Dr. Willard L. Flint

Flint
Willard Lewis
 
90 years old, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 4, 2019.  He is mourned by his wife of 63 years, Norma Louise (Jurso) Flint; his five children, Eric Flint, Amy Schlemmer (Patrick), David Flint (Kim), Roy Flint (Michelle), and Susan Schoonover (Steve); his eight grandchildren, Alison Cardone (Frank), Emily Schlemmer (Ralph Robinson), Maxwell Schlemmer, Craig Flint, Kelsey Flint, Jennifer Schoonover, Sam Schoonover, and Bennett Schoonover; and, his great-granddaughter, Penelope Cardone.  Willard will also be missed by his sister, Darrell Anderson Duffield of Rochester Hills, MI; his nephew, Mark Anderson (Shaza) of Houston, TX; and his niece, Carolyn Wells (Jim) of Rochester Hills, MI.
 
Willard was born in Pittsburgh on March 21, 1928 to Dr. Wilson Revis Flint and Elizabeth Lewis Flint.  A lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, he graduated from Wilkinsburg High School in 1946 and attended Allegheny College where he received his B.S. in Biology in 1949.  Willard went on to the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine where he earned his DDS in 1953.
 
After graduating from dental school, Willard joined the Air Force, achieved the rank of Captain and served two years as a dentist.  He married Norma in June,1955 and they moved to Seattle, Washington where Willard earned a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics from the University of Washington Dental School in 1957.
 
Willard and Norma returned to Pittsburgh in 1957 where he joined the family orthodontic practice established in the Jenkins Arcade by his grandfather David Willard Flint.  He worked alongside his father (Wilson Flint), his uncle (Ted Flint) and his brother-in-law (Gil Payne).  In addition to his 42 years of private practice, Willard served as the orthodontist at the Children’s Institute for many years and also became a clinical professor of orthodontics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine where he taught for over 30 years.  Willard was beloved by his residents as a consummate professional who provided them with the clinical skills necessary to pursue successful careers.  During his tenure, he educated students from six continents and maintained close relationships with many well after they graduated.
 
In 1958, Willard and Norma purchased a home in Monroeville where they raised their five kids and herds of dogs (Alfie!).  Their home remains the center of the Flint family universe to this day.
 
Willard’s love of music spanned many genres, but he was moved most by opera.  He and Norma shared this passion and weekends found their home filled with the performances of the New York Met much to the chagrin of their teenage children.  Norma and Willard also shared a love of gardening and their ever-expanding plot created a bounty of corn and other vegetables that made Sunday dinners a prized invitation for family and friends.
 
While Willard was an avid golfer during his younger years and continued to play into his 80s, his greatest passion during his adult life was his photography.  He was a prize-winning amateur photographer whose pursuit of beautiful pictures took him from Nova Scotia, across the plains of the Midwest, to all of the wonderful national parks that dot the landscape of the West.  Willard took thousands of photographs during his adult life and developed them in his darkroom.  Willard’s photographs are cherished gifts for those lucky enough to receive one. They also adorn the walls of dental and orthodontic offices near and far.
 
Willard’s family is deeply grateful to the administration and staff of Juniper Village in Forest Hills for their kindness, cheerfulness, and the exceptional care they gave to Willard these past few years.  They will never be forgotten.
 
In lieu of flowers, the Flint family respectfully requests that donations be made to either of the following or the charity of your choice:
 
In Memory of Willard L. Flint
Dr. Willard Flint Student Resource Fund for Orthodontic Continuing Education
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Attention: Paul Casey
3501 Terrace St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
 
or
 
In Memory of Willard L. Flint
Associate Appreciation Fund
Juniper Village at Forest Hills
107 Fall Run Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
 
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Jobe Funeral Home, 445 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA 15146 (412-856-4747).  Visitation will be Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.  A funeral service will be held at Jobe Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 11, followed by interment at Homewood Cemetery in Squirrel Hill. www.jobefuneralhome.com

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