Dr. Francis V. Panno

 

The Academy of Prosthodontics mourns the loss of Dr. Francis (Frank) Panno. Dr. Francis V. Panno was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 15th, 1930. Frank passed in April 2023, just shy of his 93rd birthday. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University where he matriculated from 1948 to 1952. He subsequently earned is DDS from Marquette in 1956. Upon graduation he served 3 years of active duty in the United States Navy and left active service as a Lieutenant Commander and an additional 10 years in the Naval Reserves. Among his billets of duty were Japan and the Philippines, serving as a member of General Krulak's Staff, Third Marine Division as well Seattle, the submarine base in Groton, Connecticut and Bainbridge, Maryland. Upon leaving active duty, he opened a private practice in the New York City suburb of Mamaroneck.

In 1968 he returned to formal studies in Advanced Education in Prosthodontics at NYU College of Dentistry and earned his Certificate in Prosthodontics in 1972. An avid sailor, Frank managed to work out an arrangement with his program Director, Dr. Ira Klein, whereby he was allowed summers off to race his sailboat on Long Island Sound. In 1986, he became a Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics and a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists. Frank began his academic career also in 1968 as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Removable Prosthodontics and eventually entered academics full time in 1976 and became Chair of Fixed Prosthodontics at NYU in 1979 and a full Professor with tenure in 1982. and When departments merged, Frank took on the title of the Chair of the Division of Restorative & Prosthodontic Sciences in 1991. He was committed to assuring that the discipline of Prosthodontics remained prominent in the division naming. This Division included the Departments of Prosthodontics, Biomaterials, Implant Dentistry, Operative Dentistry, and Comprehensive Care. He was appointed the Ira E. Klein Professor of Prosthodontics in 1998 and had the honor of being elected as a Senator of the New York University Senate and Council of Faculties. He rose to the position of Dean for Clinical Affairs in 2001, a position he maintained until he retired in 2008.

After retirement Frank joined Academy Fellows Jonathan Ferencz and Lawrence Brecht in the practice of prosthodontics one day a week. His day in the office was looked on with great anticipation by the entire staff, though we were often running an hour late on those days as we listened with joy to the stories and advice Frank would share as we sat around and simply enjoyed his company. Frank was responsible for serving as the Elder Statesman and source of sound guidance for an entire generation of the New York prosthodontic community.

Frank was a Fellow and Past-president of the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics, a Fellow of the Academy of Prosthodontics, a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists, as well as a Diplomat, American Board of Prosthodontics. In addition, he was a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, the Northeastern Gnathological Society, American Prosthodontic Society, American Academy of Crown and Bridge Prosthodontics, New York Academy of Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard International Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society as well as numerous other dental and prosthodontic organizations and academies.

Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Dr. Panno was the recipient of numerous awards. In 2002 he received The Distinguished Alumnus award from Marquette University and the Medal of Honor from New York’s Ninth District Dental Society. He also received the following awards: Meritorious Service to the Profession of Dentistry Award from the American College of Dentists, Distinguished Professor Award from the Nation Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, International Circuit Courses Lecture Award from the American Prosthodontic Society, two letters of Commendation from the Chief of Naval Operations and General Krulack of the 3rd Marine Division. As a Commander in the U.S. Navy he was a recipient of the Francis Conway Memorial Trophy and Chief of Naval Air Training Award for the United States Naval Air Station Seattle.

Frank loved to sail the waters of Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean as a member of The Larchmont Yacht Club and served as the Vice Commodore of the Orienta Yacht Club in Mamaroneck, NY. He also was an accomplished artist, having won several awards for his seascape paintings. In his later years, he enjoyed cycling and taking long walks in the woods with his dog around his country home in Waccabuc, NY. Frank is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joan M. Panno, Clinical Professor (Retired) – Department of Periodontics, NYUCD and their 4 children, Dr. David F. Panno, Gregory J. Panno, Corey V. Panno, and Ms. Susan Panno Shepard and eleven grandchildren.

Requiesce in pace servus bonus et fidelis, Francis.

Written by Dr. Lawrence E. Brecht