Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Summer 2021 - 34

Legends of the PCSO
He stimulated dentists in all types
of practice to work together better,
which has led to better treatment
across the board, not just in
orthodontics.
His personal and professional relationship with
Drs. Frank Spear and Dave Mathews completely
changed dentistry by challenging us to think
differently about how we treat complex patients.
The idea of working with our dental colleagues,
using an interdisciplinary perspective to develop
conservative, yet comprehensive treatment plans
for these patients, has become the foundation
for adult treatment. It has also challenged us to
think " outside the box " and learn more about
the different aspects of dentistry when planning
treatment, which has ultimately made us better,
more complete orthodontists.
Vince and Peter Shapiro playing tennis with their
orthodontic idol/mentor, Dr. Dick Reidel
I didn't truly appreciate until I was older. What
we saw as kids was that he always made time to
attend our baseball, softball, and soccer games,
even if that meant rescheduling patients at the
end of the day to get there in time . . . family first!
I remember a time when I was younger, asking
him if he liked being so well known. I'll never
forget his response. He said, " I love what I do, but
my goal is not to be remembered by what I've
done in ortho, but by who I was and how I made
people feel. " He loved to teach, and through this
medium, he influenced us all. This is truly the
legacy that he wanted to build during his career.
Dr. Bill Proffit said once when asked about my
father,
Despite his many research contributions,
his successful effort toward
better integration of orthodontics
into complex treatment plans for
adults has to be considered his
major professional contribution.
Although he was passionate about orthodontics,
his greatest love was my mom, Marilyn, his wife of
44 years. Together, they instilled in my siblings and
me the importance of family and tradition. Our
home was always a warm and welcoming place
for family and friends to gather. Whether it was
dinner together every night, holidays, vacations,
or spending time at their beach house, everything
my dad did was with family in mind, and he loved
nothing more than when family was together.
Legend: a person or thing that inspires . . .
My dad led by example. I think I can honestly say
that he inspired us all to always do and be better.
Very few achieve as much as he did at such a
young age-he realized two lifetimes worth of
accomplishments in his 68 years, which certainly
gives him professional legendary status. However,
the fame doesn't make him legendary to me
or any of the others who were closest to him. It's
because of the person he was: kind, respectful,
interested, supportive, motivational, teacher . . .
and dad.
-Dr. Vince Kokich, Jr.
34
PCSO Bulletin Summer 2021
Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Summer 2021
