Longtime dentist always took time to help others

Dr. Feuer enjoyed serving the Boy Scouts.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
LIBERTY -- Longtime dentist Dr. Seymour Feuer learned the value of public service early in life and never forgot the lesson.
Dr. Feuer served the community in capacities ranging from dentistry and his synagogue to the city civil service commission and the Boy Scouts.
Dr. Feuer, 81, died Thursday night at home in his sleep.
His father, Isadore Feuer, was director of the Mahoning County welfare office from 1935 until his death in 1965.
Dr. Feuer learned compassion from his father and put it to work throughout his life, said a son, Randy Feuer.
"He had a respect for welfare," said Randy Feuer. "He took care of patients when others wouldn't."
For example, Dr. Feuer was looking over some medical equipment at a deceased dentist's office in Middlefield in 1974. While there, a man came in with a dental emergency and Dr. Feuer treated him. Four more people came in, and he treated them, too.
Operated dental clinic
For the next year, Dr. Feuer operated a dental clinic three days a week until a full-time dentist came to Middlefield.
Dr. Feuer graduated from The Rayen School in 1940 and served in the Army until 1945, where he decided to become a dentist. He received his dental degree from Ohio State University in 1953 and returned to Youngstown and opened a practice on the North Side.
He served, among many other groups, as a board member or president of the Corydon Palmer Dental Society, Mahoning County Red Cross, the city civil service commission, the Mahoning County Home, Temple Emanu-El, El Emeth Congregation, the North Side Citizens' Coalition and the Boy Scouts of America.
"He thought it was his public duty," said another son, Joel Feuer.
Joel Feuer said his father was deeply involved in, and enjoyed serving, the Boy Scouts for more than 25 years. He and his brothers were in Scouts about the same time and looking forward to being with their father, Joel Feuer said.
"It was a way for us all to be together," he said.
Besides sons Randy and Joel, Feuer leaves his wife, Dorothy, a son, Brian, a daughter, Betsy, and four grandchildren.
Services will be a noon Sunday at El Emeth Cemetery, where friends may call one hour before services.
rgsmith@vindy.com