Dr. Stan Lotzkar, who was a faculty member at the college from 1972 to 1989, passed away on January 15, 2013. He had a long career in dentistry before becoming one of the first faculty members at our college and was passionately committed to dental public health.
“Stan helped recruit me and played a large part in my decision to come to the University of Florida and strongly encouraged me to pursue board certification in dental public health, said Dr. Teresa A. Dolan, D.D.S., M.P.H., professor and dean. “He was a wonderful mentor to me and many other dentists interested in special needs dental education and service. I was very sad to learn of his passing.”
Below are Dr. Lotzkar’s obituary and email comments that his colleagues shared on a listserv after learning of his passing. The emails share a sense of his personality, and the warmth and respect that his peers had for him.
Stanley Lotzkar, D.D.S., MPH, died on January 15, 2013 in Gainesville, Fla. He was 88. Dr. Lotzkar, a public health dentist, earned his undergraduate degree from City College, New York in 1944, his dental degree from New York University in 1950 and the Master of Public Health degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1965. He was certified as a diplomate in Dental Public Health in 1965 and served as the Executive Secretary of the American Board of Dental Public Health from 1982 until 2003. He was a Pharmacist’s Mate 2/c in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1944 to 1946.
After graduating from dental school, Dr. Lotzkar entered the United States Public Health Service where he served, first attached to the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska and Maryland, followed by research and administration in dental public health until his retirement in 1971.
Following his military career, Dr. Lotzkar was a professor of Community Dentistry at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He served as Chairman of the Department of Community Dentistry from 1976-82. After his retirement in 1989 he was appointed professor emeritus. He was a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the American Public Health Association and a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society and in 1969 was awarded the New York University College of Dentistry Alumni Lecture Award. The Lotzkar fund was established by the American Board of Dental Public Health in honor of his retirement as Executive Secretary in 2003 to advance the specialty of Dental Public Health.
Dr. Lotzkar enjoyed growing orchids, photography, Gator sports, and travel, and was a devoted and loving father, grandfather and husband and especially enjoyed traveling with his wife to many parts of the world. He was a long time member of Congregation B’nai Israel in Gainesville.
Born October 15, 1924 in New York, New York to Miriam and Morris Lotzkar, he spent his early years in the Bronx, New York. He is predeceased by a son, Michael David Lotzkar (2006) and is survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis Gassman Lotzkar; sister, Francis; children, Robert Steven Lotzkar, Richard Alan Lotzkar and grandchildren, Jessica and Benjamin.
Funeral Services will be conducted Friday, January 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., in Congregation B’nai Israel, 3830 NW 16th Blvd., in Gainesville, Fla., with Rabbi David Kaiman officiating. Interment will follow in B’nai Israel Cemetery, corner of East University Avenue and Waldo Road. Funeral arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 North Main Street. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to Congregation B’nai Israel, 3830 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, Fla. 32605.
Stan was a wonderful man, dedicated DPHer, and a mentor and role model to many of us. Many may know him as the long-time Executive Director of ABDPH and faculty member at University of Florida College of Dentistry. The world will be a little poorer without him. — Scott Tomar
Clearly, he was a mentor to so many of us in more than just professional ways. I recall many an occasion when his personal guidance and ‘shepherding’ were precious, as was his caring. And what a wealth of history Stan was, both for dentistry in the PHS and DPH during his Florida days. As was said, we are poorer today with the loss of Stan Lotzkar. RIP kind sir! — Reginald Louie
I don’t know about food preferences, but as a younger friend, I remember well conversations of Stan’s preference for his Florida Gators, attending both football and basketball national championship games (and there have been many in both). His cherished membership among the “Gator Nation” is also one cherished among the public health dentistry nation. He may be gone, but will not be forgotten. –Stuart A. Lockwood, DMD, MPH
I always remember Hersh telling me that some of his initial work with the Division of Dentistry was following Stan around in Kansas City providing care for the elderly and homebound. Stan was wonderful and among other things he was responsible for the film called the Vigil of Jenny Fay [sp]. Viewing this film was an absolute promise to bring tears by all that watched which was about providing oral health care for the homebound and institutionalized. A challenge we have yet to address. –Alice M. Horowitz
He will surely be missed. I remember him prepping dental public health residents considering taking the boards. He brought professionalism, caring, order and humor to that process and everything he did for dental public health. The world is dimmer without him. Condolences. –Victor Badner
Stan was amazing in his vision, his work and his mentoring – and his humor. Alice and I were just talking about his work today without knowing this news. He will be missed! — Dushanka Kleinman
Stan was a wonderful person; so kind & very committed to DPH, a true role model. He will be missed. –Catherine Hayes
Stan was the backbone of the ABDPH and helped get them back to a budget surplus. When he was with the Division of Dentistry in the 1960s he did the 1st demonstration programs on using portable dental equipment in nursing homes in Kansas. We will miss him. –Myron All
Stan will be remembered for a lot of accomplishments and his character but the memory of him that brings the biggest smile to my face is when he serenaded the American Board of Dental Public Health dinner with his harmonica. –Mark Siegal
Sad news indeed. A fine person and truly dedicated to dental public health. He will remain vibrant in our memories. R.I.P. Stan. — Caswell A. Evans