Dental society honors 5 men for 50 years of membership

BOARDMAN

The Corydon Palmer Society honored five 50-year members at its annual installation ceremony on Jan. 19 at Mr. Anthony’s.

Recognized for 50 years of membership were Drs. James Altiere Jr., Peter Gallo, Ralph E. Snelson, Robert Vandrak and David Wargelin.

A Youngstown native, Altiere graduated from Youngstown College and Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry. He earned his master’s in orthodontics from Case Western Reserve University.

In 1966, Altiere opened a practice in Wedgewood Medical Center in Austintown. He retired in 1994.

Snelson is a Distinguished Dentist of the Ohio Dental Association, the highest award conferred by the statewide organization.

He is a graduate of DePauw University and the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He is a fellow of the American and International colleges of dentists.

Always active in the community, he serves on the Trumbull County United Way Board and as chairman of the Ohio Dental Association Foundation. Snelson is a former president of the Ohio Dental Association and of the Corydon Palmer Dental Society.

Vandrak, a native of Pennsylvania, received a bachelor of arts degree from St. Mary’s College in Ferndale, Conn., and bachelor of science and DMD degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a board-certified pediatric dentist who spent many of his practice years in the military.

His military service began with the U.S. Army’s Dental Corps in 1961, and extended through 1982, when he retired with the rank of colonel. He holds the Meritorious Service Medal with the First Oak Leaf Cluster and the Legion of Merit for outstanding service at the Fort Leavenworth, Kan., dental clinic.

Wargelin practiced for 45 years on W. Market Street in Warren and continues to serve inmates at the Lake Erie Correctional Institute in Conneaut.

He is a graduate of Suomi College and the University of Michigan, and he earned his DDS degree from the Western Reserve University School of Dentistry before serving two years of active duty with the U.S. Navy.

In addition to the new president, Dr. Mark L. Billy, others installed were Dr. Marybeth Shaffer, president-elect; Dr. Donald Brunetti, vice-president; Dr. Thomas Gabriel, treasurer; and Dr. Joseph Baytosh, secretary.