Support the
Dr. Sam and Helen Weinstein Memorial Fund
Sam Weinstein was born in 1917 and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He earned his
D.D.S. in 1941 at Creighton University and volunteered when the U.S.
entered WWII, receiving an officer's commission in the Navy Dental
Corps. After the war and one year of private practice in general
dentistry in Omaha, Dr. Weinstein applied and was accepted into the
Northwestern University graduate program where he graduated in 1948.
Thereafter, Dr. Weinstein had a private practice in orthodontics for
five years in Omaha. In 1954, Dr. Weinstein was recruited to develop
and found the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry's
post-graduate Orthodontics Program.
After directing the
Nebraska orthodontic program for 17 years, Dr. Weinstein was recruited
to direct the new University of Connecticut orthodontic program where
he spent the rest of his academic career. He retired in 1981, but
remained to complete a research grant. In 1999, he and Helen moved to
Goodyear, Arizona, to enjoy retirement. At that time, Dr. Weinstein
sent all of his orthodontic textbooks and academic materials to the
UNMC orthodontic program, a tangible indication of his enduring loyalty
to the Nebraska program he founded.
An innovator, Dr.
Weinstein's work with UNL engineer Dr. Donald Haack gained
international recognition in the field of orthodontic biomechanics. Dr.
Weinstein was also instrumental in bringing in guest lecturers from
other universities and establishing a lecturer exchange program with
Northwestern.
Dr. Weinstein's life was full of intelligence,
humor, generosity, kindness and humility. His students have said that
his positive, encouraging teaching methods fostered in them lifelong
commitments to helping others.
The Dr. Sam and Helen
Weinstein Memorial Fund offers a way for his legacy to live on. It will
be permanently endowed at the University of Nebraska Foundation, with
proceeds used exclusively for the post-graduate orthodontics program at
the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. The
fund also presents the opportunity to create the first endowed faculty
professorship or chair in the University of Nebraska orthodontics
program, a fitting tribute to its founding director.
Contributions can be made in many ways:
- Outright donation of cash, stock or property
- A pledge payable over time
- A bequest from an estate or trust
- Donation of life insurance assets
- A life-income producing gift vehicle