Mehlman, Edwin S.

Barrington

Dr. Edwin S. Mehlman was born on November 30, 1935, in Hartford, CT, the son of Sol A. and Rose (Slitt) Mehlman. He grew up in Springfield, MA, and graduated from Classical High School. He went on to attend Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Following dental school, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He then continued his education at the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry, where he received a Certificate in Endodontics (root canal therapy).

In 1965, he opened his practice limited to Endodontics in Providence, RI, becoming the first Endodontist in the state. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of nearly 45 years, Lesley (Lunin) Mehlman; his brother, Michael; and his grandson, Caleb.

Dr. Mehlman often said that because both his profession and the Rhode Island community had been so good to him, he felt an obligation to give back—and he lived by that principle. He served as President of Temple Habonim in Barrington, Area Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, and President of the Bureau of Jewish Education of RI. He also served as President of the Lifelong Learning Collaborative.

From 1965 to 2013, Dr. Mehlman taught at various dental schools in Boston and in the General Practice Residency Program at Rhode Island Hospital’s Samuels-Sinclair Dental Center. He was elected to three honorary dental societies: the International College of Dentists (ICD), the American College of Dentists (ACD), and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA). He served the Rhode Island Chapter of the ICD as Deputy Regent.

He was also President of the Rhode Island Dental Association (RIDA), chaired the Rhode Island Dental Political Action Committee, led RIDA’s Council on Legislation for 15 years, and served for many years as President of the Rhode Island Association of Endodontists. After attending an American Dental Association (ADA) conference, he proposed to the RIDA Board the creation of a Donated Dental Services program, which provides free dental care to needy and disabled Rhode Island residents who do not qualify for Medicaid. To date, this initiative and its volunteer dentists have provided over $1 million in free dental care.

Dr. Mehlman also served on the Board of the American Association of Endodontists, as First Vice President of the ADA, and as First District Trustee on the ADA Board, representing the six New England states.

Over the course of his career, Ed received numerous honors and awards, including:

• The Harvard-Forsyth Faculty Award for outstanding contributions to dental education
• Citations from both the RI and CT chapters of the PFA for contributions to the art and science of dentistry
• The ADA Award for Increasing Access to Comprehensive Dental Care for Special Population Groups
• The James W. Etherington Award—the highest honor given by the six New England states
• The Humanitarian Award from the Indian Dental Association, USA
• The District 1 ICD Distinguished Fellow Award
• The District 1 ACD Volunteer of the Year Award
• The Boston University School of Dental Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award
• The A. James Kershaw Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Community, the highest award of the RIDA

He also published scholarly articles in several dental journals and contributed a chapter to a book on dental implants.

Outside of dentistry, Ed served on the Barrington, RI, Building Committee for the renovation of the high school. After retiring in 2010 at the age of 74, he became known in the local community as an accomplished bridge player and a frequent contributor of Letters to the Editor in the Providence Journal.

He is survived by his three sons: Jeffrey and his wife, Lynne (Bono), of Lowell, MA; Brian and his wife, Andrea (Berger), of Wilmington, NC; and Erik and his wife, Kelly (Braun), of Durham, NC. He is also survived by his dear friend and companion, Fran Lourie; five grandchildren: Jacob (and his wife, Isabel Watts), Sarah (and her partner, Jay Bettis), Julia (and her partner, Jon Findlay), Kyle (and his partner, Isis Rivera), and Eleanor; and three great-grandchildren: Saul, Astrid, and Louis.

As much as Ed gave to his community, his greatest love was his family. To have known him was to experience something far greater than any curriculum or career could teach. His deep caring, generosity, humor, and optimism earned him the admiration of many and the unwavering love of his children and grandchildren.

Holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Passover, were particularly meaningful to Ed. They reflected the values he held most dear: family, love, and laughter, always shared with good food and warm connection.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Habonim, Barrington, RI. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to:

• Lesley Lunin Mehlman Religious School Library Fund, c/o Temple Habonim, 165 New Meadow Road, Barrington, RI 02806
• Lifelong Learning Collaborative, P.O. Box 603126, Providence, RI 02906
• Lesley Mehlman Carpe Diem Scholarship (for the top Latin student), East Greenwich High School, 300 Avenger Drive, East Greenwich, RI 02818