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Death of Dr. Siebert, Leader of Postdoctoral Periodontics
Dr. Jay S. Seibert, professor of periodontics and director of postdoctoral periodontics at the Dental School, died December 19 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) at the age of 69 only a few weeks after his illness prevented him from continuing his activities at Penn.
Dr. Seibert, well known in the dental community, had been a professor at the Dental School since 1973 when he returned to his alma mater as professor and chairman of the department, a position he held from 1973 to 1975 and from 1979 until 1982. He also served as associate dean for academic affairs and director of the predoctoral program from 1975 to 1979 and from 1982 to 1984. According to his colleague, Dr. Max Listgarten, he was perhaps best known as director of postdoctoral periodontics, a post he held from 1979 to 1981 and since 1990. "He was an outstanding clinician and clinical educator. He was a popular lecturer in this country and abroad. He was totally devoted to his students, who recognized and appreciated his superb talents as a teacher and clinician," said Dr. Listgarten.
After completing his pre-med studies at Bucknell University, he graduated with a D.D.S. degree from Penn's Dental School in 1953, and then earned an M.Sc.D. and certificate in periodontology from Baylor University in 1961.
Between 1953 and 1973, he served the U.S. Army Dental Corps, rising from First Lieutenant and retiring as a full Colonel. Between 1967 and 1973 he was Chief of Periodontics at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. During his Army service, he received numerous commendations, including the U.S. Army Commendation Medal and the U.S. Army Legion of Merit.
Dr. Seibert was a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology and the Pennyslvania Society of Periodontology. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
He is survived by his wife Joan Marie, his five children, John, Kimberly, Valerie, Thomas and Jeffrey; a brother, a sister and a grandson. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Monica Church, 635 First Ave., Berwyn, PA 19312.
Death of Dr. Coleman: At presstime, Almanac learned of the death of Dr. Mary E. Coleman, emeritus professor of education, on January 3 at the age of 83. An obituary will be published in a future issue.
Return to:Almanac, University of Pennsylvania, January 13, 1998, Volume 44, Number 17