Obituary of Richard Eugene Jennings

Richard Eugene Jennings passed away on Friday, March 23, 2012 at Idabel, OK. He was born on April 8, 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Newell and Charlotte Jennings. Dr. Jennings graduated from Speedway High School and was the Salutatorian. He then attended Butler University on an academic and music scholarship. He graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry with a DDS Degree and later a Master’s Degree in Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Jennings was selected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an Honorary Dental Fraternity, upon graduation. He served four years in the U.S. Navy as a Dental Officer with duty stations in Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Western Europe. Dr. Jennings was a Professor and Department Chairman of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Texas Dental School in Houston, Texas. During that period of time he was selected as a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and served as an examiner and chairman of the board. He also served as president of the American Society of Dentistry for children and a Distinguished Honorary Professor at the University of Nueno Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Jennings lectured extensively on pediatric dentistry throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Western Europe, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. In 1976, he retired from teaching and established a pediatric dental practice in Idabel. He also continued his teaching from time to time as a visiting professor at the University of Oklahoma. In 1996 Dr. Jennings fully retired and devoted himself to playing golf and traveling. Dr. Jennings leaves to cherish his memory, his 3 children, Richard, Michael, and Stephanie, 8 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; and his longtime friend and companion whom the family appreciated very much, Jane Wooten of Idabel. Private services will be held and the family requests no flowers. Donations or gifts may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 4550 Post Oak Place Dr., Ste. 307, Houston, TX 77027.