In Memoriam
When each of us looks back on our life , we remember vividly those special people who influenced it the most . Dr . Trice was on my list as one of them . He always demonstrated leadership , commitment and dedication to his family , community and to his profession and country .
A mentor is defined as a wise and trusted counselor , friend or teacher . Dr . Trice was all of that to me and so much more . He was instrumental in my path along the course of a professional career and service to dentistry .
Dr . Kwasny summed up this profound influence with a quote from 1915 Nobel Prize winner Romain Rollard :
“ If a man is to shed the light of the sun upon other men , he must first of all have it within himself .”
Faith was also an important part of Dr . Trice ’ s life . He was a dedicated member of St . Peter Cathedral and served as a eucharistic minister . He received the Papal honor of Knight of the Order of Pope St . Sylvester for community service . He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Serra Club .
He was also a dedicated community leader , an active fundraiser for the American Heart Association and past chair of the Pennsylvania Heart Association . He was a founder , member , and Past President of Presque Isle Rotary . He was a member and Past President of the Erie Torch Club and a member of the Board of Directors of United Way of Erie County as well as a member of the Board of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwestern Pennsylvania . Additionally , Dr . Trice was a member and past Chairman of the Board for public television and radio station WQLN in Erie , and of the PA Heart Association and Northwestern Heart Association . Other community interests and activities for Dr . Trice included membership on the Board of the Directors for the Erie Philharmonic . Dr . Trice was a member for 73 years of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity .
Dr . Trice ’ s life was celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial at St . Peter Cathedral in Erie on January 28 .
The conclusion of Dr . Radack ’ s 2016 PDJ feature on Dr . Trice truly sums up the impact this man had on so many .
Bill also has taken to calling a few of us in Erie his “ sons .” I , along with Drs . Jim Hissom ( a native son of Weirton ) and Andy Kwasny , am privileged to be one of those “ sons ” and to consider him one of my mentors . Bill is a force in our dental community and the community at large . He was always where the action was , dressed sharp and sporting those dark rimmed oversized glasses . I got up to leave , shook his hand and said goodbye , hoping to see him again soon . He told me to say hello to my “ lovely bride ” and my daughters . That ’ s Dr . William B . Trice . We all should be so fortunate to know this man .
Dr . Brian M . Schwab
Dr . Brian M . Schwab , 43 of Reading , passed away on January 4 . Dr . Schwab was our Fourth District Trustee on PDA ’ s Board of Trustees , and he had served organized dentistry in numerous several leadership roles for many years , including as a chair of our New Dentist Committee and as an associate editor of the Pennsylvania Dental Journal from 2009-2015 .
“ As chair of the PDA Board of Trustees , a huge void was left , both for me personally and institutionally , when Brian passed away ,” said PDA president Dr . Nancy Rosenthal . “ His wit and challenge to status quo kept us on task , producing best outcomes . He could always be counted on to stimulate thoughtful discussions and ask the questions no one else dared to . I first met Brian when he was the New Dentist Committee representative to the ADA Council on Membership the year I was chair . His outlook then made the future of dentistry look bright . This is a loss to Pennsylvania ’ s dental community and I offer our sympathy and continued support to his family .”
Dr . Schwab joined the practice of Dr . Michael Shuman , located in Blandon , in 2006 . Dr . Shuman reflected on his life and the impact Dr . Schwab made from a young age .
“ I ’ ve known Brian since he was a grade school kid in my dental chair , telling me in no uncertain terms that he was going to become a dentist . Whether he was shadowing in my office during high school , or helping out as a chair side assistant during college and dental school , his thirst for knowledge was never quenched ,” said Dr . Shuman . “ He excelled as a student , a clinician , and a teacher . As a new dentist he immediately got involved in organized dentistry , and served at the local , state and national level . He served his community tirelessly in his office , his church and the local schools . I think it would be safe to say that Brian Schwab accomplished more in his short 44 years than most of us do in our lifetime . He was no doubt a champion for the dental profession and will be greatly missed .”
MARCH / APRIL 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 41