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1970s

Class of 1975

CLASS NOTES

2021

Dr. John A. Johnson, Sammamish, Wash.: It’s been over 12 years now since I sold my practice, but my wife, Barbara, and I continue to be involved in dentistry and ministry locally with Medical Teams International and around the world with various Christian organizations. Our latest trip was to South America early in 2020 where we teamed up with Eastridge Church of Issaquah, and separately with Global Awakening for international outreaches.

During our compassion-oriented ministry in Colombia with Eastridge Church, we provided food and assistance to the Venezuelan refugees, and witnessed incredible miracles. Then with the Global Awakening team, we partnered with some local ministries in Medellin, way up in the Andes Mountains where we helped the local people, and again saw God work in amazing ways. Fortunately, we got back to the United States just days before we would have been quarantined in Colombia due to Covid-19. (Spring 2021)

You can check out some of the miracles that have happened through our ministry on our website, Miracles4Real.org, and/or our e-book at Amazon: It’s Supernatural, A Journal of Signs, Wonders and Miracles: On Mission Trips and Beyond. Many blessings to all of my colleagues and classmates. (Spring 2021)

John and Barbara Johnson

Dr. Jeff S. Abolofia, Burien, Wash.: Still working … still love it! (Spring 2019)

Dr. James Lloyd Ribary, Gig Harbor, Wash.: I sold my practice in Gig Harbor at the end of 2009. My wife and I travel frequently. I enjoy playing golf in my free time. We have eight grandchildren to keep us busy when we are home. Life is good! (Fall 2019)

2016

Dr. John A. Johnson, Bellevue, Wash.:

John and Barbara Johnson

My wife, Barbara, and I continue to go on missionary trips around the world. Most recently we went to the Dominican Republic with Healthcare Ministries for a medical/dental clinic, and to Nicaragua with Eastridge Church of Issaquah for a feeding program and youth camp.

John Johnson

Though different, both were incredible outreaches. Locally, we have been working with Medical Teams International on their mobile dental vans where we have the opportunity to serve the local population. We have been blessed by seeing God do numerous miracles, as we are ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of many people. (Spring 2016)

2015

Dr. Jeffrey Abolofia, Burien, Wash.: Marking my 40th year teaching in the freshman waxing class. I still love it, but wow, that went by fast! (Spring 2015)

2011

Dr. James L. Ribary: I retired from my dental practice last year and enjoyed a year as President of the WSDA. I have been Immediate Past President since September and that is even better. It has been a very busy year but one of the best. Now it is time to enjoy my grandchildren. (Spring 2011)

2010

Dr. John A. Johnson, Sammamish, Wash.: Recently, my wife Barbara and I traveled to the Amazon Jungle Basin in Ecuador with Healthcare Ministries, a global outreach organization. We ministered to the medical and spiritual needs of four different Indian tribes, some that can be reached only by boat. We teamed up with other medical professionals from the United States and local missionaries in Ecuador, which helped coordinate the trip into the jungle. The trip was incredible, to say the least, with many signs, wonders and miracles occurring. The indigenous Indian tribes were most appreciative of the medical and dental help. If you would like to read more about our trip and/or have an interest in a one- to two-week trip to a foreign country, please contact us at drjnbarb@comcast.net. (Spring 2010)

Dr. Paul A. Madsen, Kent, Wash.: I am presently the Medical Director and owner of the Madsen Medical Spas of Seattle and the Tri-Cities. I am also board-certified as a Master Fellow in Esthetics and Age Regeneration and Management by the American Board of Geriatric Medicine and the American College of Specialists in Geriatrics. My excellent dental education and training from the UW School of Dentistry is extremely useful every day in my specialty medical practice, because I give great dental blocks before doing non-surgical face lifts with all the new dermal facial materials that have recently become available. My patients really appreciate the great esthetic painless results we can provide them as well as a much better and larger quality of life and health. (Spring 2010)

