Thursday, June 23, 2022
With gratitude, homage and remembrance, I stand on the shoulders of giants. The first giant in the dental profession who leaned over to boost me up on their back was Dr. Clarence Towns, my histology teacher in 1976 at University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry. I have never forgotten his signature algorithms and how he deftly used them to describe the complex interrelationships of cellular, tissue and organ systems. His introduction to the lesson of the day was always painlessly disarming: “Today we’re gonnna talk about the happenins of the kidneys”. And then he would happily and excitedly draw out the diagram that looked like it either came from the Chicago Bears playbook or from a circuit board diagram. Dr. Towns’ enthusiasm, optimism, intellect and drive inspired me to understand the very essence of complex subjects and, by example, motivated me to translate that knowledge in tangible ways from which others could learn. In essence, he single-handedly started me on my path as a clinician, author and educator, a path I will always travel, thanks to Dr. Clarence. As if that wasn’t enough. Good luck put me under the wing of Clarence’s son, Dr. Steve Towns while learning clinical dentistry at UIC. Steve took my hand and encouraged me to do my first gum tissue graft. With his smiling face, optimism and faith in me, I chose to follow his path in the dental specialty of periodontics where I still walk, always remembering the foot prints that he and his dad made in giving back to our profession. I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Towns family as they go through this most difficult transition. May you be gently rocked by the memory of Clarence, his legacy, and his long life well-lived. With love, George Merijohn
