Robert E. Gaylord
(1914-2001)
Excerpts from Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2001;120:222
Bob was one of the first university-trained orthodontists in the Southwest, and he had a private practice in Dallas for over 50 years. His interest in orthodontic education manifested itself early, and he subsequently trained seven men as preceptors in his office. Later, two of them, Jim Reynolds of Lubbock, Texas, and Bill Stutts of Dallas, became presidents of the American Association of Orthodontists, as did Bob in 1972–1973.
In 1961, Bob was asked by the dean of the Baylor College of Dentistry, Harry McCarthy, to organize and raise funds for the school’s first graduate department of orthodontics. Under his leadership, the department developed the world-class reputation for excellence that it still enjoys. Bob stepped down as chairman in 1977 but continued serving as an active and valuable part-time faculty member until 1998.
In 1991, the Baylor College of Dentistry honored him for raising more than $1 million for the college by creating the Robert E. Gaylord Endowed Chair. His fund-raising prowess continued into the last week of his life, as he led Baylor Oral Heath Foundation’s effort that raised more than $1.5 million for its new Center for Maxillofacial Prosthodontics.
Bob was greatly esteemed by his colleagues, and they honored his professionalism by presenting him with orthodontics’ highest awards and offices: the Albert H. Ketcham Memorial Award, Fellowship in the American College of Dentists, induction into the Baylor College of Dentistry Hall of Fame, the Martin Dewey Award, a listing in Who’s Who in America, Honorary Membership in the Colegio de Odontólogos de Venezuela, and the Diploma de Mérito of the Universidad de Habana. His society memberships included the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists (President, 1963–1964), the American Association of Orthodontists (President, 1972–1973), the American Board of Orthodontics, the Charles Tweed Study Group of Texas (President, 1949–1950), the Edward H. Angle Society (President 1968–1969), the American Society of Dentistry for Children, the Texas Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education (specialty consultant); he was also a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
Bob was gentlemanly but not vain, sophisticated, but not jaded, cultured but not cavalier, gracious but not patronizing. He was one of the most merciful, compassionate, indulgent, obliging, and gentle people I have ever known. All of life fascinated him, and he was as comfortable sitting around a campfire with fishing buddies as he was cooking gourmet dishes in Helen Corbitt’s kitchen.
Bob Gaylord’s life had a harmony and completeness that few attain. He served as a compass for our professional lives, and he made it seem so natural to heed his counsel to contribute generously to dentistry and its patients’ needs.