Herbert C. Butts, D.D.S.'s Obituary
Herbert C. Butts, D.D.S. passed away September 24, 2013. Born August 24, 1924 in Dover, Tennessee to Mr. and Mrs. Sidney and Georgia Sawyer Butts, Dr. Butts recognized early in life that education would be his key to success. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he chose to pursue a career in dentistry and completed his predental education at Memphis State University in 1947. By 1950 he had earned his D.D.S. degree from The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and began a general practice in Memphis. Early in his career he began teaching dentistry part-time at U.T. and by 1958 had become a full-time faculty member, having recognized dental education as his life’s calling. In 1960 he became a Dental Education Advisor with the International Cooperation Administration (I.C.A.), a branch of the U.S. State Department, where he was assigned to the University of El Salvador Dental School as Advisor to the Dean where he guided school officials in improving their administration, curriculum, and teaching techniques. After his contract with I.C.A. was completed in 1963, he remained in El Salvador as Chairman of the Department of Operative Dentistry and Clinical Director of the El Salvador School of Dentistry until 1964 when he returned to the U.S. and obtained an M.S. degree at the University of Iowa Graduate School in Operative Dentistry and Education. From 1967-1970, Dr. Butts served as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Operative Dentistry at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine in Charleston until he was named Acting Dean in 1971. In 1974 he and his family moved to Chicago after Dr. Butts was selected by the Board of Trustees of the American Dental Association (A.D.A.) to be Editor of its publications. In 1978, he moved back to Memphis to become Associate Dean of Academic Affairs of The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. In 1981, he became Dean of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine until his retirement in 1985. He then returned to Memphis and worked part-time as Advisor to the Dean at The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.As an educator, Dr. Butts was able to favorably influence and inspire so many lives. His friendliness and intellect earned the admiration and respect of students and colleagues. He was known for his consistent efforts to recruit minorities and women into dental schools, and at one point was referred to as the “patron saint of grass roots dentists and previously disadvantaged sectors of the profession”. As Editor of the Journal of the American Dental Association, his willingness to publish opinion letters (pro or con) from dentists across the country generated a lot of discussion in local dental societies and was greatly appreciated by the garden variety dentist who now had an avenue of expression should he care to use it.After retirement he remained in touch with many of his students and who often delighted him with stories of their success. Though humble and self-effacing (he often referred to himself as a “good ole country boy”), his mind remained sharp as a tack until the very end. His incredible memory afforded him the ability to be a wonderful story teller. He used that ability to entertain and inspire those close to him. He became fluent in Spanish through his work in El Salvador and, upon his return to the U.S., continuously sharpened his skills by striking up conversations with strangers who spoke the language. At one point he even taught English to those of Hispanic descent.He looked and acted 20 years younger than his age. He was one of the last, as Tom Brokaw would say, from the Greatest Generation. There wasn’t anything that he didn’t know how to do. He not only was a dentist, but a teacher, a mentor, a plumber, carpenter, jewelry maker and a farmer. He could recite movie lines, baseball stats, historical facts – you name it – he remembered everything. He was skilled in the kitchen too. He could make some of the best apple pies, peach cobblers and banana pudding dishes you’ve ever tasted. He delivered many a dish all over midtown to grocery clerks, teachers, his banker, doctor, to strangers in need. He was a very kind soul.Dr. Butts is survived by his wife, Quay Coker Butts; daughters, Marla Oshinsky (Stephen), Dr. April Butts (Steve Rice) and Dawn Hays (Sam); son, Sid Butts; sister, Anna Frances Butler (Charles); grandchildren, Leah Harris, Ryan Oshinsky, William Hays and Riley Hays and great grandchildren, Marshall Oshinsky and Mariah Oshinsky. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, September 27 and the funeral service 11:30 a.m. Saturday, September 28 all at Memorial Park Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers please make donations to Central Christian Church or the charity of your choice.
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