Class Notes

Classes of the 2010sClasses of the 2000sClasses of the 1990sClasses of the 1980sClasses of the 1970sClasses of the 1960sClasses of the 1940s and 1950s

Classes of the 2010s

Amy Leiker (DDS ’10) married Michael in 2013 and they have three children: Thomas (5), Mary Claire (3) and Grace (1).

Letrisha Thomas (DDS ’10) has three children: Brock, born 2014; Grace, born 2017; and Rhett, born 2018. In August 2019, her family moved into their forever home, which they built on 25 acres.

Jon Kinderknecht (DDS ’12) welcomed a daughter Clara in December 2019.

Anthony Altomare (DDS ’13, Endo ’17) welcomed a daughter Nora in January 2020.

Riley Anderson (DDS ’15) is still doing public health in Sedalia, Mo. He and Maggie are working on rapidly growing their family and were due with twins in spring 2020.

Colin J. Cicchetti (DDS ’15) married Kaylynn (Haeremeyer) Cicchetti on Sept. 1, 2018, and they had their first child, Oliver, on Aug. 26, 2019.

Kathryn (KC) Holthaus (DDS ’15) got married in 2015 to Turner Holthaus and welcomed their first child, Paige, in April 2019. Kathryn is currently chief resident at NYU Pediatric Dental Residency.

Taylor Merklein (DDS ’15) had a son, Henry, in 2016 and is working as an associate at Atchison Dental Associates in Atchison, Kan. She loves learning new techniques, especially guided implant surgeries, and learning about sleep problems, Healthy Start and sleep appliances.

Lisa Seim (DDS ’15) opened an orthodontic practice in Lake St. Louis, Mo., in February 2019. It is called Seim Orthodontics and is in the same building as her husband’s practice, Seim Chiropractic.

Pat Stamos (DDS ’15) is married to Christina Gardner (DDS ’15). Pat opened his own endodontic practice in Columbia, Mo., where Christina took over a pediatric dental practice from her father, John Gardner (DDS ’68).

Ashley Asano (DDS ’14) will be starting residency in endodontics at the University of Minnesota in June 2019.

Andrew Bruening (DDS ’14) and Carissa Bruening (DDS ’16) had a baby girl, Renyn Marie, on Sept. 6, 2018.

Nathan Schmidt (DDS ’14) recently bought his own solo practice in Goodland, Kansas, called Goodland Dental Arts. His wife, Sara, and he have two children. Kendrick is 15 and Bella is 16 months old.

Carly Knewston Havner (MSDH ’17) has a publication in the October issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene regarding her graduate research on dental hygiene education. Marsha Voelker, associate professor of dental hygiene, was her research chair. Carly lives in Hawaii

Matthew (DDS ’11) and Robin Hildebrand (DDS ’11) opened a third Hildebrand Dental location in Weston, Mo., in January. They also recently completed a large renovation of their Smithville, Mo., location.

Kyle Shull (DDS ’11) opened Bear Creek Family Dental in Columbia, Mo., in June 2018.

Jeff Kohlmeier (DDS ’12) and his wife Lora welcomed their third child in November 2017.

Daniel Riordan (DDS ’10) was honored as the 2017 MDA Outstanding New Dental Leader on November 3, 2017, at the MDA House of Delegates in Jefferson City. The award is designed to recognize a member of the MDA who has been in practice 10 years or fewer and has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, professional and ethical conduct, and volunteer activities in their community and organized dentistry. After dental school, Dr. Riordan began practicing with her father, Mark Zust (DDS ’74) at Family Dentistry of St. Peters.

Chris G’Sell (DDS ’13) and Emily Johnson (DDS ’11) were married June 30, 2018.

Ben Hechler (DDS ’13) married Courtney Cooper in Gastonia, N.C., on November 11, 2017.

Andrea Rice (DDS ’14) has purchased Alan Marcotte’s (DDS ’88) long established practice in Winfield, Kan., while also completing her commitment with the National Health Service Corp. She, her husband, Jonathon, and her two children, Alexis and Riley, reside in Winfield, Kan.

Paul Hechler (DDS ’17) and Elizabeth Wilkinson (DDS ’17) were married March 10, 2018, in Leawood, Kan.

