Van Zile, Wilbur (Bill), Nelson, 1904-2009

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Wilbur Van Zile was born on August 24, 1904 in New Jersey and at an early age traveled with his family across the United States, settling in California. Van Zile always had an interest in short wave radio and dentistry, keeping an active on-the-air radio status and updated licenses and excelling in dentistry while improving methods for maxillofacial surgery.

After earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1928 and completing his undergraduate work from the University of Southern California College of Dentistry, Van Zile completed his graduate work at the University of Minnesota's Mayo Foundation. After a few years of private practice, he applied to the Navy Dental Corps and was one of nine candidates selected. During this time, he also published many articles appearing in the Journal of Oral Surgery.

During World War II, Van Zile served as an administrator of dental affairs during the South Pacific Theater of Operation (Pacific War of 1941-1945). From 1950-1959, he was Chief of Dental Services and Oral Surgeon at various Naval Hospitals and he was instrumental in starting the graduate residency program for Oral Surgery at the United States Naval Hospital in Oakland. During this time Van Zile continually strived to improve methods for oral surgery, devising a root canal technique for anterior teeth which resulted in improved healing.

Van Zile then served as Professor and Chairman in the Department of Oral Surgery at the University of Oregon Dental School (the predecessor to OHSU School of Dentistry) from 1959 to 1969. While working at the University of Oregon, Van Zile initiated a graduate residency program for Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. After retiring from teaching, he returned to private practice until 1979 when he retired from dentistry altogether.

Wilbur Van Zile belonged to many professional organizations, including Phi Kappa Phi (an International Scholastic Fraternity), the American Dental Association, the American Society of Oral Surgeons, the American Association of Hospital Dental Chiefs (Regional Vice President), the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Diplomat), the American College of Dentists (Fellow), the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (Honorary Member), and American Association of Dental Anesthesiologists.

