CDA Essentials 2017 • Volume 4 • Issue 6

38 | 2017 | Issue 8 O bituaries REMEMBERING DENTISTRY LEADERS Dr. John Blackmer of Fredericton, New Brunswick, passed away on August 7, 2017. He was 89 years old. Dr. Blackmer received his DDS from Dalhousie University in 1953 and later completed a Master’s degree in public health at the University of Michigan. Dr. Blackmer started his career in Saint John, dividing his time between private practice and the operation of a dental clinic for children of low-income families. Following completion of his graduate studies, he became the first full-time appointee in dental public health at Dalhousie University. He would later become head of the division of community dentistry. After acting as director of student dental health and assistant professor of social dentistry at Tufts University in Boston for a few years, Dr. Blackmer came back to New Brunswick in 1972 to become the province’s director of dental health. A staunch defender of those in need, he travelled the province as part of a mobile dental service program for low income children, and he was instrumental in introducing the province’s fluoride mouthrinse program in public schools. John was known for his kind heart and quiet dignity. Whether you were the bank president or the bank teller, he treated you equally, with kindness and respect. Dr. Blackmer is survived by his wife of 55 years Dolores, his son Jeffrey, and two grandchildren. a Dr. Richard Emery of Montreal passed away on September 6, 2017. He was 65 years old. Dr. Emery graduated from McGill University in 1976 and went on to complete a specialty in oral surgery at McGill in 1979. He was a leader in the Canadian oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) community, and served on staff at both the Montreal General Hospital and Montreal Children’s Hospital. He also served with the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CAOMS) as the secretary-treasurer of the CAOMS Foundation for Continuing Education and Research. Dr. Emery had a long involvement with the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC), beginning in 1997 as an examiner. He served as a councillor in OMFS from 2001–06, before taking on leadership roles with the organization, including a 2-year term as RCDC president in 2008–10. We spoke with Dr. Emery’s colleague at his private specialty practice, Dr. Marie Dagenais. “I had the privilege of practising in Dr. Emery’s office for the past 6 years and Rick was a kind man and a conscientious surgeon,” says Dr. Dagenais. “Rick was not only a good surgeon, but a wise man. I enjoyed getting advice from him on professional issues or discussing current political events. He always tried to understand people and remained nonjudgmental. I already miss him.” Dr. Emery is survived by his wife Dr. Laurie Snider and their three children, Matthew, Ryan and Tess. a DR. JOHN BLACKMER DR. RICHARD EMERY