In memoriam

Boris Belko, SD'63

Boris Belko (top left) and his group the Belko brass created a CD of hymnals in 2001. Pictured (front row from left) are Mark Johnson, Ed Wagner and Ivan Belko, Boris' brother. The group performed in Siberia, Moscow, Mexico, and Africa. During their travels, they distributed hundreds of Bibles.

Boris Belko was born November 1, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, to Walter and Jennie Belko. He has one older brother, Ivan, who shared his passion for music at a very young age. In 1939, the Belko family left New York to move to Glendale, until the threat of wartime separation forced their family to relocate to College Place, Washington. In the third grade Boris found his first real love, the trumpet, and became an outstanding musician, winning many competitions. He continued his education through grade school, high school, and then attended Walla Walla College. During his sophomore year he hitchhiked to La Sierra, California, to "see the big city." He graduated from Walla Walla College in 1957, and married Sharon Spillman that same year. He then served as the dean of men at Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, Minnesota, from 1957 until 1958, and the following year served as a ministerial intern with his father-in-law, Don Spillman. They had two children—a son, Buddy, in 1958, and Bobbi, a daughter, in 1961. In 1966 he became legal guardian of 15-year-old Marian Radke.

Dr. Belko entered the School of Dentistry in 1959 and graduated in 1963. He began practicing children's dentistry on Hole Avenue in Riverside, and continued through October, 1999.

He met his second wife, Debbie Gates-Claycomb, in 1983 at an Adventist Singles campmeeting in the Colorado Rockies, and they married on January 7, 1994. They resided in Riverside for the next 17 years with Debbie's son, Lloyd, and her daughter, Kresha. Over the next 11 years he traveled to Siberia, Moscow, Kiev, Nizhniy Nogorod, St. Petersburg, Guatemala City and Mwanza, Tanzania-Africa sharing his gift of music as performed by the Belko Brass, and leaving hundreds of Bibles. He retired in 1999, and built a home in Palm Springs, where he lived until his death on October 23, 2002.

Matthew Chun

Matthew Chun, a member of the dental class of 2005, passed away August 25, 2002, from severe head injuries sustained in a single car collision while returning to Loma Linda from a trip to Forest Falls.

Despite the best efforts of the medical professionals at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and Matthew's determination Matthew, to our great bereavement, could not recover.

Matthew's greatest contribution to the community was not through his death, but his life. As a family member, Matt always described himself as the most "reticent" of his clan, but those who knew him best were all to familiar with the great love he had for his mother, father, and sister (Melissa Chun, SD'02).

Matt tirelessly took on the simple, thankless jobs From taking out the trash to picking up a cousin from the train station) that make all the difference. In fact, he was always willing and even happy to perform such deeds.

He always lent a steadying hand to his sister when she needed it the most, and offered guiding advice to younger cousins. His nieces often chose Uncle Matt to play with. Even more closely he watched over and protected his parents. Through his many friendships and his voracious appetite for life, he picked up hobbies and sports including snow boarding, skateboarding, and surfing. Matt was always one to question what he was taught, seek the truth behind it, and decide for himself the right path to walk. Church members recall Matt as a familiar face at church. Always in the back pew and always listening closely, Matt truly loved God and held a close personal faith in Him. More than 1,000 individuals came to his memorial service, to say goodbye to Matthew. He was laid to rest in Montecito Thursday, August 29, 2002. His friends and loved ones hold dear the memories they have of him, and look forward to the day when we will be reunited with Matt.

Edward John Neill, SD'60

Edward John Neill, SD'60, died on August 6, 2002 in Fargo, North Dakota. Dr. Neill had a heart attack while shopping for groceries on August 2, 2002. After considerable delay they were finally able to resuscitate him, but he never regained consciousness. His condition continued to deteriorate and on August 6, with his family and friends surrounding him, Dr. Neill expired. He is survived by his wife, Christina, and two sons: David, age 22, and Edward James (Teddy), age 16.

Ed had a busy dental practice in Fargo and the family is endeavoring to find a dentist to assume the practice. If interested please contact the School of Dentistry at (909) 558-4607.

LeAnn Poland Truesdale, SD'90

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." This statement by Margaret Mead was the philosophy that guided LeAnn Poland Truesdale's life until she passed away April 24, 2002, from natural causes. Her many accomplishments are a testament to her beliefs.

LeAnn was born September 3, 1962, in Everett, Washington. She began her college education at La Sierra University and completed her undergraduate work at the University of California, Irvine, in 1984. She went on to obtain her master's degree in biochemistry in 1988 from Loma Linda University and graduated with distinction from the School of Dentistry in 1990, where she was a member of the American Dental Student Association and the dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon.

While attending dental school orientation she met another dental student, Terry Truesdale. It wasn't long before they realized they had much in common that that they were meant to be together. They discovered they were born in the same hospital in Everett, Washington, just two weeks apart.

Since LeAnn was born premature (weighing 3 pounds, 3 ounces), they were in the hospital at the same time. Their paths again crossed during orientation and their friendship grew as they studied together. They soon were inseparable. They obtained permission from the School to marry the summer after their sophomore year (students were required to ask permission to marry at the time!).

After graduation they moved to Las Vegas and began their professional lives together. Their office staff often heard the Truesdales speak of the good times they shared as dental students at Loma Linda University. LeAnn found great pleasure in doing quality dentistry and enjoyed getting to know her patients as persons.

LeAnn's interests were many. She relaxed from her professional life with church attendance, sports including kickboxing, running, skiing, snowmobiling, water sports, reading and cooking, and sharing time with family and friends.

During her 12 years of practicing dentistry she was actively involved in community and professional organizations. Her greatest concern was for the health and well being of children, and for this reason she devoted much of her time to several organizations which focus on the needs of underserved children in Clark County.

For these involvements she received countless honors from such organizations as Community Health Services of Southern Nevada, the United States Congress (special recognition for underserved children's dental health), the Southern Nevada Dental Society, the Junior League of Las Vegas, and the United States Public Health Service.

LeAnn was a member of the Clark County Dental Society where she served one term as president (1998-99). In the late 1990s she worked with fellow dentist, Senator Ray Rawson, R, Las Vegas, and others on legislation requiring regulation of fluoridation of Southern Nevada's water. She was a senior legislative representative with the Junior League of Las Vegas and supported programs that assisted battered women. She organized Books on Tape 2000 Literacy Program with the Junior League of Las Vegas. In 2001, she spoke at the Legislature in favor of a bill to provide a safe haven for unwanted newborns.

LeAnn had a continual quest for knowledge and entered the University of Nevada at Las Vegas's Boyd School of Law while continuing her practice of dentistry. She was involved in the Client Counseling Competition, and participated in the Organization of Women Law Students. In 1999 she interned as a law clerk in the offices of Curran and Parry and planned, after graduation in May, 2002, to obtain a part-time associateship with a patent law firm in Las Vegas. In 2001, she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Constitutional Law II. She has a publication pending dealing with legislation regarding juvenile competence in Nevada.

LeAnn P. Truesdale is survived by her husband, Terry Truesdale, SD'90, her parents, Mary Lynn and Gary Poland of Whidbey Island, Washington, sisters Elizabeth Marrow of Whidbey Island and Carol Lynn Poland of Laguna Beach, California, and by her grandmother, Edith Ferris of Everett, Washington.

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