University Times

Ruth S. Friedman, who directed the Pitt dental school's dental assistant and oral hygienist program from 1975 until her retirement in 1987, died Dec. 20 of brain cancer. She was 72.

Friedman graduated from Pitt's dental school in 1945 and was the only woman in her class. She opened a periodontal practice Downtown but cut back her practice to one day a week after marrying and starting a family. After returning to full-time practice, she became an instructor in Pitt's oral medicine department in 1968. Then, in 1975, she began directing the dental assistant and oral hygiene program.

Last spring, the dental school honored her with its Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Friedman also helped establish dental assistant programs at A.W. Beattie Vocational Technical School, Forbes Road Vocational Schools, Greenville Technical College and Mercyhurst College. She was active in a number of community organizations.

She is survived by her husband, William; daughters Susan Weber of Wilmerding, Sally Friedman of New York City, and Laurie Davis of Encino, Calif.; and two sisters, Beverly Robin of Pompano Beach, Fla., and Margy Hahn of Coral Gables, Fla.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the dental school's Dr. Ruth S. Friedman Scholarship Fund or a charity of the donor's choice.