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OBITUARY W IL L IA M E R N E S T C U M M E R , D .D .S ., C .S.B . ( 18 7 9 -19 4 2 ) T h e sudden death, M a y 14, of W il­ liam Ernest Cummer, C .S.B ., D .D .S ., at the comparatively early age of 63, has robbed the dental profession of a true friend— one who served well the interests of dentistry in m any capacities, through the years from 1902 until his death. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1879 he attended the elementary and second­ ary schools of that city, and later gradu­ ated from the R oyal College o f Dental Surgeons of Ontario and the University of Toronto. Subsequently, he was ap­ pointed to the chair of prosthetic den­ tistry at his alma mater and served in this capacity until he became dean of the dental faculty of the University o f D e ­ troit. A t the very height of his dental career and in the full vigor of his scholar­ ship, he resigned his deanship, in 19 3 1, and applied for admission to the Basilian novitiate. He was ordained in the order in 19 38. From the very outset o f-h is profes­ sional career, Ernie Cummer, as he was affectionately designated by his friends, made his mark as a keen student. B y his example and his genial and sympathetic understanding, he endeared himself to all his associates, both within and out­ side the dental profession. H e was par­ ticularly helpful to earnest undergradu­ ates and to those taking postgraduate courses, m any of whom, because o f his help, were destined to play an important part in their chosen profession. Dental students o f earlier years will remember his readiness to help and his m any acts of kindness, so unostentatiously rendered. In all his relations with the members of the dental profession, Dr. Cum m er dis­ played an exquisite politeness that was never found wanting and never failed

to make lasting friendships. H e gave unstintingly of his energies when helping others. Whenever D r. Cum m er accepted an appointment, whether it had to do with his professional activities, musical soci­ eties or religious organizations— no mat­ ter what its nature— he devoted his en­ tire energy, without reservation to the task in hand and brought it to a suc­ cessful issue. This is reflected in his writings, which are rightly considered classics in the realm of prosthetic publications. From 1 9 1 7 to 19 3 1, Dr. Cum m er was associate editor of Oral Health. E a rly in his dental career, D r. Cummer demonstrated an unusual capacity for teaching and research, to which all who had the privilege o f serving under him can bear grateful tribute. H e was a natural philosopher with a remarkably clear conception of the scientific method. His m any contributions to dental science are basic. W ith him, responsibility, such as is imposed because of the possession of a superior intellectual equipment, was never separated from a sense of the privi­ lege of serving mankind. His extensive knowledge o f restorative appliances to be used in cases of facial bone injuries was used to good purpose in the W orld W ar, in which he served as m ajor in the D en­ tal Corps. Sensing the importance o f having all dental undergraduates learn the proper­ ties of the materials used in restorative procedures, Dr. Cum m er was instru­ mental in having such a course estab­ lished as complementary to the usual instruction given in the departments of prosthodontia, orthodontia and operative dentistry. This course was very satisfac­ tory from its inception, and most dental schools, recognizing its value, have in­ cluded similar instruction in their cur­ rículums.

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Dr. Cummer was also a pioneer in establishing a predental course as part of the regular training of dental students, He devised a series of projects based upon the various types of skill required in practicing dentistry. In this way, a

marked advantages of such a training have been fully demonstrated in the facility with which students attack the mechanics of various procedures confronting them in the advanced subjects of the dental curriculum. Dr. Cummer

W. E. C U M M E R , D .D .S ., C .S.B . 1879 -1942

student’s aptitude for the work was clearly demonstrated and, in most instances, vastly improved. In addition, many pieces of apparatus useful in dental technology were constructed. The

was, throughout his entire dental career, fully cognizant of the importance of the contributions made by the science of engineering to the successful conduct of dentistry, and, to this end, students were

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taught fundamental engineering prin­ ciples, and so became proficient in draughtmanship and designing. M uch of the research done by his students bore the imprint of such training. D r. Cum m er’s chief claim to recogni­ tion in the field of dentistry was perhaps his work in partial denture construction. Even today, ten years after he termi­ nated his dental career to take on reli­ gious responsibilities, D r. Cummer, as a survey of dental literature will show, is probably the most frequently and most widely quoted authority on partial den­ ture prosthesis. In m any of the recent publications on this subject, large sec• tions are devoted to a review of the pioneer work done by him. N o finer tribute can be paid to any scientist. A t the height of his career, D r. Cum mer gave hundreds of clinics and lectures to dentists in most of the principal cities of C anada and the United States. M ore recently, even though busily engaged with religious duties, he maintained con­ tact with dental affairs and was, at the time o f his death, compiling &, treatise for teachers of prosthodontia. His sound judgm ent and broad vision were of great value in all matters concerning dental pedagogic methods. In his practical work, his research and even his hobbies and pastimes, D r. C um ­ mer exhibited an astounding versatility of interests. T h e range o f his accom ­ plishments was most unusual. H e actu­ ally combined the knowledge and skill of a number o f vocations. He was an accomplished artist, musician, designer, inventor, draughtsman, engineer and sci­ entist. T o which imposing array must be added unusual talents as a teacher and a dentist. W ork was always his greatest interest. Nothing was allowed to inter­ fere with his sense o f duty. I f strength is viewed as a moral qual­

