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Dr. Lawrence H. Meskin
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Dr. Lawrence H. Meskin, the renowned dental educator, researcher and clinician who served as editor of The Journal of the American Dental Association throughout the 1990s, died unexpectedly June 26. He was 71 years old.
Dr. Meskin, of Denver, was playing tennis with Estelle, his wife of 48 years, when he collapsed. Hundreds of Dr. Meskin’s friends and colleagues joined the Meskin family in mourning at funeral services held June 29 at Denver’s Temple Sinai. Dr. Meskin was buried in Mount Nebo Cemetery, Aurora, Colo.
"We have lost a stalwart of American dentistry," said Dr. Kathleen Roth, American Dental Association president. "Dr. Meskin represented the very best of our profession. He was a caring, thoughtful man, a monumental figure and a genuinely good person. He will be sorely missed."
ADA Executive Director James B. Bramson added, "The entire community of dentistry is deeply saddened by the loss of an outstanding member of our profession and a true friend to dentistry. Our hearts go out to his family and many friends."
Dr. Meskin received his dental degree from the University of Detroit in 1961, later moving to the University of Minnesota where he taught for 20 years and earned three more degrees: master of science in oral pathology, master of public health and doctor of epidemiology.
In 1981, he was named dean of the University of Colorado School of Dentistry, serving in that post through 1987. He remained at Colorado thereafter, holding a number of other staff positions, including vice president for academic affairs and research, and dean of the dental school’s continuing education program. He also was a professor in the medical school’s Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics.
In a tragic irony, Dr. Meskin had just retired from the university barely two weeks before his death.
Dr. Meskin was named editor of JADA in 1990 and held the post until December 2001. In a tribute to him when he retired as editor, ADA Publisher Laura A. Kosden credited Dr. Meskin with making JADA "a publication that speaks directly to the needs of the dental clinician, offering practical information that dentists can use to improve patient care."
Dr. Meskin was a member of the Colorado Dental Association and the Metropolitan Denver Dental Society, as well as the ADA.
In addition to his wife, Estelle, he is survived by a son, Scott, who is a physician; a daughter, Sarah Goldblatt; a brother, Michael; and three grandchildren, Alie, Andrew and Hailey.
The ADA Foundation has established a memorial fund in Dr. Meskin’s name, the dollars to be used in support of dental education. Checks can be mailed to the American Dental Association Foundation, 75 Remittance Drive, Suite 1178, Chicago, Ill. 60675-1178. Contributions also can be made online at "www.adafoundation.org".
The ADAF will acknowledge all contributions, and the Meskin family will be notified of your gesture. The family also recommends contributions to Temple Sinai in lieu of flowers or other gifts.
