In Memory

Dr Jesse Osier, of Davis, California, a Fellow of The Academy and a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/ID, died at his home on February 7, 2005, after a short and unsuccessful struggle with cancer. Dr Osier served in a number of vital capacities particularly in the areas of evaluating applicants for membership, first on the Test Construction Committee and then, from 2001–2004, on the Admissions and Credentials Board. His colleagues considered him to be conscientious, studious, and always dedicated to imbuing incoming Associate Fellows with the values and benefits of membership. Dr Osier's testing skills were admired by all who experienced interviews with him.

He was born July 28, 1933, and grew up in Idaho, where he attended a one-room elementary school taught by his mother. He went on to earn a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Idaho. In 1958, while head of the Propulsion Systems Division at the US Naval Ordnance Test Station in the Mojave Desert, he and his associates successfully launched the United States' first satellite.

Dr Osier graduated from the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry in 1973, completed a one-year residency at that campus, and then moved to Davis where he and a classmate opened an office. Implant dentistry was introduced to Yolo County at their offices in 1987. His engineering skills contributed to his excellent research on establishing standards of loading on dental implants of varying designs. He generously shared this information in lectures, articles, and scientific papers.

Jesse Osier was a member of numerous organizations. They included the Sacramento District Dental Society, the California Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. Although he entered practice at the age of 41, the impact he made in his chosen field was unique, eclectic and memorable.

At the services held to celebrate Jesse's life, a Makah Indian Prayer was invoked. Its message clearly represented his philosophies:

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glint in the snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep.

The members of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry mourn his passing and extend to his wife, Rena, and to his daughter and sons, their deepest condolences. We hope that the pain of Dr Osier's loss will be assuaged by the wonderful accomplishments and memories he has left with us.