Shankle, Professor Emeritus and First Chair of Endodontics, Passes Away

Former professor and Endodontics Department Chair Dr. Robert Jack Shankle passed away on June 29, 2011 at 87 years of age after suffering a stroke.

In addition to actively practicing endodontics both privately and in the Dental Faculty Practice, Dr. Shankle served our school in a number of roles from 1951 – 1984, most notably including his appointment as the first chair of the Department of Endodontics. Among numerous other appointments, he also served as the President of the North Carolina Dental Society (1979 – 1980), Regent for the American College of Dentists, and President of the Supreme Chapter and the Upsilon Upsilon Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. After retiring from the School of Dentistry, Dr. Shankle was honored with both the endowment of an annual lecture series named for him as well as the title of Professor Emeritus. Dr. Shankle remained invested in the School and dentistry until he passed away.

However, Dr. Shankle would likely tell you that his greatest accomplishments were the students he educated. Those who sat in his classrooms received their education from a professor who was committed to seeing them succeed. In large part due to his approachable demeanor and obvious investment in each student’s career, he is remembered as an educator, mentor and friend.