Van Zile was married to Ruth Harrison. Their correspondence throughout the 1930s and 1940s gives an insightful look into Ruth's life and the lives of people before and during World War II. Van Zile met Ruth in his senior year at the University of Southern California; they were married for seventy years before her death in 1998; Wilbur died in 2009 at the age of 104.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Guide to the Wilbur Nelson Van Zile Papers, 1900-2004 Oregon Health and Science University Historical Collections and Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Abel, John R., President, American Dental Association person
correspondedWith Alexander, James T., Governor, Guam, 1938-1940 person
correspondedWith Alexander, J. T., Commandant, US Naval Station, Guam person
correspondedWith Andersen, W. A., Commanding Officer, 1955 person
correspondedWith Anderson, George W., Admiral, USN, Chief of Naval Operations person
associatedWith Andrews, Adolphus, Chief of Bureau, Bureau of Navigation person
associatedWith Angle, Edward H., DDS, circa 1898, August Dental Cosmos 1898 (Submitted) person
correspondedWith Armstrong, E. B., Commandant, Twelfth Naval District person
associatedWith Babcock, Wayne, Doctor, circa 1909, transverse osteotomy person
associatedWith Bach, L. E., Captain, (MC), USN, Commanding -Acting, 1959 person
correspondedWith Bagwell, C. D. T. person
associatedWith Balfour, Donald C., M. D., Director, Mayo Foundation person
associatedWith Barcinas, Jesus, Commissioner, February 21, 1944, Guam person
associatedWith Barcinas, Juan C., 1944, Merizo, Guam person
associatedWith Barns, RL, Van Zile Acquaintance person
associatedWith Bartlett, Thomas A., 1969, Chancellor, Oregon State System of Higher Education person
associatedWith Bauernschmidt, George W., Lieutenant (SC), USN person
associatedWith Baya, Rosa, 1944, Merizo, Guam person
correspondedWith Beatty, Mame B., Registrar of Vital Statistics, 1939 person
associatedWith Bennett, James S., April 11, 1963, Secretary, Component Chapter, Omicron Kappa Upsilon person
associatedWith Black, M. I., Commandant, Eleventh Naval District person
associatedWith Blair, V. P., Doctor, December 19, 1897, First surgical malocclusion procedure (submitted in July 1898 Cosmos) person
associatedWith Blauchard, George S., President, Retired Officers Association (U. S.) person
associatedWith Borden, Emma, Ruth Van Zile's Mother person
associatedWith Bowles, F. B., Lieutenant (jg), (SC), USNR person
correspondedWith Bradley, B. E., Captain, MC, USN, Commanding Officer, 1952-1953 person
associatedWith Brandon, Georgia J., Notary Public, Riverside County, California, June 3, 1946 person
associatedWith Brown, N. M., Lieutenant (jg) SCW, USNR person
associatedWith Bullier, M. G., Col. CNG. Assistant person
associatedWith Burchuer, Robert, April 11, 1963, President, Component Chapter, Omicron Kappa Upsilon person
associatedWith Burgess, J. A., Commander, South Pacific person
associatedWith Burstein, Jeff, October 10, 2001, Co-Resident with Kevin Edward Lew person
associatedWith Butler, Ignacio, 1944, Agana, Guam; store owner person
correspondedWith Campbell, Colin, Twelfth Navel District person
associatedWith Carr, C. W., Commandent, US Naval Hospital, Guam person
associatedWith Carson, D. B., Commissioner of Navigation, January 16, 1925- person
associatedWith Chamberlain, E. T., Commissioner of Navigation, November 26, 1920- person
associatedWith Chambers, W., Captain (MC), USN person
correspondedWith Chandler, Alfred W., Rear Admiral, (DC), USN person
associatedWith Chandler, W. D., Jr., Captain, United States Navy, April 24, 1939, Domain of the Golden Dragon person
associatedWith Chandler, W. D., Jr, Commanding Officer, USS Chaumont person
correspondedWith Charm, William J., Lieutenant Commander, (DC), USN, May 26, 1943- person
associatedWith Cherry, James Harvey, 1927, Witness to Marriage person
correspondedWith Clifton, H. T., Registrar, June 14, 1923 person
associatedWith Clinton, Jack, DMD person
associatedWith Cochum, Kenneth, 1918, Wilbur Van Zile's Classmate person
correspondedWith Cokely, H. J., Commanding Officer, 1956 person
