William S. Brandhorst, D.D.S., longtime orthodontist and a professor at the former School of Dental Medicine, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 87.
He was born in Nashville, Ill., and grew up in Webster Groves, Mo.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in geology from Harvard University in 1939, Brandhorst went on to earn a dental degree from Washington University School of Dental Medicine in 1943.
He served three years in the Army Dental Corps before earning a master’s degree in orthodontics from the University of Michigan in 1948.
Brandhorst came home to St. Louis that year to practice with his father, Otto Brandhorst, D.D.S. — who was also the former dean of the School of Dental Medicine — and to teach at Washington University, where he became a full professor.
A past president of the dental school’s alumni association, Brandhorst was honored as a distinguished alumnus in 1989.
Brandhorst was an active member of the St. Louis Cleft Palate Team and served as vice president of the American Cleft Palate Association.
He was also a past president of the Greater St. Louis Dental Society, the Missouri Dental Association and the Midwest Society of Orthodontics as well as a fellow of the American College of Dentists.
He opened his own practice in St. Louis County and developed a strong, removable orthodontic appliance and wrote a book titled The Removable Appliance, which was published in both English and Spanish.
Brandhorst also offered his dental expertise to research on jawbones and teeth unearthed at the Center for American Archaeology in Kampsville, Ill., where he served on the board of directors.
Throughout his life, Brandhorst held a deep passion for nature, especially birds, butterflies and moths.
Brandhorst served on the board of the St. Louis Audubon Society for eight years.
He led butterfly walks and donated a large collection of mounted butterflies to the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Emilie; sons, Bruce, Robert and Mark; a sister, Helen Krumboltz; and two grandsons.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 514 E. Argonne Drive, Kirkwood, MO 63122; St. Louis Audubon Society, P.O. Box 22027, St. Louis, MO 63122; or the Dental Health Theater, 727 First St., St. Louis, MO 63102.