Josh Kiene (DDS ’17) has joined the practice that his late grandfather, James Kiene (DDS ’56), started and has continued with Josh’s father, Pete Kiene (DDS ’86). The family practice has been in Shawnee, Kan., for over 60 years.

Classes of the 2000s

Joanne Brown (DDS ’00) says she “kept the same husband from dental school,” and they have “five extremely spoiled cats.” Her passion is travel, which she does as much as possible.

Julie Hotz-Sudekum (DDS ’00, AEGD ’01) says after graduation from UMKC, she moved back to her hometown of St. Louis and joined Sunset Hills Dental Group, where she still practices. She married her husband, Peter, in 2006, and they have three sons: Peter (12), Tristan (11) and Joey (8).

Brian Morrison (DDS ’00) has been involved with high-power rocketry and has led a team of middle school children to the national finals held in Washington, D.C., for the Team America Rocketry Challenge two years in a row.

Michelle Lim (DDS ’05, AEGD ’06) married in 2017 and had a baby in January 2020.

Patrick Moore (DDS ’05, OMFS ’12) is part-time faculty for the Oral Surgery Program at UMKC and has a private practice with Pacific Dental Group.

Nealy Newkirk (DDS ’05) is a member of the American College of Dentists, serves the UMKC Dental Alumni Board as a trustee, and is a KDA delegate and past president of KDA 1st district.

Howard Goldberg (DDS ’06) welcomed daughter Reagan in March 2020.

Amanda Wood Fitzpatrick (DDS ’09) has two daughters: Morgan was born in 2011 and Emma was born in 2014.

Tara Pool (DDS ’09) has been married or 16 years and has three daughters: Madeline, 10; Lucy, 7; and Ella, 3. She is a solo private practice owner in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Barbara Schupp (DDS ’09) completed pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital Colorado in 2014. She is practicing at Lawrence (Kansas) Pediatric Dentistry.

David Thome (DDS ’01) has completed a pediatric residency at Nova Southeastern University and is a Pediatric Specialist at NC Pediatric Dentistry in Locust, N.C.

Cabel McDonald (DDS ’07) purchased Longview Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Longview, Wash.

Melissa Smith (DDS ’07) was named the 2018 Missouri Small Business Person of the Year. She is the owner and managing dentist of Washington Smile Complete Health Dentistry in Washington, Mo.

John Copeland (DDS ’09) was named an ADA “10 Under 10.” After reviewing more than 200 nominations, the ADA selected Dr. Copeland of Wildwood, Mo., as one of 10 all-stars in dentistry. ADA’s 10 Under 10 award honors dentistry’s rising stars: dentists who are making an impact on the profession less than 10 years after graduating from dental school. These winners are making a difference and inspiring their colleagues through their work in science, research and education, practice excellence, philanthropy, leadership and advocacy. He was an active student leader while at UMKC, helping to establish the Dr. John Killip Student Leadership Award when he was president of the SOD Student Council. He is an active leader in the Missouri Dental Association as well as local civic organizations and has been instrumental in securing donations for charities he supports. He is a key organizer of the MDA’s annual Connect4Success Conference for new dentists and colleagues say he, “elicits hope for the future of organized dentistry.”

Classes of the 1990s

Thomas Stone (DDS ’90) has been married to Rachel for 34 years. He is practicing in Springfield, Mo., and has three kids. Andrew (31) is an architect working in Austin, Texas. William (28) is a director of photography in Los Angeles, and Sarah (24) is a seminary student at Duke.

Stephanie Altenburg (DDS ’95) practices with her husband, Tim (DDS ’04). She says, “Life is good, beyond blessed. Our boys are now both in their 20s and making us proud.”

Michael T. Gardner (DDS ’95) married Jennifer in April 2017. His oldest son Jacob (22) finished three years at KU and is now a firefighter. Cole (20) is in his third year at KU studying business, and his stepson, Kadyn, is a sophomore at Hayden High School in Topeka, Kan.

Sam Huckabee (DDS ’95) has five children and loves doing mission work in Mexico. He also teaches implant courses.

John Joseph (DDS ’95) has three children: two graduated with honors, and his 13-year-old, Rocco, was recognized by the state of Missouri for baseball and basketball. John is celebrating 25 years of marriage.