associatedWith Cook, S. S., Commanding Officer, Navy person
associatedWith Craig, Charles W., April 11, 1963, Secretary, Supreme Chapter, Omicron Kappa Upsilon person
correspondedWith Curran, J. H., Chief of Naval Personnel person
associatedWith Dancer, Leon, Lieutenant (SC) USN person
correspondedWith David, Robert S., Captain (DC), USN, January 5, 1944, Van Zile's Correspondent person
associatedWith Davies, Robert C., CWO, (HC), USN, 1952-1953 person
associatedWith Davis, Robert S., Captain (DC) USN, Navy person
associatedWith Dick, Howard, Van Zile's Acquaintance person
associatedWith Dillard, Robert, Major, January 14, 1944, Battle of Cape Gloucester person
associatedWith Dillon, J. F., Supervisor of Radio, January 16, 1925- person
associatedWith Dodson, M., 1969, President, Oregon State Board of Higher Education person
correspondedWith Drybread, W. L., Commandant, Ninth Naval District person
correspondedWith DuBose, L. T., Chief of Naval Personnel person
associatedWith Duncan, R. E., Navy person
associatedWith Edgar, HB, Van Zile Acquaintance person
associatedWith Erwin, M. C., Commanding Officer, Navy person
associatedWith Espinoza, Antonio, Van Zile Acquaintance person
correspondedWith Fairfield, A. P., Acting Chief of Bureau, Bureau of Navigation person
associatedWith Farrel, W. H., Commandant, Eleventh Naval District person
correspondedWith Fenner, E. B., Commandant, Thirteenth Naval District person
associatedWith Ferguson, Norman, Manager/Superintendent, 1923-1924 person
associatedWith Ford, Lewis E, DDS, FACD, 1924-1927 person
associatedWith Garcia, Joe E., Van Zile Acquaintance person
associatedWith Garretson, James Edward, 1828-1895 person
correspondedWith Garrison, Richard, 1969, student person
associatedWith Gearing, H. C., Commanding Officer, Navy person
correspondedWith Gertiser, P., Lieutenant (jg), SC, USN person
associatedWith Giammusso, Anthony P., Lieutenant, U. S. N. (DC), 1952-1953 person
associatedWith Giles, W. J., Chief of Staff, Thirteenth Naval District person
correspondedWith Gillilan, C. H., Lieutenant Commander (SC) USN person
correspondedWith Gordon, J. N. C., Navy person
correspondedWith Gross, Herman A., U. S. Naval Hospital person
associatedWith Guerrero, Francisco, 1944, Chamorro, Guam Native, Bilingual person
associatedWith Guiterrez, Zacharias, 1944, Guam person
associatedWith Guthrie, W. E., December 30, 1947, Acquaintance of Wilbur Van Zile person
correspondedWith Haas, W. S., Commanding Officer, USS Beaver, Pearl Harbor person
associatedWith Haldane, Andy, January 14, 1944, Battle of Cape Gloucester person
associatedWith Hallick, Lesley M., 1969, Oregon Health & Science University Board Member person
associatedWith Hamilton, Stephen, Colonel, Army Regimental Commander, 1944, Dillon, South Carolina; Guam person
associatedWith Handel, Herbert, 1927, Baptist Minister person
associatedWith Harding, H. S., Medical Officer, July 19, 1940, U. S. Naval Hospital, Guam person
associatedWith Harriman, W. A., Secretary of Commerce, circa 1948- person
associatedWith Harrison, James B., Ruth Van Zile's Father person
correspondedWith Hart, S. D., President, Board of Medical Examiners person
associatedWith Harvey, H. E., Captain, (DC), USN, 1939, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery person
correspondedWith Hasselman, G. H., Commander, USN, Commander of Troops, Navy person
associatedWith Hays, Ray W., Brigadier General, Adjutant General person
associatedWith Healy, A., Commander South Pacific person
associatedWith Hepburn, A. J., Commandant, Twelfth Naval District person
associatedWith Hilliard, J. C., USS Beaver, Pearl Harbor person
associatedWith Hogan, B. W., Rear Admiral, (MC), Surgeon General, USN, 1955 person
associatedWith Holloway, J. L., 1955, Navy person
associatedWith Hoover, Herbert, Secretary of Commerce, January 12, 1923- person
correspondedWith Huber, Vernon, Commandant, Eleventh Naval District person
correspondedWith Hughes, D. A., Commanding Officer, USS Beaver, Pearl Harbor person
associatedWith Hullihen, S. P., Doctor, circa 1849, January American Journal of Dental Science 1849 (Submitted) person
correspondedWith Hutchinson, H. R. person
associatedWith Hydeman, Barbara Louis, b. 1937 person
