Change. The only thing in life that is inevitable.
This week my family is preparing for some change. My father-in-law, Dr. George Kleban, is closing his dental practice after 53 years. If anyone deserves a chance to step away from work and start enjoying the fruits of retirement, it is Doc, as he called by so many. He will turn 80 in July.
I first met Grandpa back in 1977 when his oldest son also named George asked me to the junior prom. I didn’t know young George then but knew his older sister, coincidentally also named Patty. That first date evolved into 30 years of marriage and in-laws who have made me a part of their family.
I don’t think I officially became his dental patient until mid-way through college. It was after one of my sorority sisters broke one of her front teeth on a beer bottle and was afraid to call her mother. We called young George who called his dad. With one appointment and some tooth-colored stuff that he put on it and then cured with a light, her teeth were back to normal. When my roommate eventually told her mother, she said “Four years of high school sports and you break your teeth on a beer bottle?” We all still laugh about it. Dr. Kleban to the rescue.
That story and my friend are just one of the thousands that Grandpa has treated and helped over the years.
George and Betty came to State College in the mid-1960s with 3 little kids in tow, he a recent graduate of The University of Pittsburgh dental school. They rented an apartment on Hamilton Avenue, across from the current shopping center. My husband George can still remember playing on the steps of that apartment, which is still there. They moved to State College after an instructor at Pitt told him about a practice for sale in what was then a small, sleepy university town. A dentist had passed away and his wife was selling his practice. When I went to see Grandpa for my appointment last week, it was in that same space, above what is now The Growing Tree, above what for years was Kaye’s Korner.
Originally from Windber, Pa., George was working as an orderly while going to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown when he met Betty who, as a graduate of Pittsburgh’s St. Francis Medical Center’s nursing program, was working as a nurse. Another coincidence — I later worked in the psych unit at St. Francis, formerly the nursing dorms. They moved to Pittsburgh from Johnstown after Patty was born so he could attend dental school. To support his family, he worked a variety of jobs at night including as a security guard and in a lab slicing tissue for science. In what was non-traditional for the early 1960s, Betty worked as a nurse at Magee-Women’s hospital.
There is famous story in the Kleban household about an important exam, trying to balance jobs and a toddler, nights without sleep and a baby on the way. When he finally turned in the exam, George wrote on the top “It’s a boy!” The instructor gave it back to him a few days later with an additional note. “It’s an A.” That boy was my husband George. Their middle son, Rick, was also born in Pittsburgh.
In more than 50 years of practicing dentistry, George found a balance between what was new while building a practice with a family feel to it. He has pictures of his kids and grandkids in the office next to the computerized X-ray system. Patients could expect warm greetings, firm guidance, excellent treatment, and, almost certainly, a stream of jokes when sitting in the dental chair. His reputation was one of solid, detail-oriented dentistry. For many years, he served as faculty for continuing education at both Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh. A few weeks ago, one of my friends who is one of the surgeons to whom my father in law refers patients asked how my father-in-law was doing. I mentioned that he was considering retiring. My friend said “He’s a really good dentist.” Accolades from peers is about the best review a professional can earn.
The Klebans have been part of the growth of State College. From serving on charity committees to their involvement at Our Lady of Victory, they are a part of this community. He coached Pee-Wee and Little League baseball before they started following five kids in their activities – Carolyn and Tom were born after they arrived in State College. George and Betty have been on the sidelines or in the audience of just about every sport, dance and extra-curricular activity you can name, first with their own children and eventually with the 11 grandchildren (currently ranging from age 19 to 27). Track and field were always a favorite for Grandpa who placed second in the state of Pennsylvania his senior year of high school in the 180 yard low hurdles. Along with the triumphs came some tragedies, first with my husband’s car accident and then Tom’s life changing spinal cord injury. The community has been a part of their life throughout. From the famous Kleban tailgates to Chicken George at the Kaywood picnics, they have loved Happy Valley.
There are the funny stories about his dental practice. Local celebrities and coaches who became part of the practice family. Days when his calendar was filled with Amish patients, including the occasional kid without shoes. One favorite is when actor Jonathan Frid from the 1970s soap opera Dark Shadows was in town doing something at Penn State and he needed an emergency procedure. We were never sure if Grandpa fixed a regular tooth or one of Barnabas Collins’ fangs. Mostly, however, it was going to work every day, doing the job that he loves.
My husband started working for his dad in high school, pouring models and cleaning in the office. That turned into a career, first with his dad and eventually his own separate dental laboratory. He will miss the camaraderie of having his Dad as a client but is happy that his father is now taking the time to enjoy some down time. After 53 years, it is time to for Grandpa to put himself first. He will close his doors on March 31. Details will be forthcoming on a party for family, friends and his patients to come and celebrate his service to our community.
To quote Socrates, the secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new. Please join me in wishing Doc, Grandpa…. George Kleban, the best in retirement.
