In Memoriam
the new day . Who cannot help but enjoy the sight of deer cautiously slipping from the woods in order to browse in the fields at evening time .
I don ’ t fuss as much about the weeds in the garden or the peeling paint on the barn . I spend more time with family and friends . I have come to realize that life should be a pattern of experiences to savor and hold dear in our memories , not one to endure .
With the passing of time it becomes less important to save anything but rather more important to share with family and friends .
I don ’ t dress up as much as I used to except perhaps for church . But I try to always wear a smile — even for the clerks at the grocery store .
Continued learning is not an option to set aside . I try to expand my vocabulary . I want to see , hear and do different things now before tomorrow comes .
I ’ m not certain what others would have done had they known they would not be here for tomorrow that we all seem to take for granted . I think I would have communicated more with family members and a few good friends . And I might have been a better person had I called those with whom I had squabbles and apologized . It ’ s these little things ( perhaps not so little after all when
I think about it ) left undone that would make me angry if
I knew my remaining hours were limited . I ’ d be angry because I had not written certain letters or notes that I intended to write one of these days but had not set aside because I was “ too busy .”
I , at times , am sorry that I didn ’ t tell my family , my mother and father-in-law and yes even my own parents just how much they meant to me .
I ’ m trying very hard not to put off , hold back or save anything that would bring more laughter and luster to grow grandma ’ s and my lives . And each morning , as days pass all too quickly , I open my eyes and tell myself this is a special day and how lucky I am to be married to grandma . You see Monica , each day , each minute , each breath we take truly is a gift from God . Monica , live your life to the fullest , never stop learning and look to tomorrow — the future .
Remember , life may not be the party we hoped for , but while we are here we might as well dance .
Love , Grandpa
Perhaps someday Monica , when you ’ ve grown older and the ink has long since faded on this paper – you too will understand what I have been trying to tell you .
Dr . Charles M . Ludwig
Dr . Charles M . Ludwig , a former PDA president and state public health dentist , died on July 23 in Lititz . He was 81 .
He was born on April 12 , 1929 in Jersey City , N . J ., the son of German immigrants . He earned his BS from St . Peter ’ s College in 1950 and his DDS from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1954 . Charlie served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Dental Corps from 1954-1956 . He opened his first practice in Ringwood , N . J . in 1956 . He married Betty Olene Gourley on August 31 , 1957 in Mount Lebanon , Pa . In September 1960 , the family moved to Harrisburg and soon after he became involved with organized dentistry in 1963 . He served as president of the Harrisburg Area Dental
Society in 1973-1974 and then made a great impact as president of PDA in 1986-1987 .
“ Charlie was the best friend to the Pennsylvania dentists . He stood on principle ,” said Dr . Harry Meyers . “ And his principles primarily were two things – One , the integrity of the dental profession , that it not be dictated to by third parties , and two , the patients . He was the first public health dentist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania .”
“ He sacrificed so much for the ability of Pennsylvania dentists to practice without undue interference from third parties ,” Dr . Meyers added .
Dr . Meyers recalled times when Dr . Ludwig rallied support for causes important to dentistry and how Dr . Ludwig ’ s close friendship with the late state Sen . John Shumaker was so valuable for PDA and the profession of dentistry . In 1993 , Dr . Ludwig received the Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Society of Orthodontists , the first general dentist to receive this award . After retiring from private practice in 1994 , he worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Health from 1994-1999 . In 1999 , he was appointed to the Northeast Regional Board of Dental
42 September / October 2010 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal