Dr. Peter G. Sotiropoulos DDS

1924 - 2017

Sotiropoulos, Dr. Peter G., DDS, MS age 92, of O'Fallon, IL, formerly of Belleville, IL, born on November 1, 1924, in Springfield, IL, died on Friday, July 7, 2017, at the Dammert Geriatric Center at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, in Belleville, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents George Peter and Marie Cecilia, nee Honigman, Sotiropoulos; his brother, Dr. Gus Sotiropoulos; his sister, Bess Querry; and grandson Nicholas D. Sotiropoulos. He is survived by his wife, Betty A. Sotiropoulos, nee Brandt; and his children, Dr. George P. (Dr.Chris) Sotiropoulos of Louisville, KY, Sue (Dr. Richard) Rames of St. Louis, MO, Dr. Thomas D.(Jody) Sotiropoulos of O'Fallon, IL, and Tracy (Rainer) Zeck of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lindsay R. (Derek) Robertson, Dr. Richard D. Rames (fiancé, Jenn Kennedy), Doug R. (Kelsey) Rames, Ali M. Rames, Peter G. Sotiropoulos, Beth A. Sotiropoulos, Hanna M. Sotiropoulos, Sarah A. Sotiropoulos, Michael T. Sotiropoulos, Samuel R. Sotiropoulos, Rachel E. Sotiropoulos, Kristen A. Zeck, Eric R. Zeck, and Patrick C. Zeck; one great grandson, Owen R.Robertson; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dr. Sotiropoulos was a retired orthodontist, in private practice with his brother Gus, for 40 years. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1953, and was the first orthodontist to serve in the European theatre. Dr. Pete as he was affectionately known to his patients, students and colleagues, became a member of the faculty of the St. Louis University School of Dentistry in 1948, and was one of the first two graduates of the Orthodontic program at St. Louis University in 1950. He was promoted to rank of Professor in 1969, and served as Acting Chairman of the Department of Orthodontics in 1983-1984 and again in 1991-1992. He was selected to become the Chairman of the Graduate Department of Orthodontics at SLU in 1992, a post he held until 1998. He was also appointed Director of the Center for Advanced Dental Education (CADE) from 1994-1998. Dr. Pete remained a faculty member in the Department of Orthodontics until 2011, playing an integral role in the education of over 700 resident orthodontists, now practicing around the world. Services: Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017, at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL. A Trisagion Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Swansea, IL, with Father Achilles Karathanos officiating. Interment will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL. Memorials may be made to the Orthodontic Education and Research Foundation (OERF) at St. Louis University, 3320 Rutgers St., St. Louis, Mo. 63104. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.kasslyfuneral.com.