Arthur Klafter DDS

He was born on July 31st, 1922 to Mildred and Larry Klafter in the back room of his father’s shoe store, and was raised in Bellmore, New York. He was a World War II veteran who graduated from Cornell University at the age of 18 and from the University of Pennsylvania’s dental school at the age of 21 before enlisting in the army. During his service, he traveled on hospital ships around the European Theater and later ran the dental clinic at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn. After the war, he spent 70 years practicing dentistry throughout New York City, and also served as a professor on the faculty of the New York University College of Dentistry for more than 20 years.

Beyond his work, Arthur was known for his lively personality, his humor, his incredible love of life, but above all his compassion and love for the people around him. He lived every one of his 99 years to the absolute fullest, and spent every minute he could trying to find ways to make those around him happy.

He is survived by his wife Ann, his children Peggy, Nicholas, and David, and by his grandchildren Rebecca, Jacqueline, Mark, Eric, Kerrigan, and James.