Allan V. Gibbons, 84, professor of dentistry for four decades

A memorial service will be held by the family for Allan V. Gibbons, 84, who had served as a professor of dentistry in the School of Dental Medicine for more than 40 years. Gibbons died May 1 in Hospice Buffalo, Cheektowaga, after a brief illness.

Gibbons, who graduated summa cum laude from Hamilton College in 1936 and from the UB dental school in 1939, served in the U.S. Army in North Africa, Italy and France as a member of the 23rd General Hospital, achieving the rank of major.

After maintaining a private practice from 1939 through the mid-1970s, he chaired the dental-hygiene program at Erie Community College and was instrumental in maintaining its continued accreditation.

He was a life member of the American Dental Association, the New York State Board of Dentistry and the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners, serving as its president from 1960-69. He also held a life membership in the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society.

In 1956, he was elected a fellow of the American College of Dentistry and received the organization's Distinguished Service Award in 1986.