University Times

Sydney S. Spatz, former head of Pitt's oral surgery department, died Dec. 21 at his home in Point Breeze. He was 72.

Spatz practiced dentistry in Oakland and served on the Pitt faculty from 1948 until his 1990 retirement, except for two years when he was a U.S. Army oral surgeon. From 1983 until 1990, he was assistant dean of clinical affairs at the dental school.

He also was chief of Montefiore Hospital's dentistry department and Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and of oral surgery at Magee Womens Hospital. In addition, Spatz served on the staffs of Eye and Ear and Children's hospitals and was a consultant to Veterans Administration hospitals.

Spatz earned his dental degree from Pitt in 1945 and in 1948 completed specialty training here in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; three daughters, Hilary Ann Spatz of Point Breeze; Pamela Spatz of South Dartmouth, Mass., and Sandra Spatz of Chicago; his brother, Edward Leo Spatz of Boston, and six grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Temple Sinai, Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15217.