I n M e moria m
George A. Kirchner
On April 20, the Pennsylvania Dental
Association suffered the loss of
Dr. George A. Kirchner, one of our
greatest and most beloved leaders.
Dr. Kirchner, of Allentown, was 76 years
old, when he died in Lehigh Valley
Hospice after a battle with cancer.
George was part of an exclusive,
distinguished group of PDA leaders,
having been one of the select few
to serve our association as both
President (2001-2002) and Speaker
of the House (1995-2000).
After graduation from the Medical College of Virginia School of
Dentistry in 1970, Dr. Kirchner served his dental internship at
Allentown Hospital and served his fellowship in the Academy of
General Dentistry. He was a general/family dentist in Allentown
for 43 years, retiring in 2013. He was on staff at the Lehigh Valley
hospital for 47 years, since 1972. He did his residency there from
1971-1972 and joined the staff immediately after.
PDA honored Dr. Kirchner for his many career achievements with
the 2008 Distinguished Service Award. In addition to his terms as
PDA President and Speaker, he served as the Second District
Trustee on PDA’s Board of Trustees. Among his other plentiful
contributions to dentistry organized, dating back to 1980, George
served as president of both the Lehigh Valley Dental Society and
Second District Valley Forge Dental Association, served on and
chaired the ADA Council on Dental Benefits and represented PDA
at the ADA House of Delegates.
He was a Fellow of the International College of Dentists (ICD), the
Pierre Fauchard Academy, the Lehigh County Community College
Dental Assisting Advisory Committee, the American Institute
of Parliamentarians and a Lecturer at Lehigh County Community
College. After his retirement, Dr. Kirchner was a participant in
H2Jamaica, a dental mission for the residents of Jamaica.
“There is not one person I know who didn’t respect and admire
Dr Kirchner. He was an amazing man and my life is so much better
for having known him,” said Dr. Lauri Passeri. “He was instrumental
to organized dentistry; he always tried to recruit people and get
everyone involved – from the local to the state level. He was my
sponsor for the ICD and I couldn’t be more grateful for all the
support he has shown me. He is greatly missed and will forever be
on my mind.”
Dr. Charles Incalcaterra, our current PDA president, was on staff
with Dr. Kirchner at Lehigh Valley Health Network. They met in 1982
when Dr. Incalcaterra was a resident at the hospital. Dr. Incalcaterra
expressed not only his own sadness, but also the shared grief of
the members of the Lehigh Valley Dental Society and the Second
District.
“I would not be where I am today without his leadership, mentoring
and friendship,” Dr. Incalcaterra said, recalling how Dr. Kirchner
always greeted the residents at the hospital with a warm, “how are
you doing, young man! Or how are you doing young lady!”
Dr. Incalcaterra sent Dr. Kirchner the following email the day after
Pennsylvania’s Dental Meeting, Sunday April 7.
George,
Words cannot express my appreciation for all you have done not
only for the residency program at Lehigh Valley Hospital and for the
PDA/ADA, but for me personally in my professional development.
You have been a great mentor and role model for younger members
of our organization and I want to thank you for everything. I would
probably not be serving the PDA as President this year if it were not
for your leadership.
Thank you for the inspiration you have provided me in becoming a
leader in organized dentistry. I promise you that I will try to serve well
with you always in my heart and in my mind.
Charlie.
George was the husband of Carol E. (Cox) Kirchner. Born in York, he
was the son of the late Frank A. and Marie (Stine) Kirchner. He was
a 1960 graduate of Spring Grove High School and a 1964 graduate
of Susquehanna University.
He was an active member of The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit,
where he was a member of the senior choir, brass choir, worship
and music committee, Sunday School teacher, and an assistant
minister. He was a member of the cornet (trumpet) section of
America’s Oldest Civilian Concert Band, the Allentown Band, since
1971, served as a board member, and was a member of American
Federation of Musicians, Local 45.
Dr. Kirchner was a soccer official since 1997 and a member of the
United States Soccer Federation, Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer
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