Frank Leonard Herbert

Frank Leonard Herbert, D.D.S., F.I.C.D., F.A.C.D., Professor emeritus and nationally recognized dentist, entered into eternal rest on July 11, 2016 at the age of 89. Dr. Herbert was born in New Orleans and was an alumnus of Jesuit High School and Loyola University School of Dentistry. After graduating as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, he interned for a year at Charity Hospital of Louisiana before serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Dental Service from 1949 to 1954 at Pensacola, FL and the island of Trinidad while earning the National Defense Medal for his service during the Korean Conflict.

His distinguished career in dentistry includes a 31-year private practice in New Orleans and 18 years as a fulltime dental educator at the LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans. As a practicing pedodontist, his support of and participation in activities to promote children’s dental health was exceptional, and he authored the first video program on child abuse prepared for teaching diagnostic procedures to dental professionals. He served on the Executive Council of the American Society of Dentistry for Children (ASDC) from 1981-1987, was ASDC president from 1984 to 1985, and was recognized as the 1990 ASDC Great for his many years of leadership in ASDC and the ASDC Foundation. Recognition from other professional memberships included the American Academy of Pedodontics, the Louisiana Society of Dentistry for Children, the American College of Dentists, the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration, the American Dental Association, the Academy of Operative Dentistry, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. After retiring from LSU, he authored “From the Wolfpack to the Tiger Den”, the story of the first 25 years of the LSU School of Dentistry.

His father, Francis Leonard Herbert, mother, Dorothy Klein Herbert, and brother Stephen Joseph Herbert, precede Frank in death. Although he had a long and accomplished dental career, he valued his family more than his career and stated that he had “the privilege of having a wonderful wife and family” in his LSU retirement speech. He loved taking his family on summer camping trips across the U.S. and enjoyed fishing, relaxing, and spending time with family at his beloved camp at Sportsman’s Lake in Lakeshore, Mississippi. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Rita Mae Winter Herbert, seven children, Stephanie Kenning (Walter); Susan Tucker (Danny); Edward Herbert (Mona); Frank Herbert, Jr. (Ellen); Renee Boxx (Drew); Rob Herbert (Teri); Martin Herbert, 19 grandchildren, Lauren Beasley; Jeremy Tucker; Abigail Kenning; Robyn Long; Scott Tucker; Will Boxx; Brendan Kenning; Gavin Kenning; Quinn Kenning; Mary Alexis Boxx; Granston Boxx; Carlton Herbert; Michael Herbert; Kyle Herbert; Trent Herbert; Zachary Herbert; Anna Grace Boxx; 12 great grandchildren, Ellis Beasley; Oliver Beasley; Daphne Beasley; Scarlett Beasley; Lilly Tucker; Bly Tucker; Finn Tucker; Caleb Boxx; Tripp Boxx; Hadley Long; Sidney Kenning; Everly Boxx; Brody Schriefer; Taryn Herbert.

Visitation will be held on Saturday July 16, 2016 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon at ST. MATTHEW THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH at 10021 Jefferson Highway in River Ridge, LA, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories.