Thomas J. Kiebach

Kiebach, Dr. Thomas J.Dr. Thomas J. Kiebach died unexpectedly on November 10, 2014 at 1:15 am in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of 67. Tom is survived by his mother, Rita Moran Kiebach of Indianapolis, Indiana; two sons, Robert J. "Bo" Kiebach and wife Ashley Lalande Kiebach of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Thomas Christian "Kit" Kiebach of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; one grandson, Henry "Hank" Thomas Kiebach; his fiancé, Beth Haynes of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; siblings, John "Jack" Kiebach, of Belford, New Jersey, Donna Phelps of El Ranchero, California, Susan Short of Indianapolis, Indiana, Mike Kiebach of Indianapolis, Indiana; his uncle and dearest friend in life, Thomas J. "TJ" Moran of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Jack J. Kiebach of Indianapolis, Indiana, his brother, David Henry Kiebach of Indianapolis, Indiana, and his sister, Laurie Emmens of Gainesville, Florida. Dr. Kiebach was born on June 24, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois to Jack J. Kiebach and Rita Moran Kiebach.  He attended Xavier University of Ohio on an athletic, football scholarship and earned his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences.  He then graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry, where he participated in Honors Programs and received the Mosby Scholarship Award.  Dr. Kiebach became certified in Pediatric Dentistry in 1975 after completing a Hospital Residency Program at James Whitcomb-Riley Hospital for Children and became certified in Orthodontics in 1978 at Indiana University School of Dentistry. After 16 years of college and graduate studies, Dr. Kiebach moved to Baton Rouge and became Louisiana's first and only dentist with degrees in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics and he remained one of our area's only dual-trained specialists - one of three in the state. Teaching was always a passion and a part of Dr. Kiebach's curriculum vitae.  He held clinical teaching positions at Indiana University and Louisiana State University and he continued to lecture to numerous graduate and residency programs, professional groups and organizations throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Kiebach and the University of West Virginia were jointly involved with research and have designed modifications to an appliance, which maximizes treatment effects and comfort for very early Age Appropriate Class III patients (4 year olds with big lower jaws).  Since 1980, he continued his education through the Dallas-based Alexander Discipline International, an organization dedicated to the research and development of evidence-based orthodontic techniques and continuing education of orthodontists.  Additionally, he was a member of the Atlanta-based (g)nathos, an organization providing continuing education to Pediatric Dentists seeking increased levels of sophisticated treatment modalities.  Dr. Kiebach was a member of several professional organizations including: American Association of Orthodontists, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Southern Society Orthodontics, Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Louisiana Dental Association, Orthodontic Education and Research Foundation, and he was an active and founding member of the Woman's Hospital Cleft Palate Team.  Dr. Kiebach was an active supporter of numerous local organizations and focused much of his effort on Dreams Come True of Louisiana, an organization whose mission is to provide the resources necessary for granting the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses.  Most recently, Dr. Kiebach co-authored two articles published in the June 2014 issue of Seminars in Orthodontics, based on his work on posterior crossbites in children and on the stability of early class II orthopedic treatment.  To be published with one of his greatest friends and esteemed colleagues, Dr. Ronald Bell, was one of his most cherished professional accomplishments.  A wake will be held on Thursday, November 13th from 5:00-8:00pm at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.  A public Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Cleo Milano on Friday, November 14th at 10:00am at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 and visitation will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church prior to the Mass beginning at 8:30am.  Entombment will be at St. George Catholic Mausoleum.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Tom's life.  Pallbearers will be: Thomas J. "TJ" Moran, Robert J. "Bo" Kiebach, Thomas Christian "Kit" Kiebach, John "Jack" Kiebach, Mike Kiebach, Ruffin Rodrigue, Dr. William Tuttle, Tim Wade, and Burke Moran.  Honorary Pallbearers will be: Robert "Boob" Lyle, Dr. Steve Jacobs, Dr. Rick Blake, Dr. Phil Miller, Dr. Bill Keaty, Dr. Gail Sanchez, Walter Monsour, Dr. Walter Atkinson, Dr. Grady Hornsby, Dr. Ronnie, Landry, and Dr. Bill Michael.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Emerge Center, which empowers children, adults and their families facing communication, behavior and developmental challenges, to reach their greatest potential and to effectively communicate and interact (7784 Innovation Park Drive, Baton Rouge, LA), Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, whose mission is to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer through expert treatment, compassionate care, early detection, research and education (4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809), or a charity of your choice.