Junée Gardy (DDS ’94) is happily married to Dean Gardy. They will celebrate their 25th anniversary this year. She is a Rotarian and on the executive board of the Collier County Dental Association. Their daughter, Jessica, is a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University. Junée still has her own full time practice and loves it.

Melanie Huckabee (DDS ’94) works in Kansas City with her husband, Sam Huckabee (DDS ’95). They have five children, with the oldest son playing college football and following a pre- dental path.

Bryan Bonnet (DDS ’99) built a new office in 2015 between Glenpool and Jenks, Oklahoma. He has been married to his beautiful wife, April, for 25 years. Their children both attend the University of Oklahoma, where Bryce is a 4th year student and Brenan is a 2nd year.

Clarence E. Simmons (DDS ’96, Ortho ’98) was presented the (School of Dentistry) Health Care Provider Diversity Award by Chanelle Roberts (DDS Class of ’20) at the fourth annual Health Sciences Diversity Scholarship Dinner and Dance. The UMKC Hospital Hill Diversity Council hosted the event, Sat., Feb. 10, 2018, at the UMKC Student Union. The goal of the gala is to raise funds to support an endowed scholarship dedicated to attracting and retaining students of color in the four UMKC health professions schools (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy).

Classes of the 1980s

Donna Gardner (DDS ’80) sold her solo practice in 2018 after 40 years. She is now enjoys doing some traveling locum tenens work, which is very different – clock in and clock out and no overhead! She is healthy and has four wonderful grandchildren.

David George (DDS ’80) has two children, two stepchildren, three grandchildren and a fourth on the way. He retired recently and took a motorcycle trip to the Canadian Rockies and Arizona.

Paul Gerhardt (DDS ’80) retired from the U.S. Navy in 2007 and now works part time in private practice.

Kirby Hatcher (DDS ’80) sold his practice and retired as of July 2019.

George Henderson (DDS ’80) retired in 2017. He says he loved dentistry every day, and loves retirement. He and his wife, Cheryl, have five kids and five grandsons.

William Kane (DDS ’80) has practiced in Dexter, Mo., for 39-plus years. He currently serves as president of the Missouri Dental Board.

Thomas R. Nichols (DDS ’80) retired in 2013.

Bill Panneck (DDS ’80) retired from dentistry in 2017. He is the senior executive pastor at Central Baptist Church, a church of 8,500 in Jonesboro, Ark.

Ronald Dean Schowengerdt’s (DDS ’80) grandson Maxwell Dean was born May 15, 2019. He was 5 lbs. 5 oz. and 19 inches long. Go figure!

Robert Thomure (DDS ’80) celebrated the 5th anniversary at his new location in downtown Kirkwood, Mo., by the addition of a second associate doctor.

Wade Warren (DDS ’80) retired in May 2018.

Remigius Eussen (DDS ’83, Pedo ’90) has been retired since January 2016. He volunteers and provides dentistry to the homeless, uninsured and needy at Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, Medical Teams International and Clark County Jail. In 2019, he received the Community Champions Award from Molina Healthcare.

Steve Brightwell (DDS ’85) retired on Jan. 31, 2019.

Jerry L. Johnson (DDS ’85) sold his practice in 2015 and has continued to work full time until this year. He is now working 2.5 days a week and will continue to slow down for the next few years.

Guillermo (Bill) Rodriguez (DDS ’85) is retiring soon. He is spending more time fishing in the Florida Keys.

Donald J. Sanchez (DDS ’85, Ortho ’06, MS ’06) raised his family in Montrose, Colo., and came back to UMKC to teach and earn his ortho certification and master’s in oral biology. He was the inaugural program director for an ortho program in Mesa, Ariz., and moved back to Kansas City after 12 years, saying “the third time is a charm. We are here for good.” He practices with Burleson Orthodontics. He and his wife of 40 years, Becky, have three grown children and six grandchildren “who are the loves of our life.”

Tim Welch (DDS ’85) has practiced 30 years as an OMS. He has four kids and loves what he does!

Kelly Burke Barnett (DDS ’84) and Mark C. Barnett (DDS ’84) maintained separate solo practices for 17 years and then practiced together for 14 years in Ozark, Missouri, before retiring in 2014. Now married for 34 years, they are enjoying traveling the world, spending time at the lake and making lots of fun memories with family and friends.

