Donald Wayne Legler's Obituary
Beloved dental educator and local pastor, Donald Wayne Legler, DDS, PhD, MDiv, MTh, died December 9, 2015 in Gainesville, FL after coping for many years with Alzheimer’s disease.
Don was born in Minneapolis, MN, the only child, to Ernest Legler and Almira Elness Legler on October 2, 1931. His childhood was spent in Cleveland, New Orleans, and Birmingham where he graduated from high school. He attended Auburn University and later entered dental school at the new University of Alabama Dental School in Birmingham. Summers were spent working for the Forest Service in Idaho, picking apples in Washington, building the Hungry Horse Dam in Montana, selling seed in the Midwest, and visiting family in Wisconsinand Minnesota. Don transferred to the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in June 1956. Upon graduation Don entered the U.S. Air Force serving as a dental officer at radar sites in Houma, LA, Aiken, SC, and Dobbins AFB in Marietta, GA achieving the rank of Major. On December 28, 1957, he married Janice Carol Cleworth in Faribault, MN.
In 1961, the Legler’s moved to Denver, where Don established a dental practice in Estes Park, CO. Don sold his practice to work on a second doctorate degree at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He received his PhD in Microbiology and Physiology in 1966. He remained at UAB, serving on the facultyfor 18 years. In 1967-68, he was awarded a Swedish medical research grant to learn germ-free animal research techniques at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. While serving as Associate Dean at UAB Dental School, Don established one of the first germ-free labs in the world.In 1980, Don left UAB to serve as Associate Dean for Research and Advanced Education at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In the fall of 1983, he was appointed Dean of the University Of Florida College Of Dentistry. The Florida Dental Association awarded him “Dentist of the Year” in 1989. During his deanship, he established extramural clinics in Jacksonville, Miami, St. Petersburg, Naples and at the rural Acorn Clinic north of Gainesville. He also led the college to increased research grants and prominence in dental education. In 1994, upon retiring from his position as Dean, Don was awarded The Professor Emeritus Medal.
Prompted by the number of failing rural churches, Don felt the call to minister to rural congregations. “Pastor Don” had the pleasure of serving Evinston United Methodist Church from 1995-2001, and Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Lake City, FL from 2001 to 2005.
During retirement, Don pursued his love of history and talent for writing. Don authored a historical fiction novel titled, “The Garden of Eden and Beyond”, and he completed his memoirs.
Don Legler was a humble man who lived his life for his Lord, his family, his friends and fellow man.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janice, four children, and eight grandchildren: Lori Christiansen(Tim) with children Lauren, Erik and Kristi; Lee Legler (Kelly) with children Cole and Lila; Catherine Barnes(Alan) with daughter, Lindy; and Christian Legler (Kelly) with daughters Amelia and Alexis.
A memorial service will be held at 2 P.M. on Monday, December 14 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville (4000 NW 53rd Ave; Gainesville, FL 32653). Don was a member of the Rotary Club of Gainesville for 32 years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in his name to the Rotary Club of Gainesville Foundation (P.O. Box 357755; Gainesville, FL 32635-7755), or to one of his church homes: Evinston United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 344; Evinston, FL 32633) or Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church (4709 SW SR 47; Lake City FL 32024).
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