associatedWith Hydeman, Earl T., Lieutenant (j. g.), Van Zile's Acquaintance person
correspondedWith Hydeman, Mrs, Van Zile's Acquaintance person
correspondedWith Iverson, Louis, Lieutenant Commander (MC), Medical Officer, 1937- person
associatedWith Jaboulay, Mathieu, circa 1898, Innovative dental procedures (ie-bilateral condylectomy) person
associatedWith Jacobson, A. E., CDR, S, USNR person
correspondedWith Jacobs, Randall, Chief of Naval Personnel person
associatedWith James, W. F., Rear Admiral (MC) USN, District Medical Officer, 1956 person
associatedWith Jenkins, J. O., Commandant, Fourteenth Naval District, Pearl Harbor person
correspondedWith Jensen, H. L., Navy person
associatedWith Jensen, Kenneth R., Doctor, circa 1960, worked with Van Zile person
associatedWith Johnson, G. W., Commandant, US Naval Station, Guam person
associatedWith Johnson, Mac R., 1944, news reporter, Guam person
correspondedWith Jones, Arthur, May 22, 1914, Van Zile Acquaintance person
associatedWith Jones, E. M., October 22, 1919, Van Zile Acquaintance, soldier person
associatedWith Jones, T. E., Head Reservation Section person
associatedWith Jupp, S. D., Captain, USN, May 27, 1940, US Naval Station, Guam person
associatedWith Kalmbach, K. H., Lieutenant Commander, USNR person
associatedWith Kennaday, J. M., Administrative Commanding Officer person
associatedWith Kennedy, John F. person
correspondedWith Kenney, E. C., Rear Admiral, MC, USN, Surgeon General of the Navy person
correspondedWith Kessing, O. O., Commanding Officer, USS Chaumont person
associatedWith Kingsland, Lawrence C., United States Commissioner of Patents, February 24, 1948- person
associatedWith Kirk, Edward C., DDS, ScD, circa 1903, April 1903 Dental Cosmos (Editor) person
associatedWith Knox, Albert, Captain, DC, USN, Division of Dentistry person
correspondedWith Knox, Albert, Captain, (DC), USN, Navy person
correspondedWith Koch, R. A., Commander, Submarine Squaron Four person
associatedWith Kohler, Peter, M. D., Dr. person
associatedWith Korth, Fred, Secretary of the Navy person
correspondedWith Kruger, Gustav O., Professor of Oral Surgery, 1969, School of Dentistry, Georgetown University, Washington, DC person
associatedWith Leahy, William D. (William Daniel), 1875-1959 person
correspondedWith Lee, A. A., Lieutenant Commander (SC), USNR person
associatedWith Lee, James R., Chief of Naval Personnel, 1959 person
correspondedWith Leffler, C. D., Commanding Officer, US Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor person
correspondedWith Lesney, Theodore A., Lieutenant Commander, (DC), USN, May 26, 1943- person
correspondedWith Lewis, H. K., Commanding Officer, Navy person
correspondedWith Lewis, Yvonne, Student, Dr. Blackham person
associatedWith Lew, Kevin Edward, October 10, 2001 person
associatedWith Locke, P. G., Lieutenant (SC) USN person
correspondedWith Logan, C. L., Registrar of Vital Statistics person
associatedWith Lopuszynski, J. P., Lieutenant (jg), SC, USNR, 1955, Navy person
associatedWith Lucas, C. A., Commandant, Eleventh Naval District person
correspondedWith Luce, R. W., Commandant, Eleventh Naval District person
correspondedWith Lukens, C. DeW., circa 1899, February 1899 International Dental Journal (Correspondence) person
correspondedWith Lyon, David W., Jr, Lieutenant Commander, USN, President, Medical Corps, Board of Medical Examiners person
correspondedWith Lyon, Leonard S., circa 1945, Van Zile's Peer person
associatedWith Malone, R. W., Rear Admiral (DC) United States Navy, 1956, Assistant Chief for Dentistry and Chief, Dental Division person
associatedWith Manar, LeRay Jr., Executive Vice President, Retired Officers Association (US) person
correspondedWith Mare, A. L., Commander Naval Base, Fiji person
associatedWith Martinez, Pedro, 1944, Guam, merchant, 50 years old person
correspondedWith Martin, Macy G., Lieutenant (DC) USN, 1938- person
correspondedWith Martin, M. G., Commanding Officer, 1949, US Dental Clinic, Guam person
correspondedWith Matthews, Francis P., Secretary of the Navy person
associatedWith McCall, Tom, Governor person
associatedWith McDermid, A, Van Zile Acquaintance person