Dr. James L. Ribary: This has been a busy year as Washington State Dental Association President. I retired from my dental practice in November after 32 years. I will have additional time to spend with my two grandchildren. (Spring 2010)

Dr. James L. Ribary: I finally have my first grandson, Rowan James Ribary. I have been busy with WSDA activities. When you get a call from me, I am usually asking for your time or money! (Spring 2008)

REUNIONS

The Class of 1975 held their 40th reunion on June 12 at the Bellevue Hyatt Regency Hotel.  A great evening of conversation and camaraderie was enjoyed by all of the 49 class members and spouses in attendance.  The recollection of many memorable anecdotes from our dental school days elicited many laughs and smiles.  A great deal of pride in their UW degree was expressed by those classmates in attendance.  The class of 1975 has been very active in academia, community service, and the leadership of organized dentistry.  With an ever-increasing number of retirees as well as a number of members of the class with no imminent plans to hang up their hand piece, it was heartwarming as each of the classmates “shared the microphone” in updating us on their activities.  While we missed spending some time with those classmates who couldn’t attend, everyone was looking forward to another gathering of the class.

Class of 1975

IN MEMORIAM

DR. HAROLD R. HOLM, CLASS OF 1975

Harold Holm

Dr. Harold R. Holm died unexpectedly on Nov. 7, 2015 at his home. He was 66.

Dr. Holm was the son of Harold and Florence Holm. He grew up in Hoquiam, Wash.

He loved his wife, his family and many friends, his staff, his patients, his farm and his dogs and cats. He enjoyed fishing trips to Alaska and fly fishing all over the western United States. He was a voracious reader, reading about four books a week. The New York Times was a daily source of enjoyment. Dr. Holm was a Democrat and a Christian and those values guided everything he did in life. He helped so many people in so many ways. In his dental practice, he treated people who needed help and couldn’t pay, amounting to thousands of dollars yearly. If a friend or neighbor needed help, he was there for them no matter what time, what task or how much. He hired the homeless and made donations to many charities.

Dr. Holm also loved to build things. He built three barns and his house, which was the pride of his life. He milled the beams from timber off his farm and labored for 10 years, almost finishing it before his death. He was a hands-on guy who knew a lot about everything, given enough time. He is deeply missed by all who knew him. If he could, he would tell everyone who loved him, “If you have type 2 diabetes, HBP or sleep apnea, please deal with it ASAP! Because life is worth it.”

Dr. Holm is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barbara; sisters Alice (Don) Sampson of Tumwater, Wash., and Elaine Steele of Palm Springs, Calif.; nieces Tyra Taff, Jan Lunn and Laurie Lunn; and nephews Michael and Daniel Steele and John and Mike Lunn. Tony and Mitzi Sampson are part of his extended family.

DR. PHILIP P. MIHELICH, DDS CLASS OF 1975 

Dr. Mihelich

Dr. Philip Patrick “Phil” Mihelich of Clear Lake, Wash., passed away at home on Nov. 16, 2021. He was 72.

He was born on Nov. 27, 1948 to Joe and Wilma (Erickson) Mihelich in Seattle. He graduated from Enumclaw High School in Enumclaw, Wash., in 1967 and married Marilyn Christensen on March 20, 1970. He received a BS in chemistry from Seattle University. He was a dentist in the U.S. Army for two years and in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., for 25 years.

Dr. Mihelich enjoyed golfing, boating, camping, and fishing. He had a passion for traveling with his wife and took more than 20 trips to Europe. He also loved watching his grandchildren play sports and was an avid Sedro-Woolley Cubs football fan. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley. He received the Paul Harris Fellow Award and was a past president of the Sedro-Woolley Rotary Club.

Dr. Mihelich is survived by his daughter, Lara (Andreas) Kammereck; son Matt (Tristin); grandchildren Davis and Maren Mihelich and Karl, Elsa, and Emmett Mihelich; brother Paul; sister Karen (Rick) Kriewald; niece Jennifer (Derek) Koellmann and children Madison and Sam; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn. (Legacy.com)