Page created by: The Katz & Greenspan Families

WILLIAM R KATZ DDS

William Richard Katz was born September 18, 1944 in Newark, NJ and passed peacefully on October 27, 2017 at Hacienda del Sol, Casa de la Luz in Tucson, AZ at the age of 73. He lived with his wife and family in Port Jefferson Station and Belle Terre, NY, before moving to Lake Swannanoa, (his treasured lake house) NJ in 2006. On September 1, 2017, after several years as a snowbird, he became a permanent resident of SaddleBrooke, AZ.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Barbara (aka Babs), daughter Audra Greenspan and her husband Drew, son Lonne and his wife Paula, by his sister Linda Katz Fishbaine and niece, Emily, and his father, Larry (Mabel deceased). Grandchildren: Sarah, Abby, Zoe, and Noah were fortunate to share their beloved Ogo's (Oh Great One) passions and activities.

Bill had many passions in his life: family, friends, dentistry, teaching, fishing, boating, skiing, golf, scuba diving, birding, travel, bingo, bartending, photography, and eating. Throughout their childhood, his children remember meeting him for Thursday dinner at any fast food restaurant in town before he would return to his dental office for evening hours. He loved pizza, ice cream, sushi, and bar food; making a point to consume it regularly with his family and friends. He often shared his love for fishing by having contests at the lake house whenever the grandchildren were there. They would stand by the dock and fish for hours on end. His boat, Buddies, also provided many hours of family fun, and brought Bill both relaxation and a connection to the sea.

Bill attended Lynbrook High School, Bucknell University and NYU School of Dentistry. After a brief stint of working for Dr. Moe Kirschner, he opened his own private dental practice in Port Jefferson Station. He remained a sole practitioner for 37 years tenderly caring for his patients. While still in practice, he volunteered as a part-time faculty member at Stony Brook University Dental School where he discovered his true vocation, teaching. Once he sold the practice, he was appointed as a faculty member of NYU School of Dentistry, where he rose to the position of Director of Clinical Practice. Being surrounded by students, eager to learn from him, gave him special purpose. He adopted his students as family and remained in contact with them. He practiced and taught in accordance with the hippocratic oath, which strongly guided his professional and personal life.

Bill's personality, ethics, and conduct made him a charismatic leader. With a small group of fellow dentists, the Suffolk County Dental Society was founded. He served as its President and as an officer for many years. He was active in the Northern Brookhaven Dental Study group where he also served as President. He was Chairman of the Suffolk County Dental PAC. His accomplishments were too numerous to recount, but they were diverse and he was recognized with awards for his outstanding abilities and contributions in all aspects of his life.

During the last 6 years of his life, Bill demonstrated enormous courage and determination as he fought Parkinson's Disease. Bill will be remembered for his many accomplishments and the way he lived life to the fullest, especially for his great sense of humor and love for food and adventure.

His final services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill's honor:

Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

The family would like to thank everyone who touched Bill's life, as he was blessed to have many people love him.