John H. McNutt

Dr. John H. McNutt died June 16, 2010 after a long illness. He practiced orthodontics in Austin, Texas from 1957 until his retirement. During those years, he straightened the teeth and brightened the smiles of countless Austin youth.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Kathleen, whom he met in the first grade in Bismarck, North Dakota. He is also survived by four children: John Jr. (Scotty) and his wife Joan; Carolyn, and her husband Lawrence Olsen; Dr. Jim McNutt of Dallas, and Peter McNutt. He leaves behind eight grandchildren, who knew him as their “Poppy”.

John was born Oct. 1, 1923 to Ona and Howard McNutt in Onalaska, Wisconsin. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota where he was a Phi Beta Kappa. He later completed graduate work in Dentistry and Orthodontics. He served on active duty in the Army and the Air Force for 16 years and was chief of military dental service in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

John was active in a number of professional organizations, and in 1972 he served as president of the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists. He was president of the Austin District Dental Society and led efforts to integrate that organization in the 1960s. He volunteered countless hours at the free emergency dental clinic in Austin. In 2006, he received recognition from the Texas Dental Association for 50 years of service. He was the recipient of the Dewey Award in 1983 for his outstanding contributions in the field of orthodontics.

John was an active member of University Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years, where he served as a deacon and an elder, and taught the college Sunday school class. He was involved in his children’s PTA organizations, once serving as the PTA president at 3 different schools. John was a board member of the Kiwanis Club, on the Board of the United Way of Austin, the Board of Trustees of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and was a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America.

A memorial service will be held at University Presbyterian Church on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon. The family requests that donations be made to University Presbyterian Church, Odyssey Hospice, or a charity of choice.