Obituary
Robert Lawrence Edgerton, D.D.S., 86, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on October 16, 2018. Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Glenn K. and Marion (Smith) Edgerton on August 8, 1932, he attended the University of Wisconsin, completing his pre-dental curriculum studies in 1953. He received his D.D.S. degree from Northwestern Dental School in 1957, and remained at Northwestern for an orthodontic specialty residency, earning a Master’s Degree from the Graduate Dental School in 1959.
That same year, Dr. Edgerton opened his orthodontics office in Orlando, and has served the Central Florida community with many years of work for numerous organizations, including President of the Orange County Dental Society. He developed and implemented the first smile contest for area school children during Dental Health Week, and provided twenty years of orthodontic services to the initial Cleft Palate Team in Central Florida.
Early in his career Dr. Edgerton and several other area orthodontists formed the Gator Orthodontic Forum – a study club for participants throughout Florida to advance their technical and diagnostic skills by information sharing.
He is a member of the prestigious, invitation only Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontics and has presented numerous papers, lectures, clinics and case reports to this group of educators and practitioners. He became a Charter Director of the Foundation for Orthodontic Research and presided over the Florida Association of Orthodontists in 1975-1976. He was a consultant to the editor of the American Journal of Orthodontist and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and in 1994, served as Local Chairman for the annual session of the American Association of Orthodontists held at the Orange County Convention Center.
Additionally, Dr. Edgerton served on numerous boards, including five years on the YMCA Board of Directors, and was an original member of the Committee that brought Young Life to Central Florida. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando where he was active in the Gathering of Men ministry.
Most recently, Dr. Edgerton was the honored recipient of the 2018 Florida Association of Orthodontics Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to him by Dr. Jim Wortham of Orlando. This award reflects his dedication to his many patients in Central Florida, and his life-long enthusiasm for the field of orthodontics.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed spending time at his cattle ranch in Osceola County, and especially enjoyed fishing and hunting in Florida and throughout the country. Dr. Edgerton is a member of the Grand Slam Club, considered to be the most prestigious big game hunting club in the country.
Dr. Edgerton is survived by two daughters, Lori Lynne Babb (Stephen C.) and Sherri Chace Focarino, (Stephen B.), granddaughters Courtney Chace Babb, Lauren Elizabeth Babb and Sydney Chace Focarino, and grandson Tyler Robert Focarino. He is predeceased by his son, Ronald Glenn Edgerton. He will be greatly missed by his former patients, staff, colleagues, friends and family.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 26, 2018, at Peace United Methodist Church, 13502 Town Loop Boulevard, Orlando, 32837. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to Young Life Heart of Orlando – FL15, PO Box 2289, Winter Park, FL 32790, (877) 438-9572, or the National Wildlife Federation at www.nfw.org (800) 822-9919.
Services provided by Baldwin Brothers 407-851-1983.
Suzanne Pasko Shepherd, UK