William Sommer
Obituary
Dr. William Paul Sommer was born February 6, 1927 in Webb City, Ok to Walter Charles and Mary (Cunneen) Sommer. He passed from this life January 19, 2013 in Tulsa at the age of 85. Paul was raised and attended school in Sand Springs, Ok. He served in the European Theater with the US Army 10 Infantry Division from 1945 to 1947.
He attended The University of Tulsa and Northeastern State University where he received his Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering. Paul returned to TU for a short time before transferring to the University of Missouri School of Dentistry, where he received his DDS in 1958. Paul then attended Baylor University to obtain his Certificate of Degree in Periodontics, which he received in 1965. Paul began teaching and served as Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Oklahoma School Of Dentistry in 1973; he volunteered at the Hillcrest Medical Center Dental Clinic and served as president of the Oklahoma Society of Periodontics from 1973 to 1976.
Paul also served in Dentistry abroad, volunteering at Santiago Atlan in Guatemala; as an instructor at Ceylon University in Sri Lanka and at the Lithuania School of Dentistry, to name only a few. He was recognized by the American Dental Association with their Meritorious Service Award and the Project Hope Award. Additionally, Paul served as Chairman and Executive Committee Representative for the St. Francis Hospital Dental Department, he was member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the American Association of Periodontics, the Oklahoma Dental Association, the American Society of Dental Anesthesiology, the Southwest Society of Periodontists, Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity, Rotary International and was a long time member of Holy Family Cathedral.
Paul is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Kristen and Timothy Kenneally, Paula and Don DeSelms; son, Michael Sommer; Paul's former wife, Mary Ellen Sommer; grandchildren, Anna Kenneally, Dominic Kenneally, Sommer DeSelms, Michael DeSelms and Byron DeSelms; his brothers, Frances and Robert Sommer; his sister, JoAnne Rueb and his faithful dog, Chloe.
The rosary will be prayed 5:30 pm Thursday in the Marian Chapel at Church of St. Mary. A funeral mass will be held 1:00 pm Friday at Church of St. Mary.
In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in Paul's memory to Afghanistan Dental Relief Project, ADRP, INC, P.O. Box 734, Santa Barbara, CA 93102 or Catholic Charities, 2450 N Harvard Ave., Tulsa, Ok 74115.
Events
Tributes & Memories
He was a family friend and my dentist. I first started going to him as my childhood dentist. I was 8 years old. I continued going to him in my later years as my periodontist until his passing. I went to high school with his niece Karen Ruebb.
His sister and her family lived down the street from me on 20th street, Tulsa, Oklahoma. I loved him as a friend and doctor. He showed me great kindness and compassion. He was very skillful. I will miss him deeply.
Jonathan Sedlacek
Dr. Sommer was a passionate man who loved people and his work. We loved him and are sorry to learn of his passing. He was our periodontist for over twenty years, until his retirement, we speak often of his kindness and passion as a fine man. He is missed.
James and Fern Walls
All members of the UMKC dental community mourn the passing of Dr. Paul Sommer, a member of the DDS Class of 1958. On behalf of our faculty, students, staff and alumni, we wish to convey our heartfelt sympathies to Dr. Sommer’s family. Dr. Marsha Pyle, Dean of the UMKC School of Dentistry
Dr. Marsha Pyle
Kristen and family, I am so sorry about the loss of your Dad. He was a very good periodontist. He also was a very kind person. My prayers go with you and your family. Blessings, Deb Beeson
Deborah Beeson