associatedWith McDonald, John B., Notary Public, Los Angeles, County, California, November 26, 1920- person
correspondedWith McHugh, D. J., Lieutenant (SC), USNR person
associatedWith McMillan, George, Captain, United States Navy, Governor of Guam, 1944- person
associatedWith McMillin, G. J., Commandant, US Naval Station, Guam person
correspondedWith McNamara, Robert, Secretary of Defense person
associatedWith McPhee, Gordon W., Pharmacist's Mate, Second Class, U. S. Naval Reserve, June 3, 1946 person
associatedWith Mewhinney, L. S., Bureau of Navigation person
correspondedWith Miller, Charles R., Lieutenant, DC_V(S), USNR, May 26, 1943, Mayo Foundation person
correspondedWith Miller, G. C., Administrative Commanding Officer person
correspondedWith Mitchell, L. D., Jr., June 26, 1944, Van Zile's Correspondent person
correspondedWith Morgan, J. S., Lieutenant, USN person
associatedWith Myers, Clay, Oregon Secretary of State person
associatedWith Neal, G. F., Commanding Officer, Navy person
associatedWith Newton, J. H., Navy person
correspondedWith Nielson, J. L., Commander South Pacific person
associatedWith Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), Fleet Admiral, September 1945, Japanese Surrender, USS Missouri person
associatedWith Nygren, R. A., Commanding Officer, 1956 person
associatedWith O'Leary, Jane, Deputy, 1939 person
associatedWith Ottolengui, Rodrigues, MDS, circa 1903, June 1903 Dental Cosmos person
correspondedWith Packard, H. V., Navy person
correspondedWith Pearson, J. E., May 22, 1914, Van Zile Acquaintance person
associatedWith Pearson, Toured with Van Zile Family person
correspondedWith Peckenpaugh, N. L., Commanding Officer, USN, 1959 person
associatedWith Pedro, Santos, 1944, Guam person
associatedWith Plater, J. R., Captain (DC) USNR, 1955 person
associatedWith Poliard, J. E., Lieutenant, USNR, Records Division person
correspondedWith Pollard, L. K., Commander, Submarine Squadron Four person
associatedWith Potter, L. E., Doctor, Plastic Surgeon, 1952-1953 person
associatedWith Radford, A. W., Commanding Officer, US Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington person
associatedWith Ransdell, Robert C., Commander, (MC), USNR, June 1, 1943, Editor, U. S. Naval Medical Bulletin person
associatedWith Raymond, Frederick R., Major, T. C., Army Transportation Officer person
associatedWith Redfield, William C., Secretary of Commerce, November 26, 1920- person
correspondedWith Redman, John R., Commandmant, Navy person
correspondedWith Riggs, C. E., Surgeon General, USN, 1932 person
correspondedWith Ringe, June, Acquaintance of Wilbur Van Zile person
correspondedWith Ringe, Truxton, Acquaintance of Wilbur Van Zile person
correspondedWith Risser, F. B., Lieutenant (jg) (SC) USN, Thirteenth Naval District person
correspondedWith Robins, Harvey E., Lieutenant Commander, USN, President, Medical Corps, Supervisory Examining Boardc person
correspondedWith Robottom, P. K., Thirteenth Naval District person
associatedWith Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, President, January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945, FDR person
correspondedWith Root, James I., Captain (DC), USN, January 4, 1944, Van Zile's Correspondent person
correspondedWith Rose, D. W., Captain (SC) USN, Disbursing Officer person
associatedWith Ryan, Daniel W., Rear Admiral (DC) USN, Assistant Chief for Dentistry and Chief, Denal Division, Navy person
associatedWith Sablan, Joaquin, Reverend, 1944, Protestant Pastor, Guam, Irene's father person
associatedWith Salas, Jesus, 1944, Tae Cemetery, Guam person
associatedWith Saunders, SA, Van Zile Acquaintance person
associatedWith Schaller, R. G., Commanding Officer, Navy person
associatedWith Schantz, C. W., Rear Admiral (DC) United States Navy, Assistant Chief for Dentistry and Chief, Dental Division person
associatedWith Schlack, Carl A., Lieutenant (j. g.) (DC), USN, 1939, Case Report person
correspondedWith Schwartz, W. H. person
correspondedWith Shafroth, J. F., Deputy Commander South Pacific person
associatedWith Shepherd, Lemuel, Brigadier General, circa 1944, Cape Gloucester Operation, Guam person
associatedWith Sherman, Frederick C., Commandent, Eleventh Naval District person
