DR. GARY D. BOGACHUS, CLASS OF 1972
Dr. Gary Duane Bogachus passed away on Sept. 27, 2017 in Kirkland, Wash. He was 74.
Dr. Bogachus was born on April 8, 1943 in Shelton, Wash., to Anthony and Doris Bogachus. He graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then attended the UW School of Dentistry. Afterward, he completed graduate studies in the dental medicine program at the University of Pennsylvania. He spent several years teaching and providing clinical instruction at the School of Dentistry before starting his own dental practice in Bellevue, Wash., where he specialized in prosthodontics until his retirement. A fellow dentist and friend called him a “dentist’s dentist” with great attention to detail.
He married Victoria Bogachus in 1981, and they had two daughters, Lindsey and Brett, before eventually divorcing. His girls were the light of his life, and he used every opportunity in conversation to talk about their accomplishments in sports as they grew up.
He pursued his passion for the outdoors, going on hunting and fishing trips across the United States and Mexico. He also enjoyed spending time in his garden, growing his tomato plants, and in his kitchen, entertaining guests with his homemade dishes and endless stories.
He is survived by his daughters Lindsey and Brett Bogachus; sisters Evalyn Dietz and Lynnette Manning; aunt Joyce Lee; nephews David and Douglas Dietz; and niece Julie Manning. He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Dennis Dietz. (Seattle Times)
DR. E. DAVID ENGST, DDS CLASS OF 1972, ORTHDONTICS CLASS OF 1977
E. David Engst grew up spending summers picking fruit in the orchards of Wenatchee; he spent his retirement pulling teeth in a Bolivian coca plantation, where he was known as Dr. Loco. His most cherished titles were Abuelo and Dad.
After graduating from Wenatchee High School, David attended the University of Washington, which he thought was just about the coolest place on Earth. There, he met Cathy, who would become his wife and mother of his sons, Adam and Cooper, whom he thoroughly indoctrinated to be even more fervent Huskies than he.
Following dental school, he served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He hated being called “Sir!” nearly as much as he hated the War. During his service, he developed a love for oral surgery, but he returned to the UW to become an orthodontist. Though his sons were his proudest accomplishments, his dedication to orthodontic artistry left the Pacific Northwest with some of its most beautiful smiles.
David wasn’t very good at retirement, and dentistry soon called him back into action, this time as a volunteer. Although he volunteered in the U.S. at Interfaith Community Health Center and at Homeless Connect with his favorite dental assistant, his daughter-in-law Magdalena, his true passion was volunteering in the developing world. His work took him to some of the most remote regions of the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where many of his patients had never even owned a toothbrush, let alone been seen by a dentist. He spent years perfecting his own mobile dental clinic—all of which could be packed into five plastic bins and carried in the back of a 4×4 pickup. His medical-dental brigades found him treating street children in Cochabamba, Zapatista guerrillas in Chiapas, and indigenous Aeta people in the foothills of Mt. Pinatubo.
He hunkered down in his clinic through a Honduran hurricane in a cinder block basement in La Moskitia.
He escaped a military coup by bribing a police officer to whisk him through Tegucigalpa’s maze of tanks and troops, barricades and burning tires to fly out just moments before President Zelaya himself fled from the same airport. David soon returned.
He found a notorious Bolivian prison a bit beyond his comfort zone. And, after being held at gunpoint one too many times, he moved his dental operation from the jungles of Latin America to the mountains of the Philippines.
Of all the harrowing adventures, however, David considered his first (and final) piano recital, at age 57, as the most terrifying day of his life.
After 18 years of volunteering in the most dangerous and impoverished parts of the globe, the winningest coach in college basketball history, Mike Krzyzewski, presented David with the AAO Humanitarian of the Year Award. Following his acceptance speech, the legendary Coach K told David that he was his hero; David told Coach K that he didn’t know who he was, but that he seemed very nice.
David skied the slopes from Mt. Baldy to Spirit “Molehill” Mountain; he sailed the seas from Bora Bora to the British Virgin Islands. The only thing that brought him more joy was teaching his sons to ski and sail alongside him. Much to the chagrin of local Olympic champion Picabo Street, he would never hesitate to inform anyone and everyone that his beloved little sister, Darlene, was in fact the very best skier in Sun Valley. He always had a special place in his heart for Darlene.
In his final years, he split his time between performing oral surgery in the Philippines and extracting nickels and dimes from the ears of his grandchildren, Kiara, Giovanni, Jackson, Natalie, and Evelyn. He relished his role as Abuelo.
