AAO leaders were saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. John M. Faust Sr. at age 97 on January 9.
Dr. Faust of Hattiesburg, Mississippi served as president of the AAO for 1979-80, presiding over the 1980 Annual Session in New Orleans. He was also a trustee of the American Dental Association, president of what is now the Southern Association of Orthodontists, and president of the Mississippi Dental Association. Dr. Faust practiced orthodontics in Hattiesburg from 1951 until his retirement in 1982.
A Captain in the United States Army during World War II in the Philippines and Japan, Dr. Faust graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry, where he completed his dental degree and orthodontic residency. He received the 1976 Outstanding Dental Alumnus Award from the University of Tennessee Dental Alumni Association.
“During my time on the AAO Board with Dr. Faust, I thought he was one of the most astute individuals that we had in leadership,” says Dr. Russell Greer of Nicholasville, Kentucky, who served as AAO president for 1987-88. “I always respected his opinions and valued his thoughts on any issue that we were addressing.”
During their time on the Board together, Dr. Greer worked with Dr. Faust on initiatives such as advocating the AAO’s position against an American Dental Association House of Delegates resolution.
“Dr. Faust was supportive of me as I presented the AAO’s information at a Reference Committee hearing, and our input helped defeat the resolution,” says Dr. Greer. “After we both moved off the Board, we spoke by phone occasionally. My wife and I also travelled to Dr. Faust’s hometown for an event in his community recognizing him, and we really enjoyed that visit. Dr. Faust was one of the best friends that I made through my AAO involvement. He was a great man and a great leader.”
