Remembering Dr. Rinehart

During World War II, when much of the United States was seized with fear of Americans of Japanese descent, Dean Roy J. Rinehart chose to guide the UKC School of Dentistry down a different path. He let it be known that his school would welcome Japanese American students with open arms. That message made its way to Hawaii where a handful of desperately hopeful students decided to take him up on his offer.

George Tanaka (DDS ’49) recalled his acceptance letter, “I had tears of joy when a telegram came to me in 1945 saying, ‘Come on over —see you September 17. R.J. Rinehart.’ To us he was a man who had the foresight, courage, strength and faith to accept us as human beings who are equal.” Since the war Dr. Tanaka and equally devoted Hawaii alumni have expressed their gratitude by actively recruiting Hawaiian students to attend UMKC, and the School continues to welcome them as Dr. Rinehart did, with open arms. Today the School has 130 alumni living in Hawaii.