Eugene Stoft Merchant, 93, of Lincoln, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015.
Born Sept. 27, 1922, in Independence, Missouri, Gene grew up in Omaha. He attended Omaha University from 1941 to 1943 and continued his education through the U.S. Navy V-12 officer-training program until 1947. He earned a bachelor of science degree in dentistry in 1945 and a D.D.S. degree in 1947, both from the University of Nebraska. He served in the Navy Dental Corps from 1947 to 1949.
He married Marolyn Hartsook in 1947 and conducted a private dental practice in Omaha from 1949 to 1965. He served as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserves until 1957.
He was a part-time instructor at Creighton University Dental School from 1957 to 1960 and from 1963 to 1964, and was an instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor and associate dean at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry from 1965 to 1988. He served as interim dean from 1980 to 1981.
He was a member of the Omaha District, Lincoln District, Nebraska and American Dental Associations. A fellow in the American College of Dentists, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the honorary dental fraternity, in 1969. He was a consultant to the Commission on Dental Accreditation for the American Dental Association, and a member and a past president of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Board of Health. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity, First-Plymouth Congregational Church and Executive Club of Lincoln.
He is survived by three children, David (Connie) Merchant of Lincoln; Meg (Jim) Lauerman of Lincoln; Joel (Jane) Merchant of Justin, Texas; sister Ardis (Ed) Forgy of Los Angeles; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Henry Merchant; his wife Marolyn and his sister, Marion Reilly.
A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D St., Lincoln.
Memorials can be made to First-Plymouth, or the College of Dentistry through the University of Nebraska Foundation.