly at Cornell's oral surgery program where he received the teaching award in 2022, and traveled to Haiti to provide healthcare to under-resourced communities.

But more than his professional accolades, Stu was a caring father, devoted partner, and friend to many. Whether encountering Stu in the operating room, on the golf course, or raiding the airline lounge buffet on his many travels, he always found a way to make those around him laugh. He reveled in the opportunity to tell a funny story, especially if it came at his own expense. Despite his many accomplishments and accolades, he was humble and always eager to celebrate others. His joy was infectious, often looping others into the fun - if the radio was tuned to classic rock, he would proudly announce that he could "name any song in the first two bars." Stu's humility also expanded to the good things in life. As a wine connoisseur and food enthusiast whose tastes and kitchen skills ran the full gamut, he was just as likely to be found savoring a glass of fine red or devouring a $1.50 Costco hot dog.

Whether cooking an elaborate sous vide meal or running a road race with friends, Stu was always an absolute joy to be around and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his children Brett and Margot, daughter in law Ali Cumings and future son in law Nick Adolph, wife Lisabeth Shlansky, and her children Gabby and Ryan DiCarlo. He is also survived by his brother Mark Lieblich, sister in law Cathy Michaelson Lieblich, and the mother of his children Janot Bente, along with many more loving friends and family.

For those looking to honor the life and legacy of Stu, a gift can be made to either of the following organizations to continue building on his passion and professional contributions: the Anesthesia Research Fund of the American Dental Society of Anesthesia https://adsa.company.site/ARF-Donation-p155376527 or the OMS Foundation of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (https://secure3.convio.net/omsf/site/Donation2?df_id=1720&mfc_pref=T&1720.donation=form1)

Many thanks to Dr. David Ilson and his team at Memorial Sloan Kettering for their care and expertise.