CDA Essentials 2017 • Volume 3 • Issue 4

46 | Volume 3 Issue 4 46 O bituaries REMEMBERING DENTISTRY LEADERS Dr. Arthur Schwartz of Winnipeg passed away on January 20, 2016. He was 92 years old. Dr. Schwartz’s long and fruitful career touched on several facets of dentistry: the military, the private sector, government, and the academic world. A 1945 graduate from the University of Toronto, he started his career with the Royal Canadian Army Dental Corps and was stationed in the North Atlantic and England during the Second World War. Upon his return in 1947, he opened a dental practice in Kenora, Ontario. Dr. Schwartz’s involvement in public health began at the provincial level in 1955 when he was appointed director of dental services for the Manitoba Department of Health. He would later work in the Medical Services Branch of Health Canada as regional dental officer and regional director for Manitoba, and then as regional director for Ontario. The health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people was always a priority of Dr. Schwartz, and taking part in the delivery of public health care services brought him a great sense of satisfaction. In 1978, Dr. Schwartz became dean of dentistry at the University of Manitoba, a position he held for 11 years. He then transitioned to organized dentistry, being appointed associate director of professional service with CDA in 1991. He also chaired the CDA council on education and accreditation, and was a former president of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry. Dr. Peter Cooney, former Chief Dental Officer of Canada, met Dr. Schwartz when he moved to Manitoba. “Art was a mentor to me,” says Dr. Cooney. “He showed empathy and ethics in his approach to dental service delivery and education, and yet was very pragmatic in his recommended solutions to issues.” Dr. Schwartz’s tremendous contributions to the profession were recognized by a number of awards, including the CDA Distinguished Service Award, honourary memberships from the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) and CDA, life memberships with the MDA and the Winnipeg Dental Society, and fellowships with the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, Royal College of Dentists, and Pierre Fauchard Academy. He also received the Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Outreach Award for meritorious service in outreach activities from the University of Manitoba where he was also named dean emeritus. Moreover, a lecture theatre bears his name at the College of Dentistry. Despite his demanding career, Dr. Schwartz found the time to support organizations that were close to his heart, including the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation and Easter Seals Canada. He also served as district governor and national president of the Kinsmen Club, and as secretary of the World Council of Service Clubs. Furthermore, his keen interest in politics led him to play an active role with the Conservative Party of Manitoba, for which he acted as executive director. Dr. Schwartz was a hockey fanatic! It was his love of the sport that brought him to Kenora to start his first private practice. The Kenora Thistles had a glorious past and he was eager to contribute to their success—which he did. The team, which was crowned intermediate hockey Canadian champion in 1952–53 when he was its vice-president, was inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. Dr. Schwartz is survived by his five children, Bart, Ainsley, Brent, Alyson and Blair. a DR. ARTHUR SCHWARTZ