Dr. Davis Garlapo

December 22, 1942 - November 1, 2021

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Dr. Davis A. Garlapo, revered educator at the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo, died November 1, 2021 at the age of 78.  Davis was born in Warsaw, NY and grew up close by in the small town of Arcade.  He graduated from Colgate University in 1964 and graduated from the University at Buffalo dental school in 1968.  During dental school he met his wife, Marsha Byledbal, and they were married in 1972.  They had three children, twins Karen and William and a younger daughter Lauren.

As is frequently the case, Dr. Garlapo’s faculty at UB influenced his decision to pursue an academic career and the specialty of fixed prosthodontics.  He identified 3 individuals who were major players in this regard:  Drs. Milton Brown, George Ferguson and Dean William Feagans.  After graduation he was recruited to the faculty to teach what was then called Crown and Bridge. Two years later, in addition to his teaching responsibilities, he entered the postgraduate program in fixed prosthodontics which he completed in 1974.  In addition to his superb clinical skills Davis was a phenomenal technician and devoted many hours to not only his own lab work but to teaching others including residents, students and the school’s laboratory technicians.  He maintained mentoring relationships with prosthodontic postgraduate students throughout their formal education which blossomed into lifelong friendships.  Davis was generous with his time and would stop what he was doing to discuss patient treatment, laboratory procedures and research projects.  The “crown and bridge faculty lab” was a hive of activity many hours of the day and night seven days a week. Residents were expected to be there, and occasionally a student with chutzpah would pop in seeking Dr. Garlapo, hoping for help on “a case.” I remember one evening when I was a predoc student, sitting in the student ceramic lab next door to the faculty lab, struggling to apply porcelain to the a framework.  I wasn’t even thinking about knocking on the faculty lab door to ask for help.  And then, Dr. Garlapo walked by and asked if he could help.  He sat down next to me and demonstrated the technique.  That was how Davis was—always offering a hand.  I can remember many such instances over the years.  The atmosphere in the lab was enriching, except for his cigarette smoke.  Any student lucky enough to have a similar experience was grateful. Davis’ dedication to teaching the discipline of fixed prosthodontics was extraordinary. 

During a remarkable career that spanned 47 years, Dr. Garlapo served the dental school and the profession.  He progressed through the academic ranks and was promoted to the rank of full, tenured professor in 1982.  He administered every didactic course and clinic within the discipline and specialty of Fixed Prosthodontics including all four years of the predoctoral dental curriculum as well as the Advanced Education in Prosthodontics Program. 

Dr. Garlapo continued his teaching and research activities when he became Chair of the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics and then the Department of Restorative Dentistry which included Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics, Operative Dentistry, Biomaterials and Endodontics.  He served as president of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics in 1999-2000.  He relinquished the chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry in 2003 when his wife Marsha became ill.  She passed away not long after.

As Davis focused on his teaching commitments, he continued to receive accolades for his teaching efforts, being recognized repeatedly with awards until he retired.  Dr. Garlapo said that treating patients enriched his career, but it was mentoring students and working with his colleagues that brought him the most satisfaction.  Shortly before his retirement in 2016, he said, “The greatest love that I had as an academic dentist was seeing young professional students grow and mature, becoming competent in patient care, and then going out into the world.”

During his too short retirement, Davis continued to live in his family’s home in Amherst, NY.  He was very active in his church and devoted his personal time to family which

includes 6 grandchildren who brought him great joy, and also drew on his close friendships for emotional support.

As one of his colleagues said, “Davis left an amazing legacy, and those of us whom he taught, mentored and befriended will miss him very much.” 

Prepared by Academy Fellow,
Dr. Jane D. Brewer