Richard Hesby Obituary

Hesby, Richard Arden DDS, MSD Age 76, Estero, FL, passed away on January 1, 2014 in the comfort of his home. He was born on December 8, 1937 in Volga, SD to Ernest K. and Eleanor (Peterson) Hesby and grew up in Lake Preston, SD. Dick attended Northwestern University Dental School where he met his wife Joyce. Following graduation in 1961, Dick served in the US Navy Dental Corps for 23 years, which included tours with the VAW-11 Early Warning Squadron and onboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CVS-20) during the Vietnam War. In 1971, he completed his specialty training in Prosthodontics at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. His final tour in the Navy was as Professor and Chairman of the Prosthodontic Department and as Program Director of the Prosthodontics Residency Training Program at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, MD. After retiring from the Navy in 1984 as a Captain, he continued his passion for teaching as Chairman of the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics at Northwestern University Dental School. In 1990 he became Chairman and Professor of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey where he continued to teach and practice dentistry until his retirement in 2004. Dick also served as a Board Examiner and Consultant for the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics; a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists; a Fellow of the American College of Dentists; a Fellow of the International College of Dentists; a Fellow of the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics; and a Fellow of the Academy of Osseointegration. Dick and Joyce have resided in Estero, FL since 2007. Dick took great pride in his work and was a well-respected educator and mentor to many dentists over his career. His friendly and approachable demeanor made him a popular and admired instructor among his students and colleagues, many of whom have stayed connected with Dick over the years. His career took him to many interesting places across the country, but he was always very proud of his small-town, South Dakota roots as well as his Norwegian and Danish heritage. Dick enjoyed working with his hands and had a great appreciation for the fine detail and artistry of netsuke and scrimshaw, which he collected over the years. He was a beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather and will truly be missed. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest K. Hesby and mother, Eleanor M. Hesby. Dick is survived by his wife, Joyce; three sons, Richard (Nancy) of Nashua, NH, Jon (Kristen) of Winnetka, IL and James (Lynn) of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren, Nola, Molly, Alexander, Emily and Caroline; and his brother, Donald (Debra) Hesby of Virginia Beach, VA. A Memorial Service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail So., Bonita Springs, FL 34134.