SEPTEMBER 3, 1998-vol30n2: Obituary

VOLUME 30, NUMBER 2 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1998

Obituary

Michael Meenaghan, 62, professor emeritus, leading dental researcher
Michael A. Meenaghan, professor emeritus in the School of Dental Medicine and a dental researcher whose work over two decades significantly contributed to the use and safety of implants in the human body, died Aug. 31 in his home in Amherst following a lengthy illness. He was 62.

While many of Meenaghan's studies focused on the design of dental implants and the biocom-patibility of various materials with oral tissue, he also was involved in evaluating techniques for "super-cleaning" implants for use in the human body and the long-term effects of umbilical-cord vein grafts.

A graduate of American International College in Springfield, Mass., Meenaghan earned his dental degree and a doctoral degree in anatomical sciences from UB.

He joined the UB dental faculty in 1971 in the former Department of Oral Pathology, and retired last year as professor in the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences.

During his career at UB, he served as director of the dental school's Electron Microscope Laboratories and professor and chair of the former Department of Stomatology and Interdisciplinary Sciences. From 1971-89, he served as director of UB's Surface Science Center and from 1991 until his retirement was as an active member of the Council on International Studies and Programs.

A former chair of the dental school's cultural exchange committee and a member of the university-wide Provost's Council on International Studies and Programs, Meenaghan promoted exchange programs with more than 10 foreign dental schools.

A lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army Reserves, 338th General Hospital, Niagara Falls, he retired from the reserves in 1996.

Meenaghan is survived by his wife, Barbara; four sons, John and Michael of Williamsville; Kevin of Ft. Mill, S.C., and Joseph of Lockport; a sister, Kathleen of Springfield, Mass., and six grandchildren.