Dr. Richard A. Ewald, 81, of Ottawa passed away Monday, June 27, 2016 at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ottawa.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Friday, July 1, 2016 at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate with Abbot Philip Davey, St. Bede Abbey officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 pm Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Ottawa Funeral Home. He will be entombed at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park with military services.
Dr. Ewald was born October 1, 1934 in LaSalle, Illinois to Edward and Josephine (Bartoli) Ewald. He married Joretta Cheli August 4, 1956 at St. Mary’s Church in Naplate.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Lynne Gerding of Naperville and Lisa (Brian) Kelley of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and a son Roger Ewald of St. Petersburg, Florida. Dr. Ewald has five grandchildren, Elizabeth (Rhys) Gerding Jones, Allison Gerding, Lauren, Neal, and Claire Kelley; his twin brother, Dr. Roger A. (Edy) Ewald; and his brother-in-law, Jim (Bernie) Cheli.
He was preceded in death his parents; and by his son, Gregory in 1985.
He attended St. Bede Academy, University of Notre Dame, and St. Louis University Dental School. After dental school he was drafted into the military and was discharged as an Air Force Captain in June 1962 from Mather Air Force Base, Rancho Cordova, California. Following his discharge he received postgraduate education in Pediatric Dentistry from College of the Pacific (San Francisco), and University of Illinois (Chicago).
Dr. Ewald practiced pediatric dentistry in Sunnyvale, California for six years. In 1969 he left to do research on “Root Resorption of Re-implanted Teeth” at the University of Illinois (Chicago). He was given an assistant professorship, and taught pediatric dentistry at the University of Illinois Dental School. He also published a manual on “Application of Rubber Dam”.
In 1971 he opened a practice for children in downtown Ottawa. After 6 weeks he needed help, and his friend, Dr. Jay Kolb, joined him. Then in 1975 he and two others built a building on the Fox River near the hospital. In the late 70’s, Dr. William Wrobel came in to the practice and became Dr. Ewald’s partner. Later Dr. Gary Nickerson joined the practice as an associate. In 2010 Dr. Ewald semi-retired, and in December 2012 he fully retired. Dr. Bobbi Laun has come into the practice on a full time basis.
Between California, Chicago and Ottawa he was on the active staff of seven different hospitals. Dr. Ewald was always very involved in hospital dentistry.
He belonged to numerous professional organizations, and also the Ottawa Boat Club, Deer Park Country Club, Green Head Duck Club, Twin Lakes Fishing Club, The Bedan Club and The Notre Dame Club of Starved Rock (which he co-founded). His favorite hobbies were hunting, fishing and wine collecting.
The assignment which he most enjoyed was Chairman of the State of Illinois Specialty Exam in Pediatric Dentistry.
Over the years Dr. Ewald gave 37 lectures/clinics throughout the United States. He also made a movie of hospital dentistry for handicapped children.
His seven nephews are his pallbearers: Mike and Kirk Cheli, Ed, Kurt, Rich, Steve and Vince Ewald.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Bede Academy.
Recent Comments