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1970s

Class of 1971 (Grad Pros)

IN MEMORIAM

DR. THEODORE E. DEPEW, GRADUATE PROSTHODONTICS CLASS OF 1971 

Dr. Theodore Depew

Dr. Theodore Edward “Ted” Depew passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2020 at his home in Lake Oswego, Ore., surrounded by his loving family. He was 82.

He was born on Jan. 30, 1938 in Olympia, Wash. After growing up in Chowchilla, Calif., he graduated from The University of Southern California and received his DDS degree with honors from the USC School of Dentistry in 1963. He served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps and retired as a full Colonel after 30 years of active duty. He was awarded many commendations during his career as a prosthodontist and director of the Air Force regional dental laboratory. He was responsible for resident and intern prosthodontic training throughout his career. He commanded dental clinics at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska; Nellis AFB, Nevada, and Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He also served as Strategic Air Command Dental Surgeon at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. He completed his Air Force career at Andrews AFB, Washington, D.C., at the command level.

After his successful Air Force career, he was sought after by several highly recognized dental schools for a prosthodontic teaching position.  The Depews wanted to return to the Pacific Northwest, so he accepted a part-time position at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry as an associate professor in the fixed prosthodontic department, a position he held for 25 years. He was an excellent mentor and educator, and well respected for his knowledge and talents by faculty and students.

Dr. Depew was an active member of the Pacific Coast Society for Prosthodontics and was honored with a lifetime fellowship in 1998.

He had many interests that kept him busy during his retirement years, including bonsai culture, maintaining a large wine cellar, and collecting rare antique pistols and firearms. He also enjoyed owning and driving luxury foreign-made automobiles and collecting Western-themed paintings and sculptures.

Dr. Depew is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn; daughters Tracey and Erin; grandchildren Eddi, Annika, Lindsay, Kendall, and Tate; and sisters Diane and Susan. (The Oregonian)