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In memoriam: Sigurds Krolls, D.D.S.

Published on Thursday, November 3, 2016

Published on November 03, 2016

UMMC leadership extends its sympathy to the families of former members of the Medical Center family in appreciation for their loved ones' contributions to the academic health sciences center.

Dr. Sigurds Krolls, professor emeritus of dentistry and one of the longest-serving faculty in the School of Dentistry, died Oct. 26. He was 84.

A native of Riga, Latvia, Krolls came to America in 1949. He earned his B.S. and his D.D.S. at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He also received his M.S. in oral pathology from Indiana University and his M.S. in education from Jackson State University.

A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Krolls rose to the rank of colonel and served as vice chairman of the Department of Oral Pathology. He also received the Legion of Merit, the nation's second-highest peacetime award.

Krolls joined the School of Dentistry faculty in 1977 and taught oral pathology to virtually every student in the school. He became chair of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences in the school, authored more than 100 scientific papers and received many local, state and national awards for science and academics.

A diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and the American Board of Oral Medicine and a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the American Academy of Oral Pathology and the American Academy of Oral Medicine, Krolls was doctor honoris of Stradina University, Institute of Stomatology, Riga, Latvia.

Services for Krolls will take place next summer at Arlington National Cemetery.