LLU School of Dentistry Journal

Journal

Spring 2002

In memoriam
Robert Clement

Robert and Mary Lou Clement

Dr. Clement received his DDS degree from the University of Tennessee Medical Units College of Dentistry at Memphis, in 1956. He married the love of his life, Mary Lou, a nurse, on December 20, 1953. After graduation Dr. Clement worked in private practice in Memphis, Tennessee, for three years, and then began military service in the Air Force.

During his military career he served as dental officer, at General Kessler AFB, Missouri; assistant director, dental services, at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan; chief, dental professional services, at Homestead AFB, Florida; and director of dental services, at Iraklion, Crete. He attained the rank of Colonel and his service was recognized through numerous military honors, including USAF Chief Dental Award; Air Force Commendation Medal; Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster), and Outstanding Unit Citation.

After serving 30 years in the Air Force, Dr. Clement faced something many people would look forward to—retirement. Though he didn’t know anyone at LLU, it wasn’t long before he wrote a letter to the School of Dentistry, mentioning that throughout his career he had worked with new dental graduates and that he had a strong desire “to make a difference… [training] efficient and productive dentists while maintaining a high quality of patient care.”

The letter was referred to Lane Thomsen, SD’65, MS’74, associate professor, ODRP. The correspondence led to a breakfast meeting, and Dr. Thomsen invited Dr. Clement to serve as a part-time faculty member volunteering two days a week.

In 1988, he was appointed assistant professor, oral diagnosis, radiology, and pathology. A note in Dr. Clement’s file, written by Thor Bakland, SD’62, describes Dr. Clement as demonstrating “Christian commitment to dental education and a worthy role model for our students and younger faculty members.” In a letter dated May 21, 1992, Dr. Judson Klooster describes him as being a “valuable strength to the department…I know your colleagues are counting on you for years to come.”

Dr. Clement was named chief, oral diagnosis section, ODRP, on January 1, 1996. In 1999, 11 years after he began teaching, he was named director of clinical services, a position he held until his death January 24, 2002.

In their spare time, Drs. Clement and Thomsen enjoyed crafting wood into beautiful pens. Many in the School family have a pen, keychain, or card holder, gifts that were crafted by Dr. Clement.

According to Paul Richardson, SD’72, associate dean, clinic administration, “projects Dr. Clement was working on included a new chart system and developing an informed consent form.” Developing an informed consent procedure was important to Dr. Clement, whose commitment to providing thorough information to each patient was in part as a result of positive experiences he had while receiving cancer treatment at UCLA School of Medicine. Documents he developed were sent to LLU legal counsel and were returned with full endorsement.

David Brodeur, SD’71, shared an office with Dr. Clement. “Mentoring students was one of the things he enjoyed most, and he was good at it.”

“The School has a mission and exists to make a difference in people’s lives,” Dr. Clement would say. “When I work here, I have the opportunity to make a difference in the student’s lives.”

“During my military career I accomplished many things. Yet that means nothing to me compared to this School. I’ve enjoyed working here more than any place I have worked during my career,” he told Dr. Brodeur.

Dr. Clement was a member of LLUSD Century Club and the Dean’s Circle, and the National Association of Seventh-day Adventist Dentists. In 1990 he was named Teacher of the Year for the School. He will be greatly missed.Dr. Henry Kahn died peacefully October 28, 2001, at his home in Palm Springs, California.

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