Dr. Gerald J. Ziebert

 

The Academy of Prosthodontics mourns the loss of Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Ziebert. Dr. Gerald John Ziebert was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 1, 1933. He received his predental preparation at Marquette University from 1950-1952 and then received his DDS from the School of Dentistry in 1956. Upon graduation he served in the United States Navy Dental Corps from 1956 to 1958. In 1959 he entered full time private practice in Milwaukee, and continued that until 1971.

In 1971, Dr. Ziebert earned a Certificate in Advanced Prosthodontics and a Masters of Science degree from the Marquette University School of Dentistry. In 1974, he became a Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics and a Fellow, American College of Prosthodontists. Following his residency, he entered full-time teaching at his alma mater and continued there until 2017. During his tenure, he was a Program Director, Advanced Education Program in Prosthetic Dentistry, Chair, Fixed Prosthodontics, Chair, Prosthodontics, and Chair, Restorative Sciences. Simultaneously, he worked one day per week in private practice until his retirement. Dr. Ziebert spent over 55 years at Marquette, ensuring undergraduates and postgraduates were rigorously trained to the profession’s highest standards. He retired at the age of 82.

Dr. Ziebert was a member of the American College of Prosthodontists, Academy of Prosthodontics, Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics as well as other national, state and local dental organizations. Dr. Ziebert was President of the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association in 1976. He was also President of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics in 1997 and became the inaugural recipient of the Academy’s Garver-Staffanou Award given for outstanding graduate program directorship. He received the Professional Achievement Award of the Wisconsin Dental Association in 2004. Dr. Ziebert is the author or co author of over eighty scientific papers and abstracts in the scientific literature. He was a member of the Accreditation Review Committee and a site visitor for the Commission on Dental Accreditation for many years.

Dr. Ziebert received the Marquette University School of Dentistry’s Distinguished Alumnus in Dentistry Award in 2018. Upon receiving that honor, he was quoted as saying “I’ve never had a day where I did not look forward to coming to the Dental School,” and “Being in the academic environment is very stimulating. My career as a dentist and educator has provided me with so much satisfaction.”

He is survived by his loving wife Joan, four children, and six grandchildren.

On a personal note, I commenced my career as a dental educator with Dr. Ziebert as my mentor. I learned so much from him by watching and listening and appreciate the many gifts he shared with me. While I was wrangling with the administration about my initial contract at Marquette, I asked him if he thought I should push for an academic rank of Associate Professor. His response was, “the salary will not be any different, but if you come in as an Assistant Professor, at least you will get two pay raises on your way to Professor”. I thought that made a lot of sense. I enjoyed our professional relationship very much and one of my greatest thrills was to debate him about occlusion and gnathology, can you imagine the fireworks, and we were on the same team! It was awe-inspiring to watch former undergraduate students of the dental school “pop-in” to grad pros when they were in the neighborhood and share their thanks and appreciation for everything Dr. Ziebert did for them. I watched this interchange transpire on several occasions. Dr. Ziebert was a good friend and a legend in prosthetic dentistry.

Written by Dr. Geoffrey Thompson