Eduardo Ortiz

Dr. Eduardo Ortiz, Jr. a former Hopewell general dentist and longtime professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Dentistry, died Saturday, May 15, 2004 after a period of declining health. Dr. Ortiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1922. He moved to the mainland at the age of 17 to attend Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmittsburg, Maryland for his undergraduate workj. World War II sent him to the China-Burma-India Theatre for three years, where he earned two combat stars. His service in the Field Hospital inspired an interest in the health professions and he went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1951. A former President of the Virginia Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Ortiz also held seats on various committees for the American Academy of General Dentistry, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Southside Virginia Dental Association. From 1987 to 1991 he served as Deputy Regent from the Virginia District to the International College of Dentists. He was honored to be selected by his peers to be a Fellow in the Virginia Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the International College of Dentists, and the Academy of Dentistry International. He was also a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Fraternity. In 1980 he was named “Man of the Year” by the Virginia Chapter of the Academy of General Dentistry. On the faculty of the VCU School of Dentistry for two decades, the students voted Dr. Ortiz “Outstanding Part-time Clinical Instructor” six different years. While an instructor he published several articles on the prevention of dental disease. A devoted family man, Dr. Ortiz was an active member of St. James Catholic Church in Hopewell. Community service included over 20 years in the Kiwanis Club, and a number of years on staff to John Randolph Hospital as well as Consultant to the Nursing Home. In his later years he turned his manual dexterity to the stained glass art his family continues to appreciate. A lover of literature, he instilled the same in his children. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Johanna Buyalos Ortiz of Dinwiddie formerly of Hopewell; five children, Dr. Edward A. (Andy) Ortiz of Charlottesville, Joanne M. Ortiz of Dinwiddie, Janeen O. Carabetta of Westbrook, CT., Robert G. Ortiz of Chester and Carmina O. Drummond of Richmond; a sister, Ileana Ortiz de Rivera of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and nine grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, May 19 at St. James Catholic Church. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park. A rosary will be held 6:00 pm Tuesday at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home where the family will receive friends until 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. James Catholic Church, 510 W. Poythress St. Hopewell, VA 23860 The Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or the American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 801018, Charlottesville, VA 22908.