Richard Buck Aubrey, 1930-2004

Abstract

Richard Buck Aubrey passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on August 19, 2004, in Dallas. He was 74 and had been diagnosed with cancer in May. “He had an undying optimism that he was going to get well and showed unbelievable courage,” said his son Tom Aubrey of Dallas. “He really stepped up to the plate and gave it all he could.” Rick was born July 15, 1930, in San Marcos, Tex. He graduated from high school in 1948 and joined the US Army, and then attended what are now Texas State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Baylor College of Dentistry. He received his dental degree in 1955 and his masters in orthodontics in 1963. After graduating from dental school and serving 2 years in the US Air Force, he returned to Dallas and practiced general dentistry for 4 years before being accepted into the first orthodontic class at Baylor in 1961. After graduation, he established a private orthodontic practice in Dallas and worked part-time in the orthodontic department for the next 38 years as a clinical associate professor. Rick loved Baylor and orthodontics, and he was an outstanding clinical orthodontist. He served as president of the following: Baylor Orthodontic Alumni Association, Charles H. Tweed Orthodontic Study Group of Texas, Texas Association of Orthodontists, and American Board of Orthodontics. He served 6 years on the American Association of Orthodontists' Council on Orthodontic Education and 5 years as consultant to the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation, and also as secretary-treasurer and director for the Dallas County Dental Society and test consultant for the Dental Assistants National Board. Baylor also loved Rick. He was the first recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Baylor Orthodontic Alumni Association. He received the Gaylord Award, the Matthews Award from Baylor, and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Faculty Appointment. Rick was a 3-time recipient of the A. P. Westfall Award for orthodontic excellence from the Charles H. Tweed Orthodontic Study Group of Texas. He also received the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists' highest honor, the Martin E. Dewey Memorial Award, which recognizes orthodontists who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the specialty, especially in education, practice, and research. Rick was active in his community. He served 4 years as a board member at his church, 6 years as a director of First Interstate Bank of North Dallas, and 3 years as a director of the Bent Tree Country Club. In 2001, he received special recognition from the mayor and city council of Dallas for his professional and civic contributions. Most important, Rick was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Tom Aubrey said he admired his father's relationship with his mother. “The greatest gift to me was the fact he truly loved my mom. I see so much stress in families. Ours was a wonderful gift,” he said. “The basis of their relationship makes a huge difference. I guess it just provided a sense of security that my family was something that could be relied upon.” Rick is survived by his wife of 49 years, Betsy Stirratt Aubrey, and sons Buck Aubrey and his wife, Carla, and their children, Rick and Jett Aubrey of Dallas; Tom Aubrey of Dallas; and Steve Aubrey of Austin.