IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

Frank M. Lucatorto

Professor of Dentistry, Emeritus

Los Angeles

1922–2001

The School of Dentistry and the dental profession lost an academic pioneer and tireless clinician when Dr. Frank M. Lucatorto passed away on December 16, 2001 at the age of 79. His colleagues will always remember him as a man who was devoted to his family, his profession, his church and his students.

 

Frank Lucatorto was born in 1922 in Marigliano Italy; he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1944. Frank served as a combat infantryman in the European Theater during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart among other commendations. He also taught United States History to G.I.’s in Germany. After graduating from Loyola University School of Dentistry in Chicago in 1954, he taught oral medicine, oral pathology and microbiology at Loyola from 1958 to 1964. Frank came to UCLA in 1965 as a lecturer, and one year later was appointed associate clinical professor of oral pathology and medicine. He was promoted to clinical professor in 1972 and reached Step VI shortly before he retired. He was awarded clinical professor emeritus status in 1991. Frank was an OKU member and a pioneer in oral medicine. He was president of the American Academy of Oral Medicine in 1983. Frank published extensively, with many articles appearing in the Journal of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology.

 

Frank may be best known for his care and devotion to AIDS patients. He took on the challenge of the emerging disease, AIDS, for the school when the potential risks to health care professionals were not completely understood. He quickly became our resident expert and treated every patient with compassion and dignity. Frank was one of the first clinicians to use sclerosing agents on Kaposi’s Sarcoma lesions. He was a remarkable teacher who led by example. For his efforts, he received a national commendation from the United States Assistant Secretary of Health in 1989.

 

Frank served the school and his community in many capacities and always with distinction. He had particular fondness for the Italian-American community and he was recognized several times for his work. Frank had a remarkable career, in some ways two remarkable careers – first, as a pioneer in oral medicine and oral diagnosis with our newly founded school, and second, as a clinical AIDS expert. In 1991, Frank received the Robert B. Wolcott Award for Distinguished Service to the Dental Profession. As a tribute to him, the School of Dentistry's Alumni Association named its annual golf tournament, held in conjunction with Alumni Weekend, in his honor.

 

Frank is survived by his wife, Delores, and four children and eight grandchildren. All of his colleagues, family and friends miss him dearly.

 

Robert Krasny

Robert Lindemann