Surrounded by his sons, Adam and Cooper, and their wives, Magdalena and Anna, he passed peacefully on Aug. 11, 2022 from interstitial lung disease, which he contracted from moldy living quarters while serving the people of the Philippines.
DR. VON W. KUEHN, DDS CLASS OF 1972
Dr. Von W. Kuehn passed away on March 2, 2022, surrounded by family in the warmth of his home in Anacortes, Wash. He was 82.
He was born in 1940 in Nampa, Idaho, the oldest child of Fern and Karl Kuehn. He was later joined by siblings Lynn and Suzi. The family moved to Clarkston, Wash., where he enjoyed growing up on the banks of the Snake River. He graduated from Clarkston High School in 1958. He considered himself a slow starter academically, as he was too busy enjoying life to excel in school. After high school he spent a year working in a gas station, then joined the U.S. Army in 1959, training as an operating room specialist. This sparked a lifelong interest in all things medical and landed him at Madigan Hospital in Tacoma. He then earned a BA in science education at Pacific Lutheran University.
Dr. Kuehn worked at the Boeing Company in Seattle for two years before entering the School of Dentistry. During this time he met Betty, the love of his life, and they married in 1970. Upon graduation they chose Anacortes as their home and location for his 26-year dental career. Children’s events, construction projects, camping trips, and travel rounded out a full, happy life.
He was well known in the dental community for his skills, high standards, attention to detail, and endless patience with those who were fearful or hesitant. He chose early retirement at age 58. The couple worked as Rotary dental volunteers in Guatemala for a month each year, traveled in Europe by bicycle various times, and took trips to Africa, Alaska, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands. They also enjoyed trips in their Roadtrek RV to massive family reunions in Iowa, as well as camping and birding in the Northwest.
Dr. Kuehn will be remembered for his “Art of a Good Conversation” and kindness. He was ready to really listen to you, and he wasn’t in a hurry, whether attending to you in the dental chair, meeting in the grocery aisle or at a Gere-a-Deli coffee table, riding his bicycle around March Point, rowing with his crew of the lovely OARSS boats, seated around the Rotary Club lunch table, or in the midst of a chaotic family reunion. He was well-read on numerous topics and always ready for an in-depth discussion. In his last years, he particularly enjoyed sitting in “The Nest” (his front window swivel chair) with his coffee, newspaper, and iPad close at hand, as he observed life passing by on L Avenue, watched birds in the front bushes, snuggled with a grandchild, or enjoyed the many visitors who stopped in.
Dr. Kuehn is survived by his wife, Betty, of Anacortes; daughters Toni Carr of Sedro-Woolley, Wash., and Evy (Buddy) of Anacortes; son Aaron (Stephanie) of Huntington Beach, Calif.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother Lynn (Cherl) of Spokane, Wash.; sister Suzi (Bert) Fox of Wells, Nev.; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in law, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. (Legacy.com)
DR. DOUGLAS V. MAUERMAN, CLASS OF 1972
Dr. Douglas Vern Mauerman passed away peacefully at his home on July 13, 2013 in Rochester, Wash. He was 72.
Dr. Mauerman was born on Aug. 14, 1940 in Vancouver, Wash., grew up in Longview, Wash., and lived his adult years in the Centralia, Wash., area. In his youth, he spent summers on his grandfather’s farm in the Lincoln Creek Valley. He eventually returned to the valley to build a small farm, vineyard and home and spent his retirement years working on the land.
Dr. Mauerman married Phyllis Rice in 1960 and graduated from Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., with a degree in chemistry in 1962. He worked for Weyerhaeuser in Cosmopolis, Wash., until 1967, when he returned to school to pursue his doctorate in dentistry at the University of Washington. He practiced dentistry in Centralia from 1972 to 2010.
In 1978, he married Deena Pickens. He was active in Rotary, the Sons of Norway, the Lincoln Creek Grange, his church and other community groups. His children noted that once involved in an activity, he would usually serve in a leadership role. He also enjoyed traveling the world. Most recently, he spent three months in the Philippines with his fiancée, Lilia Santos.
Dr. Mauerman is survived by his children, Barry (Peggy) of Allenspark, Colo., Karen Schreuder (Lee) of Bellingham, Wash., Kate Christenson of Mason, Mich., and Tiffany McCullough of Yuma, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; sister Diane Mauerman; and cousin Brian Thompson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Esther Mauerman, and sister Sally Mauerman.
DR. MICHAEL A. NIEDER, CLASS OF 1972
Dr. Michael Alan Nieder, who practiced dentistry on Washington’s Whidbey Island for 23 years and then retired to run his family’s real estate business and pursue his various hobbies, passed away on Sept. 6, 2014. He was 67.
