Dr. Fred R. Place, 64, Lake Wesauking, Pennsylvania, passed away Tuesday morning, June 5, 2018, at the Skilled Nursing Unit of Guthrie Towanda Memorial Hospital, Towanda, Pa
He was born Oct. 10, 1953 in Sayre, Pensylvania, a son of Fred and Florence (Satterly) Place. Fred graduated from Towanda High School Class of 1971 and then graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, being commissioned as an Artillery Officer. His active duty and National Guard/Reserve service totaled 33 years.
Throughout his service he served as the Commander of five different Army units, some artillery and some dental, and served overseas missions on 12 different occasions. For a number of years, his dental unit provided care at embassies abroad and participated in numerous humanitarian missions.
In addition, his unit participated in many Philadelphia “Stand Downs” in which dental care was provided to veterans, many homeless. Dr. Place attained the rank of Colonel and was awarded the Army’s Legion of Merit upon his retirement.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry, he was in private dental practice for almost 30 years. The vast majority of this time he practiced in Wysox and Canton and in partnership with his brother, Dr. Robert A. Place.
Dr. Fred’s dedication to patients, warm personality, and dental skill will always be remembered.
He was born Oct. 10, 1953 in Sayre, Pensylvania, a son of Fred and Florence (Satterly) Place. Fred graduated from Towanda High School Class of 1971 and then graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, being commissioned as an Artillery Officer. His active duty and National Guard/Reserve service totaled 33 years.
Throughout his service he served as the Commander of five different Army units, some artillery and some dental, and served overseas missions on 12 different occasions. For a number of years, his dental unit provided care at embassies abroad and participated in numerous humanitarian missions.
In addition, his unit participated in many Philadelphia “Stand Downs” in which dental care was provided to veterans, many homeless. Dr. Place attained the rank of Colonel and was awarded the Army’s Legion of Merit upon his retirement.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry, he was in private dental practice for almost 30 years. The vast majority of this time he practiced in Wysox and Canton and in partnership with his brother, Dr. Robert A. Place.
Dr. Fred’s dedication to patients, warm personality, and dental skill will always be remembered.
Himself an Eagle Scout, Dr. Place restarted the scouting program chartered by the First Presbyterian Church of Towanda after it had been inactive for a considerable time. He served as Cub and then Scoutmaster for Troop 6 for many years. In addition, he provided a ballfield for the Towanda Little League and always prided himself in being the “head groundskeeper.” This field has been enjoyed by probably hundreds of primarily instructional league players and their families since it was established in 2004. Fred enjoyed all sports, especially college football, with Pitt and Army being his favorite teams.
For a number of years, he was the notorious Tooth Fairy, authoring “The Pitt Newsletter.” His father once quipped that there would be hundreds of Penn State fans at his funeral to ensure that he was really dead.
Dr. Place enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, swimming and hiking at his Monroeton cabin, camping at Sunfish Pond, and traveling which he did extensively. He and his wife Diane hosted an annual pig roast at their Monroeton cabin which was enjoyed by many.
Dr. Place was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Towanda where he had served as a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the VFW, the American and Pennsylvania Dental Societies and the Valley Dental Society, for which he served as a past president.
He is survived by his son, Freddie, Spring Lake; stepsons, Mike (Mellissa) and Mark Cantellops,Towanda; step granddaughters, Katalina and Quinn Cantellops, Towanda; brother, Dr. Robert (Jody) Place; and nephews, Nick, Lake Wesauking, Zach, Syracuse, New York; and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane, on March 1, 2015; his mother, Florence; and father, Fred.
Abiding by Dr. Place’s wishes there will be no services.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be directed to a charity of one’s choice in memory of Dr. Fred R. Place.
For a number of years, he was the notorious Tooth Fairy, authoring “The Pitt Newsletter.” His father once quipped that there would be hundreds of Penn State fans at his funeral to ensure that he was really dead.
Dr. Place enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, swimming and hiking at his Monroeton cabin, camping at Sunfish Pond, and traveling which he did extensively. He and his wife Diane hosted an annual pig roast at their Monroeton cabin which was enjoyed by many.
Dr. Place was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Towanda where he had served as a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the VFW, the American and Pennsylvania Dental Societies and the Valley Dental Society, for which he served as a past president.
He is survived by his son, Freddie, Spring Lake; stepsons, Mike (Mellissa) and Mark Cantellops,Towanda; step granddaughters, Katalina and Quinn Cantellops, Towanda; brother, Dr. Robert (Jody) Place; and nephews, Nick, Lake Wesauking, Zach, Syracuse, New York; and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane, on March 1, 2015; his mother, Florence; and father, Fred.
Abiding by Dr. Place’s wishes there will be no services.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be directed to a charity of one’s choice in memory of Dr. Fred R. Place.
