Ray E. Stevens, Jr.

Ray E. Stevens, Jr., D.D.S., passed away March 8, at age 96. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Carol Deene (Porter), three sons, David R. Stevens (Betty), of Edgewood, NM, Frederic P. Stevens (Maureen), of Grand Rapids, and Scott S. Stevens of Traverse City, five grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his sister, Ardeth J. Miller (James W.), of Melbourne, FL. Born in Grand Rapids, the son of Ray E. Stevens, D.D.S. and Martha J. Stevens, he graduated from South High School, Grand Rapids Junior College and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.  During WWII, he served as a dental officer, Lt(DC)USN, at the NTS Great Lakes, IL, the US Naval Hospital, Bethesda, MD, and aboard the USS Bremerton, (CA-130). Retiring in 1996 after fifty-two years in dental practice, he was a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Academy of Operative Dentistry and had served as President of the Kent County Dental Society. Governor George Romney appointed him to the Michigan Dental Board, on which he served for seven years, becoming President of the American Association of Dental Examiners. He produced and filmed three scientific motion pictures, one of which, “The Truth About Fluoridation”, was translated into five languages by the World Health Organization and distributed worldwide. Ray conducted and published the original research on “Airborne Microorganisms Using Air-Turbine Handpieces”. He was a guest lecturer at the U of M School of Dentistry for seventeen years in the Restorative Dentistry graduate program. He served as Chairman of the Visiting Committee and was a member of the Board of Governors and the search committee for the Deanship of the School of Dentistry. Ray also taught classes at Grand Rapids Community College for dental auxiliaries. He was presented Distinguished Service Awards by the West Michigan District Dental Society, Grand Rapids Community College, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and the Alumni Board of Governors. He served as President of the Board of the D.A. Blodgett Home for Children and was a member of both the Planning Division of the United Way and the Board of the Kent County Cancer Society. With his wife, Ray co-chaired the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. He also served as Vice President of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra Society. Ray was a member of Golden Kiwanis, the Army Navy Club, the Michigan Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He enjoyed golf and sailing, but most of all, he loved being with his family, listening to good music, reading history and traveling the back roads to photograph, with Carol, the beauty of our country. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 27, at 10:00AM in the Clark Retirement Community Chapel, 1551 Franklin St. SE, Grand Rapids, with burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Battle Creek, MI. The family asks that those wishing to make a memorial donation do so to the Clark Retirement Community, or, to a charity of their choice.

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