Smile because of Dr Robert Murray Ricketts.

Fig 1. Dr Robert Murray Ricketts, the early years. Ilay down principles and crystallize the information of their day. Such a scholar was Dr Robert Murray Ricketts (1920-2003) (Fig 1). His influence continues to contribute to our understanding of the biologic and mechanical enigmas that challenge us. His writings stimulate the student and promote advancements in his beloved specialty of orthodontics. Dr Ricketts commanded leading-edge knowledge and was a pioneer in early treatment and facial orthopedics, temporomandibular joint tomography and therapies, esthetics and golden proportions, orthodontic sectional biomechanics with biologic and physiologic emphases, lateral and frontal facial analysis (Fig 2), asymmetry, nutritional influences, airways, world conditions, music and the arts, anthropology, and more. Robert Ricketts began his life humbly on a farm in Indiana, where unswerving persistence and achievement were expected and valued. He credited “the farm” for his work ethic, quick laughter, and earthy sense of humor. In that community he was an accomplished athlete, but once he decided to pursue a career in dentistry, he forged himself into a determined, accomplished scholar. In January 1943, when Ricketts was in dental school at Indiana University, the world was at war; young doctors served in the military, and Dr Ricketts was no exception. LTJG Ricketts served in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps; during this time, he became fascinated with orthodontics. In 1947, when his service was concluded, he enrolled at the University of Illinois under Dr Allan G. Brodie, who had been an early student of Edward H. Angle, so the curriculum emphasized the edgewise technique. Ricketts wrote: “Dr. Brodie had the most exceptional proclivity to instill in his students a sense of the importance of orthodontics in their lives and to our whole culture. He expressed a love and respect for the profession.”