Walter B. Hall, DDS, MSD

Walter Burnell Hall, 83, of Tiburon, CA, died November 30, 2014, surrounded by his wife Francella, sons Scott and Greg, and sister Grace Hall Denizkurt.

Walter was born November 10, 1931, in Quincy, MA, son of Walter Stanwood Hall and Mabel Eloise Fletcher Hall. He graduated from Cornell University in 1953 with a bachelor of arts degree in history, and earned a DDS from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland, in 1957. He was a member of Sigma XI Fraternity in 1959. After three years in the U.S Public Health Service, he completed graduate work and earned his M.S.D in periodontology at the University of Washington in 1962. Walter was a member and later twice president of his Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society chapter. He was also inducted into the International College of Dentists.

Walter married Francella Kohls August 19, 1961. He taught and was Professor Chairman at Oregon Health and Science University. And was Professor Chair at University of Washington before becoming professor and chair of periodontics at University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 1972. He published four textbooks in eight languages and numerous journal articles; research interests focused on pure mucogingival problems. A director of the Pacific Foundation for Dental Research and consultant for the journal of the California Dental Association, Walter was also active in the American Academy of Periodontology and chaired its 1985 annual session. He lectured in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Switzerland, Australia, and Japan, and was chief examiner for periodontics specialty licensure for the Royal College of Dentists in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Walter and Fran directed the American International Youth Student Exchange from 1981 until Walter’s retirement from Pacific in 2002, after which he served as a Marin County member of California’s Area Board 5 on Developmental Disabilities. Walter was also a member of the Golden Gate Regional Center Board of Directors.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents and sister Barbara Hall Broe. He is survived by his wife Fran, sons Scott and Greg, sister Grace, and six nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held February 7, 2015, 11:00 a.m., at St. Hilary’s Church, Tiburon. Donations can be made to Life House for Individuals with Disabilities, 899 Northgate Drive, Suite 500, San Rafael, CA, 94903 or St. Hilary’s Music Department, 761 Hilary Drive, Tiburon, CA, 94920.

Funeral arrangements are with Monte’s Chapel of the Hills, 330 Red Hill Avenue, San Anselmo, CA, 94960.