Gordon Henry Rovelstad Dds Usn Captain

On April 13, 2009 of Columbia, Maryland. Husband of the late Barbara J. Rovelstad; beloved father of Martha Caulfield, Andrew T. Rovelstad and Craig Rovelstad, grandfather of Kirsten, Jordan, Savanna, Maya and the late Peter; brother of Randolph Rovelstad and Dorothy Nesse, he is also survived by many nieces ans nephews. Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Gordon H. Rovelstad to the Children's National Medical Center 111 Michigan Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20010. Gordon H. Rovelstad -EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS Gordon H. Rovelstad retired as Executive Director for the American College of Dentists in December, 1992, the culmination of an expemplary career in dentistry. Actually, Dr. Rovelstad managed to achieve a number of different careers in dentistry and he proved himself to be outstanding in each one; he has been a general practitioner, a pediatric dentist, a clinician, a clinical professor, a Navy career dentist, a scientist and researcher, an administrator and an educator. He has repeatedly demonstrated his ability, as a leader among leaders in numerous professional organizations, in a career that has accented his total dedication to the dental profession. Throughout his lifetime, he has believed strongly in paying attention to detail, going by the rules and holding to the highest possible standards. Dr. Rovelstad received his dental degree for Northwestern University and later returned there for his MSD and PhD degrees. He joined the Northwestern Dental School faculty as an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry and soon became Chief of Pediatric Service at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He was called to active duty in the Korean War, serving with the First Marine Division in Korea, and he remained in service for a career in the Navy, specializing in dental research. His abilities and commitment were soon recognized and he eventually became the head of the Navy's dental research program. With almost every organization in which he participated, he quickly rose to be a leader. Along the way, he has been President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, President of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, President of the International Association for Dental Research, President of the William John Gies Foundation, Chairman of the Graduate and Postgraduate Education Section at the American Association of Dental Schools and President of the American College of Dentists. When his Navy career was over, he returned to the academic world as a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Mississippi. He was soon appointed as Assistant Dean for Education Programs and he intended to remain at the school for the rest of his professional life. However, he was elected to the ACD Board of Regents and became ACD President in 1979-1980 when the College was searching for a new Executive Director. Though he did not seek the position, the job sought him when members of the Board were convinced that he was their choice. He was gradually persuaded to accept the appointment and he became the ACD Executive Director in 1981. During his twelve-year term, the College has increased in size by nearly 30%, has established a computerized office management system, has chartered ten new Sections and has acquired a national headquarters office space that the ACD owns without debt. There has been increasing interest and a greater amount of activities throughout the College in recent years. Wherever he has been and in all of his varied careers, Dr. Rovelstad has set standards for excellence, with many of these standards still in effect. Throughout his entire fifty years of professional life, he has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and of his legions of friends in dentistry. Yet, for all of his well-deserved honors, awaards and accomplishments, Dr. Rovelstad has remained unassuming, considerate, kind and thoughtful to all who know him and work with him, a genuinely nice person. The world of dentistry has greatly benefited by his efforts and contributions and he certainly has earned the right to retire. The entire dental profession, and particularly the American College of Dentists, can say to Gordon Rovelstad, "Thank you and WELL-DONE!!" Keith P. Blair From the Editor's Desk