correspondedWith Shoemaker, Lisle, February 21, circa 1944, Reporter person
correspondedWith Shoup, David M., General, US Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps person
associatedWith Skupa, Arthur J., April 11, 1963, President, Supreme Chapter, Omicron Kappa Upsilon person
correspondedWith Smith, F. A., Commanding Officer, USS Argonaut, Pearl Harbor person
associatedWith Smith, S. E., Lieutenant Commander (SC) USN person
associatedWith Spaulding, John W., DDS, 1979, Secretary, Alumni Association, University of Southern California School of Dentistry person
associatedWith Spencer, Murlin, January 14, circa 1944, Staff Writer, Associated Press person
associatedWith Stadtler, S. B., USS Cuyama, San Pedro, California person
correspondedWith Stassen, H. E., Commander South Pacific person
associatedWith Stepper, Glen, November 1975, Van Zile's Photographer person
correspondedWith Suits, W. J., Commander, 1949, Naval Operating Basem Marianas person
associatedWith Swanson, Claude, Secretary of the Navy person
associatedWith Tajalle, Thomas Tajalle, circa 1944, Guam, Chmoraro, 32 year old person
associatedWith Talbot, Eugene S., MD, DDS, circa 1898, October International Dental Journal 1898 (Submitted) person
correspondedWith Taylor, E. B., Bureau of Navigation person
associatedWith Terlaje, Miguel, 1944, Tae Cemetery, Guam person
correspondedWith Thimes, Joseph A., Lieutenant, (DC), USN, May 26, 1943, Mayo Foundation person
correspondedWith Thomas, Lloyd W., Lieutenant Commander, (DC), USN, May 26, 1943- person
correspondedWith Touton, F. C., 1924, Psychological Director, College of Dentistry, University of Southern California person
associatedWith Traxler, Fred, CPC, USN, Navy person
associatedWith Truesdale, M. D., Commander South Pacific person
correspondedWith Trumbull, Robert, 1944, News reporter, Guam person
associatedWith Turner, Carol I., Rear Admiral (DC) Senior Health Care Executive, United States Navy person
associatedWith Untalan, MB, Van Zile Acquaintance person
correspondedWith Urban, Kenneth L., Lieutenant (jg) (DC), USN, 1938, Wilbur Van Zile's relief person
associatedWith Van Zile, Florence, Wilbur Van Zile's Mother person
correspondedWith Van Zile, Ruth Marian, 1908-1998 person
associatedWith Van Zile, Silas Frederick, Wilbur Van Zile's Father person
correspondedWith Van Zile, Wilbur (Bill) Nelson, 1904-2009 person
associatedWith Waddell, Allen, circa 1960, worked with Van Zile person
associatedWith Walker, Robert V., DDS, Professor, Chairman, 1969, Division of Oral Surgery, UT person
correspondedWith Wallace, Leslie M., Lieutenant, (DC), USN, May 26, 1943, Mayo Foundation person
associatedWith Walt, Lewis, Lieutenant Colonel, circa 1944, Walt's Ridge, Guam person
correspondedWith Washburn, Isabel, ca 1939, Van Zile's Acquaintance person
correspondedWith Washburn, Paul, ca 1939, Van Zile's Acquaintance person
associatedWith Weber, Jack, January 14, 1944, Battle of Cape Gloucester person
correspondedWith Weintraub, P. L., Jr, Ensign, (SC), USN, USS Beaver, Pearl Harbor person
associatedWith Wells, Erskine, January 14, 1944, Battle of Cape Gloucester person
associatedWith Wen Zell, A. G., President, Board of Medical Examiners person
correspondedWith West, Roger, 1967, student person
associatedWith Whipple, James W., DDS, circa 1898, July 1898 Dental Cosmo (Submitted) person
correspondedWith White, Paul G., Commander (DC) USN, 1932 person
associatedWith Willcutts, M. D., Navy person
correspondedWith Williams, Lucian C., President, Supervisory Examining Board person
correspondedWith Wilson, T. D., Commander, Naval Bases person
correspondedWith Wiltse, L. J., Commandant, USN, May 27, 1940, US Naval Station, Guam person
correspondedWith Wimberly, C. O. person
associatedWith Wompat, Francisco, December 22, 1942, Pigot Cemetery, Guam person
correspondedWith Wylly, Thomas S., Commander (SC) USNR person
correspondedWith Young, H. G., Wilbur Van Zile's Commanding Officer person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Acromegaly
Occupation
Dentistry
Activity

Person

Birth 1904-08-24

Death 2009-02-09

Male

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