Remembering Dentistry Leaders Dr.RochSt-Aubin Dr.RandalBalcom Dr. Roch St-Aubin of Sudbury, Ontario, passed away on December 29, 2022, at age 63. Dr. Randal Robert Balcom of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, passed away on April 5, 2023, at age 67. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario School of Dentistry in 1986, Dr. St‑Aubin started his career practising alongside his father, Dr. Daniel St-Aubin. Together, they built a dental practice which later became the Groupe Dentaire Sudbury Dental Group. A passionate advocate for the profession at the local and provincial level, Dr. St-Aubin served as a member of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) Board of Directors from 2015−21. Prior to being elected to the ODA Board, he was a long-time ODA General Councillor, acting as the voice of dentists of the Sudbury and District Dental Society. He was a political contact dentist for the Sudbury and Nickel Belt ridings and a member of the ODA’s Political Action Committee, of which he also served as chair. His dedication and commitment to the profession he loved were recognized when he was honoured with the ODA Service Award. Dr. St-Aubin had many interests outside of dentistry and he loved sharing his passion for skiing and motorcycles. He had a gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel important. He was often described by his patients as kind, considerate and having the nicest manners. Dr. St-Aubin loved his family more than anything; he is survived by Denise, his wife of 41 years, and he was the proud father of Caleb and Ani. Dr. Balcom graduated with his dental degree from Dalhousie University in 1981. His career of 30+ years started in British Columbia in Kelowna, Armstrong and Vancouver, where he was a member of both the Fairview Endodontic and Vancouver Ferrier Gold Foil Study Clubs. In 2002, he returned to Nova Scotia and wanted to create an endodontics study group on the East Coast where general dentists could further their studies and create a sense of community. His vision was realized with the establishment of the East Coast Endodontic Study Club (ECESC), co-founded in 2003 by Dr. Balcom and his wife Suzanne, along with his close friend and classmate Dr. Robert Roda. Dr. Balcom served as a role model and mentor during these ECESC sessions at Dalhousie and he was an integral part of the group’s success and longevity. His generosity and desire to support his dental colleagues was an inspiration to many in the group. For the past 18 years, Dr. Balcom continued to educate general dentists in endodontics while practising dentistry in Wolfville. His kind, compassionate and respectful care of his patients shone through at every appointment. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Balcom’s sense of adventure led him to pursue and excel in many athletic activities, including skiing and sailing. Dr. Balcom is survived by Suzanne, his wife of 35 years, and his children Samuel and Rebecca. 45 Issue 3 | 2023 | Obituaries
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