Born in Seattle to Lawrence and Ann Nieder on Jan. 27, 1947, he had three younger sisters, Susan Nieder Acunto, Janice Nieder and Penelope Leopold. Michael graduated from Franklin High School. After receiving his DDS in 1972, he opened his dental practice in Coupeville, Wash.
Michael earned the title of Eagle Scout as a young man. He became an accomplished golfer and longtime member of Whidbey Golf and Country Club. He enjoyed a lifetime of golf with his friends and especially his daughter, Devra Nieder. Coaching his son Daniel’s youth baseball and basketball teams was one of Dr. Nieder’s priorities. He also enjoyed spending his days riding his horses, fishing and beachcombing with his friends and beloved dog Laeliah. He was a true cowboy, a fantastic chef and a voracious reader who loved to learn. His wit and humor will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his mother, Ann Nieder, and children, son Daniel Nieder and two daughters, Jillian Fisher and Devra Nieder. (Seattle Times)
DR. DOUGLAS O’CONNOR, CLASS OF 1972
Dr. Douglas “Doug” O’Connor died at home of natural causes on Oct. 21, 2014 at the age of 68.
“It was a shock and surprise to everybody,” said Dr. John Berwind, a lifelong friend and fellow dentist.
Dr. O’Connor was born on July 10, 1946 in Astoria, Ore., and moved to Longview, Wash., at the age of 4. He attended Mark Morris when it was a middle school and graduated from R.A. Long High School in 1964. He earned a chemistry degree from the UW in 1968 and served as an Army captain and dentist from 1972-74. He then opened a dental practice in Longview. Three years later, he and Dr. Berwind moved into the same 11th Avenue building to operate separate practices side by side. Dr. O’Connor retired in March 2014.
“His skill, care and judgment were beyond reproach,” said Dr. Berwind. “He treated his patients like they were family. … and he always tried to do what was best for the patient.”
Dr. Steven Pond, who served with Dr. O’Connor in the Lower Columbia Dental Society, said, “He was a very integral part (of the society) for years and years. We’ll miss him both in the community and dental community.”
Dr. O’Connor was a member of the American Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry and Academy of Dentistry International. He earned his master’s degree and fellowship in the Academy of Dentistry. He received the Washington State Dental Association Citizen of the Year Award and the Cowlitz County Citizen of the Year Award. He was a member of the Lions Club (Sunrise and Longview/Kelso Earlybirds) for more than 40 years and served in leadership positions for the United Way of Cowlitz County for 18 years (including local president in 1981 and the state of Washington president in 1987).
“The hours that he contributed to the United Way, his knowledge and his care (made him) a really good example of our mission,” said Kalei C. LaFave, president of the United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties.
Dr. O’Connor served on the Longview School Board for 12 years – four as president – and was a founding member and president of the R.A. Long Alumni Association, a member of the R.A. Long Hall of Fame Committee, a recipient of the Marlen Peterson Memorial Award and a dedicated Lumberjack.
“What was really important to Doug was making sure that we were providing a focus on academics, that we have the systems and programs in place to support academic achievement,” said Jennifer Leach, Longview school board president.
Dr. O’Connor’s son, Tyson, said his father “loved the Longview community because it gave a lot to him growing up. And he wanted to give back to Longview.”
Dr. O’Connor always included his family in community events. He loved taking family trips throughout the country and cheering on the Blazers and Dawgs. He was a passionate supporter of UW academics and athletics.
After retiring, he spent a lot of time at the family cabin in Chinook, Wash., and saw family and friends around the country. He frequently met with a group of high-school friends and tried to stay active in the community.
Dr. O’Connor is survived by his wife, Jeanne; and children Tyson and Tara.
DR. DONALD SOLTERO, CLASS OF 1972, ORAL MEDICINE CLASS OF 1977
Dr. Donald “Don” Soltero passed away on May 19, 2018 in Issaquah, Wash., with his three daughters at his side. He was 72.
Dr. Soltero was born on May 5, 1946 in Milwaukee to Donald and Mary Soltero. He graduated from Seattle Preparatory School and earned a BS in natural science from Seattle University. He graduated from the School of Dentistry and continued his education there, obtaining an MSD and Oral Medicine certification.
Dr. Soltero is survived by his daughters Tara (Steve) Cook, Kristin Soltero, and Molly (Bryan) Fossum; three grandchildren; his mother, Mary A. Soltero of Sequim, Wash.; siblings Dr. Michael J. Soltero, John R. Soltero, Sally A. Gore, Julie A. Linker, and Kathleen M. Soltero; numerous nieces and nephews; and other loving family and friends. (Seattle Times)