Steven Hechler’s (DDS ’84) son Paul (DDS ’17) will join his orthodontic practice in
the summer of 2019 after completing his ortho residency at the University of Iowa. Paul’s wife, Liz (DDS ’17), will complete her pediatric training there at the same time.

Mark Helfand (DDS ’84) is a widower and disabled by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. He is sad to have missed reunions and wants to say hello to his old friends.

Steven Irwin’s (DDS ’84) daughter, Peri, will graduate from UMKC Dental School in 2019.

Mary Susan (Barnes) Krotzinger (DDS ’84) moved to Ocala, Florida, in 2012 and is semi-retired, working two days a week at a large federally qualified health center. She volunteers at the University of Florida Natural History Museum in Gainesville, Florida, and is adjunct faculty at the University of Florida School of Dentistry.

Crystal A. Obee (DDS ’84) has been in Kinsley, Kansas, since graduation. She is active in her community, church and local dental societies and still married to Bob.

Todd Brower (DDS ’89) has a granddaughter, Kayce, who started kindergarten and a new grandson, Jude.

Kevin Hallgarth (DDS ’89) has been practicing orthodontics in Hudson, Ohio, for 25 years. He and his wife, Sheryl, have three children in college, and they adopted a little girl from China eight years ago who is now in the 5th grade.

Vincent Rapini (DDS ’80) was installed as the 149th president of the MDA on November 4, 2017 at the MDA House of Delegates in Jefferson City. Dr. Rapini maintained a private dental practice in Webster Groves, Mo., until the summer of 2017, when he became a full-time assistant clinical professor at the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville School of Dental Medicine, a position he began on a part-time basis in 2008.

Rita Burnett (DDS ’83) closed her private practice In Kansas City, Kan., in 2014 and was the dental director for Swope Health Services until 2016. She then started serving patient populations at assisted living and memory care facilities through Mobile Dental LLC with KC Mobile Dental in Johnson County, Kan., and continues to do so today.

Edward Cantrell (DDS ’88) started working part-time at UMKC School of Dentistry in 2015 and continues to work there two days a week in Restorative Clinical Sciences in Team 1.

Michelle B. Deutch’s (DDS ’88) son, Sam, completed his PhD and internship in psychology and has
joined his dad, Neal, in private practice.
Deutch’s daughter, Emily, is working at Cargill as a lab manager and food safety quality regulator supervisor and is also working on her Master’s Degree in molecular and cell biology
at UMKC.

Jay W. H. Cook (DDS ’88) has been married for 32 years to Laura. Their daughter is married and has moved to Charleston, S.C. Their son is graduating and going into law enforcement, and their other son is in seventh grade. Dr. Cook moved to a new location after his old office wss flooded. He is happy to report he has many of his dental school patients with him still!
Guy Resch (DDS ’89) has joined Tony Nichols (DDS ’09) and William Rasband (DDS ’09) at El Dorado Family Dentistry in El Dorado, Kan.

>Classes of the 1970s

Ronald Brown (DDS ’70) was promoted to associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, and was elected to the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. He is also an elected national liaison for the Colorado Basketball Officials.

Joe Figlineo (DDS ’70) has been married to Sharon for 51 years. They have two daughters and three grandkids. He retired from dentistry in 1982 and then taught middle school science at a private school for 33 years. He retired in 2019. He and his wife have lived in Denver since 1970.

Larry Johnson (DDS ’70, Ortho ’79) retired from his orthodontic practice in 2017.

Grant Merritt (DDS ’70; Adv Ed ’72) still has lunch once a week with classmates, a nearly 50-year tradition.

Robert Molinaro (DDS ’70) sold his practice and retired in 2015. He recently celebrated 50 years of marriage with his wife, Barbara. They have two children and five wonderful grandchildren.

William Roberts (DDS ’70) retired from chief dental service at the Oklahoma City VA in 1997; from the Navy Reserve as a captain in 1998; and from dental practice in 2005. He travels with this wife, Joyce, and has done some adventure travel with a Navy buddy.

Ronald Wehner (DDS ’70, Pedo ’72) retired in 2012.

David Hacker (DDS ’75) is semi-retired and works part time at a community health center.

Mark H. Kreutner (DDS ’75) retired in 2013 and enjoys life with his grandchildren and traveling with his wife of 44 years, Catherine.

