ForeverMissed
Large image
His Life
January 18, 2012

Dr. John ‘Jack’ Coate Mitchem

Jack was born November 3, 1932 in Los Angeles, CA. Surrounded by his wife Lucy and sons Jeff and John, Jack passed away on January 8, 2012 after a two-year battle with cancer.

 

Jack spent his youth in the wilderness exploring Hopi country in Arizona, climbing the Grand Teton (at age 14), backpacking in Yosemite and skiing in the Cascade Mountains.

 

He graduated from Oregon State College in 1954 and reported for active duty in the US Navy. After flight training in Pensacola, FL and delivering troops to Korea, he left active duty in 1956 and entered the Navy Reserve, retiring in 1993 at the rank of Captain.

 

Jack married Lucy on December 15, 1956. The newlyweds moved to Corvallis, OR where Jack was received a master’s degree in science education and entered the Naval Reserve.  He later attended the OHSU School of Dentistry and graduated in 1963. After receiving a master’s degree in Dental Materials, Jack joined the dental school faculty in 1965 and taught until he retired Professor Emeritus in 2010.

 

He was an excellent teacher, guiding dental students through the world of dental materials with unbound enthusiasm. He spoke to hundreds of study clubs and lectured to dental associations internationally. He generated numerous research papers and received a prestigious international award for excellence in clinical research. He was a leader in American Dental Association standards development that contributed to the improvement of products used by the dental profession.

 

Jack was a long-time member of the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol and the Wy’east Climbing Club. Always an adventurer at heart, his greatest joy was being with his family and friends in the Pacific Northwest wilderness.  He led them to the summits of Cascade peaks, skiing throughout the west and sailing from Portland to Vancouver Island, B.C. dozens of times.  He was a past Commodore of Rose City Yacht Club, an active member of Portland Yacht Club and President of Columbia River Yachting Association. He was a proud and doting grandfather to Jenna and Owen, a loving husband to Lucy and an inspiration to his sons. He left the world a better place. Adventure in peace, Jack.

 

A memorial service celebrating Jack’s life will held on February 26th, 2012 at 3:00pm at Portland Yacht Club (1241 Northeast Marine Drive, Portland, Oregon 97211). A memorial scholarship in Jack’s name is being set up at the OHSU Dental School. Contributions can be made through the OHSU Foundation – 611 SW Campus Drive, Room 607, Attention Pat Regan, Portland, Oregon 97239.