AAO leaders and orthodontic leaders worldwide have been saddened to learn of the passing on August 17 of Dr. William H. DeKock, who served as the AAO’s president from 1994-95.
Dr. DeKock completed the orthodontic residency program at the University of Iowa in 1967 and established his practice in Cedar Rapids, where he practiced for 35 years. He served as an adjunct professor in the UI College of Dentistry and quickly became active in organized orthodontics, joining the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists Board of Directors in 1974 and serving as MSO president from 1980-81.
An advocate of international interaction and sharing of ideas among orthodontists, Dr. DeKock proposed and led the formation of the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO), the specialty’s first international organization.
Dr. DeKock’s leadership resulted in 69 organizations from 62 countries signing the original WFO charter during the 1995 AAO Annual Session in San Francisco. He became the first WFO president (1995-2000) and served as WFO secretary-general from 2000 to 2015. The WFO’s highest award, the William H. DeKock Distinguished Service Award, is named in his honor. The WFO now has affiliate orthodontic organizations, including the AAO, in more than 120 countries worldwide.
Recipient of the 2005 AAO James E. Brophy Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the AAO, Dr. DeKock was well-known for decades as a clinician and mentor to many orthodontists in the Midwest, throughout the United States and internationally. He was devoted to his wife, Margie, their children and grandchildren and was an avid golfer and Iowa Hawkeyes fan.
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Bill was one of my professors when I trained at the University of Iowa in my orthodontic residency. He was one of the “favorite” instructors and was a very accomplished orthodontist. More importantly, he was a fine man and was very kind to me when I was learning my profession. I am sure we can all remember a blunder or two when we were in our residency. Bill could see it coming and in a very gentle way he would prevent me from causing a near disaster. He loved his residents and treated us with respect. If there is a golf course in heaven, I am sure he is out there working on his game. We will all miss him.
Great to see your comment! I was surprised that only the 2 of us responded. How is life going for you and your family? Best wishes! Jim
Dr. DeKock was on the faculty when I attended the University of Iowa orthodontic residency program from 1978 to 1980. He was always willing to engage and embrace the residents in a collegial manner and that was much appreciated! He was a credit to the orthodontic community and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Jim Woods