Sherwood Wolfson

SHERWOOD H. WOLFSON

Iowa City

Sherwood H. Wolfson, 88, died Monday, May 23, 2016, at Oaknoll Retirement Community. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 27, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City. A visitation will be held two hours before the service at the Kirkwood Room, 515 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City. Burial will be held in Keokuk National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Sara and Sherwood Educational Fund for Hancher, in care of the University of Iowa Foundation; the Oaknoll Foundation; or Iowa City Hospice.

He was born Oct. 9, 1927, in Mount Clemens, Mich., to Solomon and Doris (Kotney) Wolfson. He married Sara Crawford in Wilmington, Del., on Nov. 25, 1957.

After the death of his father in 1939, the family moved to Monticello, N.Y., where he graduated from high school. He received his B.S. degree in 1953 from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., and the D.D.S. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1957. He received his oral surgery certificate in 1970 from the University of Texas, after completing his residency in Houston, Texas.

Sherwood Wolfson began his dental career as a staff dentist at the VA Medical Center in Wilmington, Del., from 1958 to 1966. He served as supervisor of regional dental programs for the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C., for one year in 1967. After completing his residency in Houston, Texas, he joined the VA Medical Center in Iowa City in 1971 as chief of the dental service, retiring from that position in 1996. He was associate chief of staff for education at the VA from 1974 to 1986. He served as acting chief of staff for the VA Medical Center in Iowa City for one year, 1996-97.

He was drafted at the end of his freshman year at Westminster and served with the U.S. Army in Korea during World War II. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserves and subsequently served during the Korean conflict and the Berlin Crisis. He retired as full colonel and commander of the 481st Maxillofacial Surgical unit, U.S. Army Reserve in Cedar Rapids.

He was appointed to the faculty in oral surgery in the College of Dentistry in 1971 where he taught undergraduate, graduate and dental residents in hospital dentistry. He served on numerous collegiate and university committees including the Faculty Senate and Faculty Council and the Patent Committee which he chaired.

He was a diplomat in The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, a fellow in the American Society of Anesthesia and a fellow in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He served as president of the Midwest Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. His service on committees for the department, college and university was extensive. He also served on numerous committees for the VA.

He was very committed to providing dental care for veterans, especially elderly veterans. He continued to provide this care with part-time appointments for many years after his retirement.

Education was a high priority for him. He encouraged employees to continue their education even when it meant they would seek other positions. He and his wife provided financial support for several nieces and nephews to attend and graduate from college.

Sherwood and Sara were avid supporters of the performing arts. They often attended every event at Hancher and went on many of the trips sponsored by Hancher. He looked forward to enjoying Hancher again. His commitment to education and the performing arts led to the establishment of the Sara and Sherwood Wolfson Educational Fund for Hancher.

Sherwood is survived by his wife, Sara Crawford Wolfson; and nephews, Barry Zukose and Steven (Ilene) Zukose and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Beverly.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.