In memoriam

Dr. Alden Chase and his wife, Earlene.

Alden Chase SD'60, MS'63
Alden Chase was born July 2, 1925, in Denver, Colorado, and was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma where his parents owned Chase Potato Chip Company. He earned a bachelor's degree at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and married Earlene Stroud in 1946.

Dr. Chase served as a medic in the U.S. Army for two years working on hospital ships traveling between California and the Philippines. After his military service was complete, he earned a BS degree in medical technology from Loma Linda University in 1950.

He later attended the School of Dentistry, receiving his DDS degree in 1960. He then entered the School's orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics program, and received his MS degree in 1963. He joined the faculty and served for more than four decades as teacher, administrator, and twice as department chair. He served as Alumni Association president in 1969. He was named emeritus professor in 1997.

In addition to his many years of service to the School, Dr. Chase was a member of the University's Board of Trustees from 1990 to 2000, and served with distinction on the Board's executive committee.

Not only did Dr. Chase teach and practice orthodontics locally but he also served in Thailand, Africa, the Marshall Islands, and Mexico, teaching and relieving missionary dentists for short periods of time. For many years, he flew his own plane about once a month to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Monument Valley.

In his spare time Dr. Chase enjoyed traveling with his wife, Earlene. They went around the world in 1977 visiting countries in Europe, and stopping in Fiji and Australia on their journey. Dr. Chase was a skilled gardener and roses from his garden often were displayed in his office.

Dr. Chase passed away September 2, and a memorial service for was held September 7 in the University Church of Seventh-day Adventists. Classmates and colleagues took their turns remembering Dr. Chase's life work, talents, and generosity to all he came into contact with.

Dr. Chase was named University Alumnus of the Year during School of Dentistry graduation ceremonies in May, 2003. He is survived by his wife, Earlene, Alden Chase II (son), Pamela Chase (daughter), three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A Unique Facet of the Professional Life of Dr. Alden Chase by R. David Rynearson, DDS, MS When I think of Alden I think about someone who loved life and someone who wanted to help others be able to enjoy life as well. One way that he was able to do this was in the area of treating young people with craniofacial malformations. For many years he was a member of the Kaiser Fontana Craniofacial Team. As a member of that team he was involved with helping triage treatment for patients with cleft palate and other craniofacial malformations. In his private orthodontic practice he always had time to treat children and adults with these difficult orthodontic problems. On a personal note, the remuneration for treating these difficult cases has traditionally come from the state and has been less than one's regular fee, but despite this, he always felt a need to provide orthodontic care. This obvious altruistic activity had a positive effect on many of his colleagues. It is recorded in Mark 10:14 "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Perhaps there were children with craniofacial malformations in that crowd of children that were attracted to Christ. Alden's application of his unique skills to needy children adds new dimension to the University's motto "to make man whole." There have been countless children who have had their self-esteem strengthened by his care. His positive Christian outlook on life has been and will continue to be an inspiration for many of his colleagues. John Peterson, SD'70, MS'78, professor, orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, remembers Dr. Chase with this tribute: "Adequate teachers inform. The Great Ones inspire. Dr. Chase was a Great teacher! Unfortunately, I have not had the good fortune to have very many positive mentors in my life. However, Alden was an exceptional mentor. He listened well. He walked the walk. He seemed to understand. And, he led without pushing or dragging. For many years it has been my privilege and pleasure to tell all who will listen, that Dr. Chase is one of my Heroes. I already miss him!"

 

Dr. Erwin A. McDonald, SD'61, helped establish the yearly Phonathon.

Erwin A. McDonald SD'61
Erwin A. McDonald was born October 7, 1921, in Salem, Oregon. His mother, Adelia Fisher-McDonald, moved to Salem, Oregon, from Alberta, Canada, with his four brothers and two sisters. He attended school in the basement of the local Adventist Church with six grades in one room; a second room had grades 7 to 9 in it.

When Erwin was 141/2, he earned a permit to drive to school and he drove himself and three others to school. In the 10th grade he transferred to Laurelwood Academy in Gaston, Oregon. While there he became friends with a teacher and his wife. They were invited to teach at Gem State Academy in Caldwell, Idaho, and Erwin went with them. He began working part-time in a bakery and he was sent several times to Detroit, Michigan, to pick up new panel delivery trucks-which he enjoyed immensely.

The country was gearing up for possible war, and Norman McDonald, Dr. McDonald's younger brother, encouraged him and a few friends from Laurelwood Academy to find work in Bremerton Navy Yard in Washington State. He joined them and completed a program to become a journeyman pipe fitter.

In 1944 Dr. McDonald was drafted, and was stationed at Camp Polk, Louisiana. Shortly after WWII ended he moved to Loma Linda and opened a plumbing business; he also began selling insurance at night.

While in Loma Linda, he became good friends with Dr. Lloyd Baum, professor emeritus, who urged him to attend University of Redlands at night for two years, and then he was accepted into the School of Dentistry.

Dr. Mac is the most familiar name by which his children and many colleagues have known him, conveying the respect and admiration they felt for him. Dr. Judson Klooster, then a part-time faculty member, became acquainted with Dr. McDonald while he was a dental student (1959-1961).

Dr. Mac graduated at the end of Dr. Charles Smith's first year as dean and was immediately recruited for faculty service in the department of restorative dentistry. In addition, he began a private dental practice in San Bernardino. In 1967 he was elected to the national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. In 1980, the School's Alumni Association elected him Alumnus of the Year.

His teaching role continued through 1981, when Dr. Smith recommended to the University president that he be invited to serve as a member of the Loma Linda University Board of Trustees. There he and his former dean, Dr. Smith, served together as Dentistry's representatives from 1981 through 1990.

Dr. McDonald had lifetime memberships in organizations including the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Tri-County Dental Society, and National Association of Seventh-day Adventist Dentists. He practiced dentistry until he was 79 years old.

He was active in the School of Dentistry Alumni Association and Century Club. He is credited with starting the alumni Phonathon in 1972, actively participating until 2001. He had leadership roles in Campus Hill Adventist Church; and served the University Seventh-day Adventist Church as elder, deacon, Sabbath School superintendent, and as a member of the Church board. He also has been part of numerous mission trips to Mexico (several of them with Liga International), beginning in 1981. He served on the Liga Board from 1982 to 1987.

He enjoyed participating in outdoor activities with his family, including desert off-roading, snow skiing, water skiing, houseboating; and he and Pearl enjoyed traveling and taking cruises.

 

Information for this section taken from "LLU professor devoted life to teaching, missionary dentistry," The Sun-San Bernardino County, Sept. 10, 2003; & tributes to Erwin A. McDonald by Norman McDonald & Dr. Judson Klooster.