In memoriam -Professor Emeritus Stuart Hunter

A former Chair of Orthodontics, and Professor Emeritus, W. Stuart Hunter died peacefully at Marion Villa, on March 4, 2011, in his 84th year. Predeceased by his first wife (1964- 1988) Evelyn. Husband to June, Dad to Anne (Chris) and Beth (Malek), Stepdad to Ted (Patti), Jeff, Andrea (Isaac), Poppy to grandsons Eddie, Spencer, Majdi and Sinann and to step-grandchildren Garret and Brandon (mom Kristine), Maarika and Ali (mom Peggy) and Halia, brother to Ruth (John - deceased) and John (Betty), brother-in-law to Pat, Don, Art, Molly, uncle to numerous nieces and nephews, colleague and friend to many others. Born in Orillia Ontario on May 5, 1927, Stuart received the degree of dental surgeon (DDS) from the University of Toronto in 1950, an MS in orthodontics from the university of Michigan in 1955 and a PhD in anthropology and orthodontics from Michigan in 1959. He was employed by the University of Toronto (Burlington Orthodontic Research Centre) from 1959 to 1961 and held a research appointment under his mentor, colleague and great friend Robert E. Moyers at the Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan from 1961-1968. In 1968 he became professor of orthodontics at the University of Western Ontario and established a graduate program in orthodontics with the support of several London orthodontists. Since the first class graduated in 1971, more than 70 of Dr. Hunter's students established practices in every province of Canada and several in the United States. He published over 40 papers on orthodontics, on topics including twins, heritability in the human face and craniofacial growth. He stepped down as chair of orthodontics in 1990 and was granted emeritus status when he retired in 1992. Stuart contributed very actively to several organizations and groups throughout his life, including the Ann Arbor 'sewing circle', the North Sound Cottagers' Association, the Unitarian Fellowship of London and the Shalom Community. A talented handyman with seemingly endless patience for building and rebuilding, he took on a great diversity of projects in his life, from home renovations to assembly of harpsichords and model airplanes. He directed much of his creative energy to maintaining and improving the facilities at his beloved Passage Island in the Georgian Bay (acquired in 1971) and was proud of the carpentry, plumbing, small motor repair, boating, roofing, wiring and propane appliance skills he developed to do so. Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1993, Stuart held tenaciously to life, 'pressing on relentlessly' right to the end. Heartfelt thanks go to the many friends and relatives who were so generous with their support to Stuart and the family over the last difficult months. The family is grateful to the staff at Marion Villa for their consistently loving care, which went well beyond the call of duty. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Fellowship of London on Monday March 7 at 2 pm (557 Clark Rd. N5V 2E1). Donations to the Unitarian Fellowship of London gratefully accepted in lieu of flowers.