Louis S. Block

THE JOURNAL

OF

PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY SEPTEMBER1987

VOLUME58

NUMBER3

IN MEMORIAM Louis S. Block

D

r. Louis S. Block died peacefully in his sleep July 2, 1987, in his home in Louisville, Kentucky. Scarcely weeks before, at the annual meeting of the Editorial Council of THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY in Monterey, California, Louis Block retired after serving 37 consecutive years as Chairman. He was honored by the unanimous vote of the Editorial Council to the newly created position of Chairman Emeritus. In recognition of his long and faithful service to THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY he was given a scroll of appreciation inscribed by members of the Council and an etched glass facsimile of the: cover of THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY by The C. V. Mosby Company. Louis S. Bbek is survived by his wife Betty who also served as his secretary and bookkeeper for the Editorial Council. Louis and Betty conducted the business affairs of THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY in an exemplary manner. Louis Block and Carl Boucher were principal foumlers of THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY in ‘1950, fulfilling a need for publication of essayspresented at a number of prominent prosthodontic dental societies. Louis Block was a graduate of the University of Louisville, School of Dentistry. He completed his postgraduate education at New York University, College of Dentistry, and served on the faculty of the Department of Denture Prosthetics before returning to Louisville to resume his private practice. Louis Block bad an illustrious professional career. He served as President of the American Denture Society (The American Prosthodontic Society), President of the Federation of l?rosthodontic Organizations, was a Life Diplomate of tlhe American Board of Prosthodontics, a Charter Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontics, Honorary Member of the American Academy of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, and Life Fellow of the Academy of Denture Prosthetics. Louis Block had devoted a major part of his professional career to the conception, birth, and development of THEJOURNALOF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY intoaremarkably successful scientific journal. His unprecedented 37 years of annual reelection as Chairman was a tribute to his leadership, sound judgment, wise and prudent decision making, and his keen financial acumen. Under his leadership the Editorial Council of THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY became a benevolent force in THEJOURNALOFPROSTHETICDENTISTRY

Dr. Louis S. Block support of excellence in prosthodontic practice, education, and research for the ultimate benefit of the public. To his many personal friends and colleagues, Louis Block was known as “the great arranger.” His entire life was devoted to satisfying the needs of others. He gave and received love, loyalty, respect, and understanding to his family, friends, neighbors, patients, professional colleagues, and the many individuals who benefitted from his involvement with his community social work. Above all, his love for his wife Betty throughout over 40 years of married life, and the raising of their three sons, only exceeded his love for and dedication to THE JOURNALOF

PROSTHETIC

DENTISTRY.

Louis Block was admired and respected by all who knew him. He was bright, worldly, intelligent, sensitive, and perceptive. He had a keen senseof humor and would surprise the members of the Editorial Council at its most serious moments with a joke, poem, or lyric. Louis Block will be sorely missed. THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY will continue to grow as a living testament to his creative ability, dogged tenacity, foresight, and keen power of logic and common sense. Louis Block, rest in peace. Your work is done. So long as we shall live, so will Louis Block. I. KENNETH ADLWAN, D.D.S., M.S. CHAIRMAN, EDITORIAL COUNCIL OF THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY

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