Dr. John T. Lindquist, orthodontist, inventor, entrepreneur and past AAO president died on October 27 at age 93.
An U.S. Navy inductee during World War II, Dr. Lindquist studied at Tufts University and then was sent by the Navy to the Indiana University School of Dentistry. He also completed the IU orthodontic residency program and in 1953, became a full-time instructor in the Orthodontic Department. He served in the U.S. Navy and the Indiana National Guard for many years, reaching the rank of Major.
After starting his practice in Indianapolis, Dr. Lindquist became active in organized dentistry and orthodontics. He was president of the AAO in 1988-89, presiding over the 1989 Annual Session in Anaheim, California. Dr. Lindquist also served as a director of the American Board of Orthodontics and was a leader, board member and/or president of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists, the Charles H. Tweed Foundation and the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists (GLAO), which awarded him its Dr. David C. Hamilton Distinguished Service Award. He spoke internationally at orthodontic meetings, including those of the French, Japanese, British and Brazilian societies.
In addition, Dr. Lindquist was a founding shareholder of Orthodontic Supply Corporation and Research Inc. and worked with the company on new product development and processes. Early in his career he had lectured before the Edward H. Angle Society on an original indirect band technique and continued working to innovate and improve the practice of orthodontics throughout his life. After retiring from practice in 2002, Dr. Lindquist was assigned rights to a U.S. patent for a product that his company marketed.
Dr. Eugene Roberts, professor emeritus of orthodontics at Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis, was a friend of Dr. Lindquist and is compiling historical information about Dr. Lindquist’s career and leadership within the specialty.
“Dr. Lindquist was one of the first orthodontists trained at Indiana University,” said Dr. Roberts. “As the teacher of both Jim Baldwin and Charles Burstone, John Lindquist was my biomechanics ‘grandfather’. He worked to advance our specialty in many ways, including playing an important role in the history and evolution of edgewise orthodontics. I am not sure there is a precedent for the broad influence that Dr. Lindquist had on orthodontics: R&D, manufacturing, private practice, clinical standards and political leadership.”
As an AAO board member and president, Dr. Lindquist was noted for his strong leadership capabilities. Dr. Terry Pracht, AAO president for 2004-05 and current chairman of the AAO Insurance Company, also developed a friendship with Dr. Lindquist and enjoyed learning from him.
“When I was first elected as a Director of the GLAO during the early 1980s, John was a relatively new AAO Trustee for our constituent organization,” says Dr. Pracht. “He did an excellent job of bringing us all of the important issues and worked with us on developing resolutions to the AAO House of Delegates. He was a great orthodontist, leader and friend.”
Dr. Lindquist’s funeral took place on November 3. In lieu of flowers, his requested memorial contributions to the AAO Foundation or to the Mayo Clinic. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.
