Dr. Dale Redig, former dean of Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry passed away Thursday, Nov. 15.

Pacific remembers former dean and regent Dale Redig

Dr. Dale F. Redig, the sixth dean of Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and former university regent passed away last Thursday, Nov. 15, in Stockton at age 89.

Redig served as dean of the Dugoni School of Dentistry from 1969 to 1978 and later served as a regent of University of the Pacific from 1986 to 1997.

He was a 1955 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and practiced as a pediatric dentist until 1961, when he joined the faculty of his alma mater. He rapidly progressed in leadership roles as his outstanding organizational and administrative talents were recognized.

Selected at age 39 as the new dean of University of the Pacific's School of Dentistry in 1969, Redig arrived to a brand new building with a vision for humanistic education that forever changed student-faculty relations and dental education. Redig insisted that faculty treat students with the respect young professionals deserve. He made changes with a measured but persistent sense of urgency at a time when change was essential to the survival of the dental school, and improved the relationship between the dental school and the university, especially with respect to finances. 

Redig adjusted the curriculum to include one of the nation's first comprehensive patient care models—four-handed, sit-down dentistry—and dramatically redesigned the building to make it functional for patient care. He also added dedicated research space. Pacific is the only dental school that was successful in developing a viable 36-month pre-doctoral program. 

Under his leadership, the school was transformed from a local and traditional program to becoming a national leader in dental education. In 1986, Redig was awarded the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Medallion of Distinction in recognition of his service to the school and the university.

Redig went on to lead the California Dental Association as executive director for 18 years in the 1980s and 90s. He was active throughout his career in professional leadership a variety of capacities, including serving as president of the American Association of Dental Schools. He was recently honored by the American College of Dentists with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his more than 50 years of service to the profession.

You can read more about Dr. Redig in this recent Contact Point article.  

There will be a private, family-only ceremony at the beginning of the year.