Lindahl, Former Chair of Pediatric Dentistry, Passes Away
On July 2, Dr. Roy L. Lindahl, former chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, passed away at the age of 89.
Lindahl earned his dental degree from the USA Dental School in 1950. He joined the UNC School of
Dentistry Department of Pediatric Dentistry faculty in 1952 after earning his master’s in dentistry for children from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Later, 1956-68, he served as the school’s second chair for pediatric dentistry. From 1968-83, he served as director of the school’s Continuing Education Unit.
During his career, Lindahl was also a leader in local, state and regional dental organizations. He served as president of the Durham-Orange Dental Society, the North Carolina chapter of the American Society of Dentistry for Children, and the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry. He was the North Carolina Dental Society’s delegate to the American Dental Association (ADA) for 10 years and was also one of the founding members of the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Lindahl was also active in national dental organizations. During one notable 14 year period, he was preside of the American Society of Dentistry for Children, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He chaired the ADA Council on Dental Care Programs and was appointed to a task force on Medicaid and related programs.
Outside of dentistry, Lindahl was a leader still. He was a member of the Chapel Hill Rotary Club for 60 years, including serving as club president and a contributing member to the Rotary International Foundation. In 1997, Lindahl received the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.
Lindahl is survived by his wife, Marian Stephenson, his four children, three stepchildren and six grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held on August 22 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Roy L. Lindahl Fellowship Fund (Dental Foundation of North Carolina, Campus Box #7450, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450), the Carol Woods Charitable Fund-Employee Development Fund (750 Weaver Dairy Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514) or to a charity of the donor’s choosing.
