CHICAGO (June 2, 2015)—The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) mourns the unexpected passing of James “Jim” G. Richeson Jr., DDS, FAGD, of Chevy Chase, Md., past president of the AGD (2002 to 2003), who died on May 30, 2015, at the age of 61.
“Jim enriched the lives of everyone he knew,” says AGD President W. Carter Brown, DMD, FAGD. “He constantly put others before himself and cared deeply for his patients and family. His positive outlook on life was infectious. Jim’s life is one that should be admired and emulated.”
Dr. Richeson graduated from the former Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1980 and opened his private practice the following year in Washington, D.C., following completion of a general practice residency at a Veterans Administration hospital in New Orleans. In addition to private practice, Dr. Richeson previously served as a clinical instructor and lecturer at his alma mater in the Department of Operative Dentistry.
Dr. Richeson was an active member of the AGD and received his Fellowship in 1986. He recently served as moderator for the AGD’s first Oral Health Symposium, which took place on April 24, 2015, at AGD Headquarters in Chicago. Previously, Dr. Richeson had served on the AGD’s first Oral Health Literacy Task Force. Dr. Richeson also served as AGD treasurer (1998 to 2000), as well as Region 5 trustee. Dr. Richeson held many other positions in the organization, including course chair for the AGD 1995 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, and member of the AGD Annual Meeting Council and AGD Awards Committee. He also served on the AGD Foundation Board of Directors.
Dr. Richeson was active in other dental organizations as well, including the American Dental Association (ADA). He served as an ADA alternate delegate from 2001 to 2012. He also served as chair of the ADA Code Maintenance Committee in 2013 and took on the role of AGD representative to that committee in 2014. Dr. Richeson served as president for the District of Columbia AGD, the District of Columbia Dental Society, and the Georgetown University Alumni Club of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
For his years of dedicated service to dentistry, Dr. Richeson received the District of Columbia Dental Society’s highest award for outstanding achievement in 2004. He also received a distinguished service award from the Georgetown Dental Alumni in 2003. He was a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
A devoted son of Mary Ann Neubeck Richeson and the late James G. Richeson, Dr. Richeson is survived by his wife, Anne “Nancy” C. Richeson, and daughter, Suzanne C. Richeson. Friends may visit the DeVol Funeral Home, 2222 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at Holy Trinity Church, 3513 N St. N.W., Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 5, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Loyola Retreat House P.O. Box 9 Faulkner, MD 20632-009
