Dr. Bob -- a Legend in Our Time

I suspect that our honoree this month, Robert Horseman -- being a quiet, unselfish, professional -- might be a bit uncomfortable with the above refrain. But it is difficult for me to remove it from my consciousness because I believe it to be true.

How did Bob Horseman become a legend in OUR time? We would like to offer some personal insights into why we believe Bob and his contributions are legendary to practicing dentists everywhere who have had the opportunity to read his work.

For me, it really started in July 1983, when I attended my first Dental Editor's Workshop. I had been appointed in April; and my first issue, complete with an editorial, would not appear until September 1983, the same time the California Dental Association would open its doors in Sacramento. The Editor's Workshop, which was sponsored by the American Dental Association, was conducted by faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. It was an excellent time for a new editor to learn important basics about writing styles and techniques for developing a good publication. The faculty of the J school had requested copies of previous issues of the publications represented by editor attendees at the workshop. These journalists had "dissected" each publication prior to the meeting and had prepared critiques and slides of various portions of each publication for presentation and discussion in small groups.

I can well remember the situation and environment. It was a warm, darkened room with a slide projector humming. The session had been under way for about 30 minutes, with a continuing series of slide examples filling the screen, leading to critique and discussion. Suddenly, the tempo changed. The professor asked, in a very direct fashion, "Whoooo does this belong to?" I was momentarily startled. Again, he exclaimed, "Who does this belong to?" as he pointed to the image on the screen. I settled into the present to focus my eyes on the upper left corner of the photo, where a column heading read "Your Turn." Instantly, I realized that it was a page from a recent issue of the CDA Journal. Somewhat timidly, I raised my hand. Even in the darkened room, with only the light from the screen's image backlighting the professor, I could see him staring directly at me. Then he continued, "Don't ever ... I repeat, don't ever let this writer get away from writing for your publications." Superlative descriptions on Bob Horseman's piece then flowed. He asked, "Is he a dentist? Dentists typically can't write with this skill!" He appeared even more in awe when I responded that yes, Bob Horseman is indeed, a practicing dentist. He proceeded to describe the skill, styles, and techniques that made this column a meritorious piece of journalism.

Bob Horseman started service as a rotating contributing editor for the CDA Journal in 1979, meaning that he had three or four articles published each year. I had yet to publish my first editorial. I already knew that Journal readers had been starting to recognize that Bob's columns were something special. Now, in an outpouring of unreserved praise, a respected journalism professor had confirmed it. The Journal had a treasure, who to this day has no peer in the world of dental publications.

As most longtime Journal readers know, Bob's humor reaches more than 19,000 potential readers every month, and even more nationally and internationally via reprint requests from other publications. Year after year, his column brings countless requests for reprint approval.

Why is Bob a legend in OUR time? He possesses the special talent of taking the everyday challenges of being a dentist -- from the stresses of practice, to the requirements and regulations imposed by the society in which we live and operate -- and infuses them with sharp wit and colorful characters such as "Waldo Braunsweiger," "Dr. Bobby Jo Fallopian," or, when referencing a patient, not a "Mrs. Brown," but a "Mrs. Dudley Krautzmeyer." Simply stated, it gives the dentist reader enjoyment and a much-needed temporary lift out of the serious world of dental practice.

To know him is to know that he is quiet, professional, and serious about his work, despite his obvious ability to weave his clever word pictures into a humorous satire. In a profession that is formal and technique-sensitive, Bob Horseman is able to provide welcome relief to his readers with his humor about things and themes that are dental, because he, too, is a dentist.

Bob has been unselfishly providing a service of humor and entertainment that is of great value to his colleagues. With a master's touch, he takes the everyday frustrations and musings of the average dentist and turns them into a textual canvas that evokes laughter ... and, along the way, provides insights and relief from the very frustrations that gave it rise. By being exposed to the humor ever present in the dental practice world, the dentist is able to proceed with a lighter load.

Bob Horseman is a unique leader in dentistry. He has achieved his place not by numbers of meetings attended, wisdom of spoken words, nor by a list of positions held, but rather, by impact of the written word. He possesses a quiet and unassuming demeanor and is highly respected by those who know him.

Finally, he is devoted to his profession. The substantial, long-term time commitment to write his monthly columns and the messages they convey is proof of his dedication. A person such as Bob, who concentrates on contributing his skills solely for the enjoyment of his colleagues, is to be admired. Verbal testimonials of appreciation from readers continually attest to the esteem in which Bob Horseman's contributions are held.

Dr. Bob, you and your monthly creations are legendary. You are without a doubt, "The Dental Profession's Wittiest Fiction Humor Writer." A grateful readership salutes you, and THANKS you.