Former dentist had loyal patients

Dr. Robert H. Morason, 72, a West Toledo dentist in practice for 40 years and a former president of the Toledo Dental Society whose patients were fiercely loyal, died of cancer Monday in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township.

He retired about five years ago.

"People, even when they moved from the area, flew in from Texas, Florida, from all over, because they wanted to keep him as a dentist," daughter Cathy Korn said. "Staff was treated like family, and patients treated us like family. They knew all about me. I'd run into people in the store - 'Oh, you're Dr. Morason's daughter!'•"

Patients shared their family photos too.

"He was known for his sensitivity to his patients," said Linda Siimpson, office manager the last 18 years of his practice. "When they came in, they were so comfortable, they felt like talking about their lives."

Once a year, he closed the office and sent his staff on an overnight trip to Shipshewana, Ind. His only stipulation: Employees had to return with a large Amish peach pie.

"He was the best boss I ever had," Mrs. Simpson said.

In the late 1960s, he was a reservist with the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing when he met Gary Chudzinski, then a pilot. A visit with Dr. Morason was part of Mr. Chudzinki's annual physical.

Mr. Chudzinski, later commander and vice commander of the 180th, chose Dr. Morason as his personal dentist.

"He was very professional and very thorough," Mr. Chudzinksi. "He was a great guy to be around and talk to. He was extremely enthusiastic about flying and aviation and had pictures with autographs from the Thunderbirds. He was proud to be part of the Air Guard and military and to be around flying."

Dr. Morason was a major in the Air Force reserve and was a former commander of the 180th Tactical Group Hospital. He received an Air Force commendation and an air medal for heroism.

He was 1981 president of the Toledo Dental Society. His late wife, Peggy, was a former president of the society's auxiliary.

He was a longtime member of the society's peer review committee and a director of the Ohio Academy of General Dentistry. He was editor of both groups' publications.

"He wanted to be in that position to help and make sure things [in dentistry] were the way they were supposed to be," Mrs. Simpson said. "He was well respected by other dentists."

On the home front, "he never missed a beat," his daughter said. "His family was very important. Every day, no matter what, he came home for lunch with my mom, and the office was closed for an hour and a half."

He was born Jan. 30, 1938, to Jennie and Henry Morason, of Austin Pharmacy in North Toledo. He grew up in the Old Orchard neighborhood of West Toledo and was a 1956 graduate of DeVilbiss High School.

He majored in premedicine at Miami University, from which he received a bachelor's degree in 1960. He received his medical degree in 1964 from Ohio State University. In September, 1964, he began practice in association with Dr. Frederick Hasbrouck, who was about to retire.

He and his wife married June 8, 1963. She died March 3, 1982.

Surviving are his daughter, Cathy Korn, son, Dr. Todd Morason, sister, Nancy Walker, and two grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow in the Foth-Dorf-

meyer Mortuary, where the body will be after 3 p.m. today. The family suggests tributes to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Contact Mark Zaborney at:

mzaborney@theblade.com

or 419-724-6182.