Thomas J. McGarry (DDS ’75) is president of the American Board of Prosthodontics.

Terry McKenna (DDS ’75) is still working and has a son and two grandkids.

Kenneth Weinand (DDS ’77) retired after 43 years in February 2020.

Scott Roberson (DDS ’79) is serving on the Independence, Missouri, City Council. He has 4 grandchildren under 4 years old and still practices full time.

Rob Wilson (DDS ’79) has retired and moved to Texas after 27 years of private general practice and 11 years as a clinical instructor at UMKC School of Dentistry.

Stephen K. Young (DDS ’71) retired in January after 41 years at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.

Charles McGinty (DDS ’77) was honored with the 2017 Missouri Dental Association (MDA) Distinguished Service Award on Nov. 3, 2017, at the MDA House of Delegates in Jefferson City. The award is presented to a member with a long history of exemplary service and dedication to the dental profession and organized dentistry. Dr. McGinty’s commitment and dedication to the dental profession and organized dentistry is evidenced by his service in a number of roles in his 41 years of membership. He continues to practice at Associates of Dentistry in Joplin, Mo.

Douglas Arnett (DDS ’78) is retired and living the “beach life!”

David L. Vreeland (DDS ’79) retired in May 2018 after practicing for 34 years as an endodontist. He and his wife are thankful for their three children and five grandchildren.

>Classes of the 1960s

James Schatz’s (DDS ’60) daughter, Donna, reports her dad is 84 and lives in assisted living with his wife due to his Parkinson’s issues. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in December 2019. They have three living children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and another on the way.

John Mike Allen (DDS ’64) retired from active dental practice this year.

Robert C. Beaver (DDS ’64) retired Aug. 30 at age 80 after 54 years of practice.

Richard Bennett (DDS ’64) lost his son Brenton Bennett (DDS ’88) in a
motorcycle accident two years ago. They practiced together more than 25 years. Richard said Brenton was an icon of Emporia, Kansas. At the son’s visitation, more than 2,000 people lined up outside the church to pay their respects. His body was escorted to the burial by more than 100 motorcycle friends.

Michael D. Byers (DDS ’64) retired in 2004. He lives in Sun City West, Arizona, during the winters. His wife, Mary, passed away in July 2010. Michael remarried in 2012. He enjoys playing golf socially and creating stained glass.

Bill Hoffman (DDS ’64, Ortho ’68) says the beat goes on with his son, Kurt Hoffman (DDS ’94, Ortho ’96), and his grandson, Henry Hoffman, a dental student.

Richard McKinney (DDS ’64) says he and his wife, Carol, love to travel and play golf. He played golf in the Dominican Republic in March at the Punta Cana Coralis Course.

Ron Grout (DDS ’69) proudly reports he is 75 years old and still practicing full time. He loves the profession and is so happy he chose it – especially after getting to practice with his son, Jeff, for 22 years.
Ron says, “Here’s to the veterans of the 1969 Class.”

Larry F. Madsen (DDS ’69) is happily 10 years retired. He is enjoying traveling, hiking, lifelong learning courses and spending time with close friends.

Philip Ray (DDS ’69) retired after 46 years of dental practice. He is now serving as an Episcopal parish priest.

Charles M. Cobb (DDS ’64), Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, has become an Honorary Member of the American Laser Study Club (ALSC).

Terrel R. Myers (DDS ’69) has been named a 2017 Top Doctor in Dallas, Texas.

Classes of the 1940s and 1950s

John Windle (DDS ’49) is retired. He was a member of the Missouri Dental Board for 8 years and the Central Region Dental Testing Service for 20 years. He has a periodontic scholarship at UMKC and is a co-founder of the Dental Hygiene School at Missouri Southern State University.

Anton Pistotnik (DDS ’54) is retired.

Donald Reinhardt (DDS ’54) lost his wife Bonna in July 2004 after being married for 55 years. He married Helen Bentsen in 2005 and they recently celebrated their 13th anniversary. He is active in
the First United Methodist Church of Mission, Texas. He has been involved in Scouting for more than 70 years and remains active. In 2016 he was selected “Mr. Mission” by the Mission Chamber of Commerce and the local newspaper. This year he was selected to be on the Wall of Fame of the Mission Historical Museum.