Irving B. Stern

Irving B. STERN D.D.S. With profound sorrow we mourn the death of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Irving B. Stern, age 89. The cause was pneumonia after years of bearing life's indignities with great dignity. A researcher with incomparable power of observation and an unprejudiced intellect in interpretation; a teacher of inspiring genius and vision and a human being of empathy and humility. In each of the many positions he held, he served with great dedication and grace. A dignified individual, his graciousness, integrity and high educational and moral standards were inherent in everything he did. He was born in New York City to Charles and Sophie Stern on September 12, 1920. Always a leader, he was Director of Commencement at City University of New York in 1941. He received his D.D.S. from New York University and his Periodontal Certification from Columbia University, where he taught for a time, before going to the University of Washington where he was a professor of Periodontology. He served also, as professor and chair of the Department of Periodontology at Tufts University School of Dentistry. His love and commitment to the students he mentored at Tufts are legendary: his expressed desire was for them to surpass him. He received a special research fellowship at the School of Medicine at the University of Washington from the National Institute of Health. He pursued a career in academia combining both clinical dentistry and basic research, utilizing electron microscopy and biochemistry. He was co-author of Periodontics and contributed the chapter on oral mucosa in Orban's Oral Histology and Embryology. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology, fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, member of the New York Academy of Science, the Royal Microscopical Society ofLondon, past President of the Academy of Ossiointegration (dental implants), Pierre Fauchard Academy, American Association of Dental Editors, Editorial Board of the Journal of Periodontology. The total list of his professional memberships are too numerous to mention. His awards and citations included the Orban Memorial Award from the Loyola Periodontal Alumni and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery. At his death he was affiliate professor in the Department of Oral Biology at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. All his achievements were the result of his passion for knowledge and not a quest for accolades. His love, warmth and depth of devotion to Charlotte, his wife of 63 years, to his children Andrea, Wendy Russell and Douglas (previously deceased), and to his beloved grandchildren Arlen Everist, Angela Cantwell, Brooke Morris, Ashley White-Stern, Sarah White-Stern and Camille White-Stern, and to his extended family and loving friends will be cherished. We mourn the loss, honor the life, and celebrate the legacy. We were fortunate, indeed, to have the benefit of the loving care and devotion of Elham Omer and Estera Costescu. The journey was filled with adventure and wisdom, laughter and love, gallantry and grace. Funeral service to be held at Butterworth Arthur Wright Chapel, 520 Raye Street, Seattle at 12:00pm on Friday, February 26th. Burial to follow at Hills of Eternity. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to Kline-Galland Center, Jewish Family Service, or a charity of your choice.