Clinical Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine Indiana University School of Dentistry
May 30, 1964 – July 9, 2010
Passed by the IUPUI Faculty Council at their meeting on September 7, 2010.
The Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) academic community is profoundly saddened by the passing of one of its most respected and beloved colleagues. Dr. Henry Lancaster was Clinical Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, IUPUI. He served his department, school, and students with dedication and distinction. He served as a comprehensive clinic director since 2004. He was the faculty representative for the Indiana Christian Dental Association. He was a mentor to many dental students.
Henry Lancaster was born May 30, 1964 in Fayetteville, North Carolina to Linda (Greene) and Henry E. Lancaster, Sr. He was a 1986 graduate of the University of Illinois with a bachelor of science degree in biology, and a 1991 graduate of the Washington University School of Dental Medicine. He completed a general practice residency at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and he was an associate in a private general dental practice for three years. He then completed an oral medicine fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. He was a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Oral Diagnosis at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry before joining Indiana University in 1998 as Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine. He served as the Director of the IUSD Center for Oral Diagnosis and Treatment 2002-2004. In 2004 he was awarded the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award by the Indiana University School of Dentistry/Indiana Dental Association.
Professor Lancaster cherished every day he shared with his wife and, for the last 2 ½ half years with his son, Blair. Dr. Lancaster accepted with grace and fought valiantly the challenges of living with cystic fibrosis and all of the complications including lung transplantation. Professor Lancaster was a soldier for Christ in his daily life and served as a wonderful role model and inspiration to all with whom he interacted. He was a kind and generous gentle man. He was a valued and popular instructor. In 2004 he was chosen by the senior class to be their commencement speaker.
Professor Lancaster was interested in music and gave testimony and praised God with Christian music. He is survived by his wife Joanne (nee Sloane); son Blair MacKenrick (Scottish for “son of Henry”) Lancaster; mother Linda L. Daly; father Henry E. (Joann) Lancaster, Sr.; siblings, and other family members. Friends and colleagues at the IU School of Dentistry have established the Dr. Henry Lancaster Memorial Scholarship in his honor. Dr. Lancaster will be sorely missed and remembered with great admiration and fondness.
THUS, BE IT RESOLVED: that this memorial resolution be adopted by the Faculty Council of Indiana University School of Dentistry and placed in the school’s minutes and its permanent archives; that a copy of this memorial resolution be delivered to his wife.
This memorial resolution will also be placed in the minutes of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Faculty Council with a moment of silence observed in his honor.
This resolution is written on behalf of Professor Lancaster’s students, staff, and colleagues. This resolution was prepared by Susan L. Zunt, Professor of Oral Pathology.