The IUSD community grieves the sudden passing of devoted alumnus Dr. Lloyd J. Hagedorn. (DDS’66, Perio’68)
“Dr. Hagedorn devoted time, energy and effort, as well as financial resources, to lead us to successfully raising almost $9 million dollars for the James J. Fritts DDS, Clinical Care Center,” said Dean Carol Anne Murdoch-Kinch. “He made lasting contributions to the dental profession on every level during his lifetime. His warm smile and kind heart will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Dr. John N. Williams, dean emeritus, worked closely with Dr. Hagedorn during fundraising for the Fritts Clinical Center. He shared these thoughts about the generous alumnus who became his friend.
“I met Dr. Lloyd Hagedorn in the first year following my arrival at the IU School of Dentistry as the ‘new dean’ in summer of 2011. From my past experience, I knew him through the American Dental Association but not all that well. I sensed he was very highly regarded for his work and was actively involved in state and national dental leadership. He impressed me as a tremendous role model one could follow.
“A trip that same summer took John Hoffman, assistant dean for development at the dental school, and me to visit with Lloyd and his wife Jan at the lake. The purpose of our visit was to seek Lloyd’s willingness to serve on a building steering committee, which we were forming to raise money to build a new dental building – a project that had been discussed for several decades but never initiated. After a lovely lunch at a lakeside café, I asked Lloyd about not only serving on the steering committee, but also to head up the campaign by serving as chair. At that point we had an idea and nothing else – no blueprints, drawings, or cost estimates. I was looking for champions and IU dental alumni who could embrace this ambiguity, yet could get excited about the journey before us to bring folks together for the ultimate benefit of enhancing dental education in Indiana with modern clinical facilities.
“Lloyd was very polite and open to hearing me out. He told me that he would think about what I had suggested and get back in touch with me in a few days. John and I departed with a sense of cautious optimism that Lloyd was interested. Twenty minutes down the road, however, my cellphone rang. It was Lloyd calling to tell me with excitement in his voice that he would gladly accept my invitation to chair the new building steering committee.
“I was so impressed with Lloyd’s gentle and insightful nature, always helping us focus on the end goal, while having some fun along the way. The naming of the Dr. Lloyd and Jan Hagedorn Main Street corridor is both tangible and symbolic as this corridor links the past to the future.
“Dr. Hagedorn was proud of his family and proud of our profession. He dedicated his life in full measure to seeing that both would grow and flourish to stand as a testament of his grace, foresight and dedication. Well done, good and faithful servant, Lloyd J. Hagedorn. Future generations of dental school students will benefit from your foresight and dedicated service.”
Dr. Hagedorn's obituary is available via the Divine Mercy Funeral Home.