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Memoir
John Dowson
Regent's Proceedings 690
Regent's Proceedings 690
John Dowson, Professor of Dentistry, retired from active faculty status on June 30, 1980, after 25 years of service to The University of Michigan School of Dentistry as an outstanding teacher and administrator.
Dr. Dowson came to the Ann Arbor area in 1934 from Auburn, New York, where he was born in 1916, to enter Eastern Michigan University. After graduating from Eastern in 1938, he taught High School Science for two years in Bay City, Michigan, before entering The University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He earned the D.D.S. degree in 1945 and the M.S. degree in Endodontics in 1947, serving as a teaching fellow for the latter two years. He then entered private dental practice in Ann Arbor, a practice interrupted by two years of service as a Captain in the U.S. Air Corps in 1950-53.
Dr. Dowson joined the faculty of the School of Dentistry in 1955 as Assistant Professor, became Associate Professor in 1965, and was made Professor in 1968. He assumed chairmanship of the Department of Endodontics at the School in 1967.
Dr. Dowson's career in Endodontics paralleled the growth of the field, for it was as recently as 1964 that the American Dental Association granted recognition to Endodontics as a full-fledged specialty in the field of Dentistry. Dr. Dowson's leadership in the professional organizations devoted to Endodontics undoubtedly played a key part in its advancement as a Science. He is a diplomate on the American Board of Endodontics and served as the Board's Director, President, and Secretary over the years. He also played influential roles in the National, State, and Local Dental Organizations, serving as a leader in dental education and scientific concerns.
In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, Dr. Dowson devoted many hours to civic activities. He was a member of the Ann Arbor City Council for two terms, was active on the City Planning Commission, and was a director of the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce.
The Regents now salute this distinguished health educator for his dedicated service by naming him Professor Emeritus of Dentistry.