American Academy of Gold Foil Operators

Distinguished Member Award, Dr Allan G Osborn

I am honored to present the 2006 AAGFO Distinguished Award to Dr Allan Osborn. I see an individual who epitomizes intelligence, resourcefulness, enthusiasm, patience, modesty, loyalty, warmth, kindness… but enough about Allan's wife Hazel, let's get on with the award.

Allan was born in Mount Vernon, New York, while his father, a pathologist, was taking his postgraduate training at Columbia University. The family moved across the Atlantic to Derby, England, when he was three, and he received his early education at the Manor School Mickleover and the Repton Preparatory School before attending Epsom College, then the Derby Technical College (it is obvious from his constantly changing educational institutions that Allan has great difficulty focusing on anything). I would continue with this brief history of Allan's life but, since he is so old, I'll move ahead to his dental years. Dr Osborn enrolled in the dental program at Sheffield University in 1952, receiving his BDS degree in 1960 (he wasn't slow, it was a six year curriculum). After another year in postgraduate Orthodontics and Oral Surgery, he moved to Canada in 1962. Unable to find a job, Allan spent the next two years traveling extensively in the northern regions of Canada, including four months aboard the icebreaker C.D. Howe, performing medical survey and supply.

Allan's real professional development began in 1967 when he took the Ferrier two-week gold foil course in Edmonton under the mentorship of Dr Gerry Stibbs. This led to an invitation in 1971 to attend the annual meeting of the Associated Ferrier Study Clubs in Seattle. After this, Allan's fate and professional career were sealed.

Dr Osborn was both the founder and mentor of the Winnipeg Ferrier Society for more than 20 years and was responsible in 1976 and 1981 for the direction and instruction of the two week Ferrier Gold Foil Course. On the first occasion, he worked with Dr Bruce Smith, our great founder, and on the second, with Dr Norman Ferguson. The Ferrier Society is currently reactivated as a cast gold study club and member of the Tucker Academy, and the study club continues to thrive. Allan also taught gold procedures at the University of Manitoba with Dr George Brass.

Allan is a member of the Canadian and Manitoba Dental Associations, has served as President of AAGFO and has been editor of the Academy newsletter for the past 24 years. Most recently, he served as President of the Canadian Academy of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics. He has also been a member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry since 1984 and has mentored multiple continuing education courses on cast gold, gold foil and porcelain inlays.

Allan has also found time for a myriad of activities outside of dentistry. He is an excellent athlete and was an avid rugby player until age 42, after which time he became a referee. He feels this may have been a mistake, because now his sympathies lie with the officials rather than the players. He also holds a first degree Black Belt in Shaolin Temple Gung-fu and is an excellent marksman, so it is wise to always be polite to him. In addition, Allan is a gourmet cook, specializing in either French or spicy Indian curries; he occasionally brews his own beer, has reasonable fluency in German and can hold his own in French and Japanese. His English, however, could use some work. Finally, he loves his new 750 sports Kawasaki motorcycle and takes it out into the great open space of Canada for relaxation.

Recently, Allan has renewed his interest in his childhood (age 5) love of playing the piano, much to Hazel's chagrin, since he practices often.

Most importantly, Dr Allan Osborn has been a teacher, friend and colleague for more than 40 years and has been the epitome of dedication to his profession and this Academy. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to present him this justly deserved Distinguished Member award from The American Academy of Gold Foil Operators.