ity, he m ay be described as an unusually strong man. A n d for this reason: One of the most obvious factors in such strength is the concentration of energy with a view to accomplishing some ob­ jective. It is seen at its best in devout Christians, for true religion is actually a challfenge to the strong. It is a stimulus rather than a sedative. It sounds a vigorous note o f challenge to all recruits. It supplies the loftiest code of conduct for its followers. It satisfies all spiritual and intellectual needs of the devout. It furnishes that unity o f creed and life that all would enjoy. It brings profound comfort, happiness and peace of mind to those who obey its commandments. Religion is not alone for the weak, the suffering and the unsuccessful, it is for the strong and energetic. D r. Cummer was one o f these. In these times, when it is customary to become absorbed in possessions and interests, it is refreshing to find that D r. Cum m er had a sense of that unusual kind of responsibility that is the distinguishing characteristic of the Christian view of life. T o him, religion was what one makes of personal rela­ tionships. It implied certain claims and responsibilities which are inseparable from the everyday problems of a useful and purposeful life. His long and useful life was not, in any sense, restricted to any one calling. His unbounded energy found fruitful ex­ pression in -many enterprises. A nd the world is the better because he lived and worked. Respected for his unquestioned integrity by all who knew him, Dr. C um ­ mer was an outstanding citizen, a faith­ ful and devoted student o f the ,human­ ities, a clever and sympathetic teacher, an expert technician, and a skilful opera­ tor. His cheerful personality will be greatly missed by his friends and asso­ ciates.

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DEATHS , C h r i s t i a n P., W averly, Io w a; State U niversity of Iow a, 18 8 8 ; died A p ril 30 ; aged 78. . B o t t e n h o r n , I r w i n A ., Columbus, O hio; Ohio State U niversity College of D en­ tistry, 1906; died A p ril 18 ; aged 59. C r a w f o r d , H a r r y M ., L im a, O hio; Ohio College of D ental Surgery, 19 0 7 ; died Jan u a ry 2; aged 64. D i m o n d , A n d r e w , L im a, O hio; C hicago C o l­ lege of D ental Surgery, 19 0 5 ; died Ju ne

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10. W . W ., Indianapolis, Ind .; Indiana U niversity School of Dentistry, 18 99 ; died Ju ne 8; aged 78. G r o v e , C a r l J . , St. Paul, M in n.; Chicago College of D ental Surgery, 18 9 8 ; died Ju ly 4. H a y e s , H a r o l d H . , C h icago, 111.; Chicago College of D ental Surgery, 18 9 7 ; died A p ril 7. H e n d e r s o n , J o h n M ., Columbus, Ohio; died Ju n e 30 ; aged 72. J a n k a n s , W i l b u r G ., Fort Dodge, Iow a; died M arch 26; aged 72. J o h n s o n , G e o r g e E ., Fort W ayne, Ind.; Philadelphia D ental College, 1890 ; died Ju n e 5 ; aged 84. K e l l e r , L o u i s A ., Tiffin, O hio; Cleveland U niversity D ental Departm ent, 18 9 5 ; died A p ril 1 1 ; aged 7 1 . K e m p e r , R a l p h K . , D ayton, O hio; Ohio C o l­ lege of D ental Surgery, 19 0 3 ; died M a y 20; aged 65. K i h o r n y , E m i l L ., Cleveland, O hio; W est­ ern Reserve U n iversity School of D en ­ tistry, 1 9 1 4 ; died Ja n u a ry 9 ; aged 52. K n e c h t , F r e d e r i c k , Chicago, 111.; N orth­ western U niversity D ental School, 19 0 5 ; died Ju n e 2 7 ; aged 72. K o h l e r , M i l t o n W ., Fairport, N . Y .; U n i­ G

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versity of Buffalo School of Dentistry, 19 0 5 ; died M a y 24; aged 64. K r a e m e r , F r e d e r i c k O ., Brooklyn, N . Y .; N ew Y o rk College of Dentistry, 18 8 3 ; died Ju n e 20. H u g h I., Cleveland, Ohio; Western R eserve U niversity School of D entistry, 1 9 1 6 ; died J u ly 1; aged 58. M a lo ney, J ohn J o seph , R o ck R apids, Io w a; Northwestern University Dental School, 19 0 2 ; died A p ril 1 5 ; aged 68. M a t h e s o n , G e o r g e A ., D es Moines, Iow a; Northwestern U niversity D ental School, 19 0 2 ; died A p ril 6; aged 65. R i z e r , G u s t a v u s E . , Fort M adison, Iow a; State U niversity of Io w a College of D en ­ tistry, 18 9 7 ; died A p ril 1 3 ; aged 7 1. S e e l e y , F r a n k l i n N ., T oledo, O hio; Ohio College of D ental Surgery, 1890 ; died Ju n e 2 1 ; aged 74. S h e r w o o d , C l y d e C . , T o led o , O hio; Ohio M ed ical University, College of Dentistry, 19 0 1 ; died J u ly 5; aged 66. T a y l o r , E l m e r E . , U niversity of Illinois College of D entistry, 19 0 6 ; died Ju n e 20; aged 63. T h a t c h e r , J o s e p h E . , Bellefontaine, Ohio; Ch icago College of D ental Surgery, 18 99 ; died Ju n e 30 ; aged 73. W a l t e r , J o h n A ., M cG rego r, Io w a; died A p ril 2 7 ; aged 8 1. W i e g e r i n g , W i l l i a m P., W est Palm Beach, F la .; U n iversity of Pittsburgh, School of D entistry, 19 0 2 ; died Ja n u a ry 14 ; aged M

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C h a r l e s D ., Hillsboro, O hio; Ohio College of D ental Surgery, 19 0 5 ; died Ju n e 5 ; aged 64. Z im m e r m a n n , E d w a r d A ., Chicago, 111.; Northwestern U niversity D ental School, 1 9 1 7 ; died Febru ary 14 ; aged 48. W

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