Editor's
note: The following article is
written by Joseph F. Thompson Jr.,
assistant dean for finance and
administration, James B. Edwards College
of Dental Medicine, in memory of Gordan B.
Stine, DDS. Stine was a faculty member of
MUSC and served as special assistant to
the president, director of Dental
Continuing Education, state dental
coordinator for the South Carolina Area
Health Education Center, and founder of
the University Cultural Affairs Council.
Stine passed away
April 11.
Many of us have made a
commitment to volunteerism for the
betterment of our community and MUSC.
Because so many give their time and
talents, it is sometimes hard to single
out someone for individual contributions.
But every now and then, a person comes
along who has gone so far outside the
normal bounds that we have to stop and
take notice. Such was the case with Dr.
Gordan B. Stine. In April, Dr. Stine
passed away after a long illness.
Gordan Bernard Stine
was born in Charleston and was educated in
our public school system and personified
what was the charge of the High School of
Charleston: "Enter to learn, leave to
serve." In 1944, he graduated from the
College of Charleston with a Bachelor of
Science in chemistry. After serving in the
Marine Corps during World War II, he
earned his professional degree in
dentistry from Emory University in 1950
and returned to active duty in the Navy
for several years before settling back
home in Charleston. What followed was a
remarkable career of professional and
public service where the highest standards
were always more than met.
Dr. Gordan Stine
Dr. Stine was often
described as a true "Renaissance man." In
fact, he was a leader and achieved
distinction in many areas including
education, science, government, business,
and the arts. His exemplary
accomplishments were many, and clearly
attest to the extraordinary breadth of his
interests and selfless service to others.
The following are only some of the
highlights of the many leadership
positions he held throughout his life.
In the fields of
education and science, Dr. Stine was
instrumental in the chartering of our
state's College of Dental Medicine at
MUSC. He served as the president of the
Charleston Dental Society and the South
Carolina Dental Associations and also the
president of the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
He was a past president of the College of
Charleston Alumni Association, former vice
chairman of the College of Charleston
board of trustees and retired from the
board as a trustee emeritus. He also
served as chairman of the Clemson
University State Extension Advisory
Committee and the Charleston County
Extension Service advisory board.
In the areas of
government and business, Dr. Stine's
leadership roles included chairman of
Charleston County Council, chairman of the
Berkeley-Charleston- Dorchester Council of
Governments, chairman of the South
Carolina Council of Regional Governments,
president of the Palmetto Safety Council,
president of the Charleston Trident
Chamber of Commerce, president of the
South Carolina Downtown Development
Association and served as a member of the
board of directors of the Charleston
County Aviation Authority.
His dedication to the
arts was illustrated by his service as
president of the Charleston Symphony
Association and by working as a board
member of the Charleston Civic Ballet, the
South Carolina Art Alliance, the
Charleston Concert Association, the
Charleston Opera Company and the
Charleston Museum.
Some more examples of
Dr. Stine's outstanding community
leadership include president of the
Coastal Carolina Council of Boy Scouts,
president of the Trident United Way,
president of the Exchange Club of
Charleston, president of the Coastal
Carolina Fair Association, chairman of
Charleston Pride and chairman of the
Charleston Heart Association.
In addition, Dr. Stine's strong commitment
to his faith was demonstrated in his
having served as president of Congregation
Beth Elohim and president of the Hebrew
Benevolent Society and the Hebrew Orphan
Society.
Other community boards,
especially those involving children, which
have benefited from Dr. Stine's dedicated
service are the Trident Area Foundation,
the YWCA of Greater Charleston, the Robert
Shaw Boys' Center and the Charleston
Neighborhood Housing Services Board.
These examples of
service to others just touch the surface
of Dr. Gordan Stine's good works while he
also maintained a dental career for more
than 50 years. In 1983, after 30 years of
private practice, Dr. Stine became a
faculty member of MUSC and served as
special assistant to the president,
director of Dental Continuing Education,
state dental coordinator for the South
Carolina Area Health Education Center and
founder of the University Cultural Affairs
Council. Through his generosity Dr. Stine
established a Dental Lifelong Learning
Fund, which was given his name in 1994 as
a tribute to his energy and efforts on
behalf of continuing education in the
college.
Dr. Stine's
appreciation from those he served as well
as from his peers is clearly documented by
the many honors and awards he received.
The list is long but a few of the most
notable include College of Charleston
Alumnus of the Year, Exchange Club Man of
the Year, South Carolina Academy of
Dentists' Man of the Year, Boy Scouts of
America Silver Beaver Award, Shofar Award
and the Gordan B. Stine Scout Camp Health
Center, which was named in his honor. Dr.
Stine was also awarded the State of South
Carolina's highest honor, the Order of the
Palmetto, by three different governors.
Gordan Stine's
dedication to serving others was only
surmounted by his devotion to his family.
He was married to Barbara Berlinsky Stine
for more than 60 years and they raised two
sons, Steven and Robert.
Gordan Stine was indeed
a man of many facets. His life embodied
all the attributes that we strive to
instill in our graduates by becoming
leaders and outstanding citizens of their
respective communities. The measure of his
success is calculated in the leadership
qualities that he inspired in the lives he
touched.
Friday, Oct.
12, 2012
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