Dr. Vincent Kokich Tribute




Known as a family man and teacher, he practiced orthodontics in Tacoma, Washington, for 35 years and taught at the University of Washington, School of Orthodontics. Kokich served as president of the American Board of Orthodontics and the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. When he retired from his practice, he became the editor of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marilyn, four children and seven grandchildren. Services were held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Tacoma on July 30.

The influential leader is also survived by many colleagues, friends and mentees who are paying tribute to the great doctor they all greatly admired. Here are some of their comments. For more, search "Vince Kokich Sr." on the Orthotown.com message boards.

Townie Tributes

"He was an icon."
- Vraj

"He was a great asset to our profession. I have learned so much from him, as I'm sure many of us have."
- Benzwire

"He was such a great practitioner... one who truly cared about ethical, honest treatment for the benefit of the patient... I always admired that he was a champion for quality and the advancement of our profession."
- Vacuefactor

"He was a great communicator and mediator. He brought all of dentistry together in a truly non-biased and evidence-based way.

"The man was a true dental/orthodontic altruist. Everything he's written is available for free. There's no one else out there like that. "I wish he knew how much better he's made my orthodontic life (and my patients' lives). There are two things I've learned from him which have honestly changed and shaped my entire career. His championing of the open eruption for palatally displaced canines and conservatism with teeth deemed hopeless. He was the first person to have displayed the power of reparative cementum in orthodontic root resorption cases to me."
- ahayes

"His lectures were so relatable and he was so knowledgeable."
- applekor

"I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Kokich several times in my career. He 'is' orthodontics in my mind."
- Str8wire

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