Cyril I. Evian, 68, periodontist and implant specialist
Cyril I. Evian, 68, of King of Prussia, an acclaimed periodontist who specialized in dental implants, died of cancer Thursday, Jan. 26, at his home.
Dr. Evian saw patients for 30 years in offices at the Valley Forge Towers in King of Prussia. He was a well-known professor, a worldwide lecturer on periodontics and implant dentistry, and a gifted photographer, in some cases using the camera to document his work at each phase of treatment.
He published more than 150 papers and research articles in professional journals, and acted as a consultant to numerous dental and implant companies.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Evian trained in dentistry at the University of the Witwatersrand there, and as a periodontist at the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. He pursued research projects at Penn for seven years before opening his private practice in 1986.
Dr. Evian's zest for dentistry drove his desire to educate others, his family wrote in a tribute. After graduating, he remained at Penn as a professor and then director of the department of graduate periodontics and implant dentistry. In 2001, he was asked to become interim chairman of the department of periodontics and did so until 2005.
He became a clinical professor at the University of Maryland, a faculty member at New York University, and a clinical professor of periodontics at Temple University.
Dr. Evian received a Best Teacher award at Penn, as well as at New York University, where he taught for the last few years. He was loved by his students and colleagues, his family said.
He kept up with developments in his field. "Education is a journey, not a destination," he wrote in an online autobiography.
His efforts to educate also applied to patients, whom he lectured online about proper dental hygiene. "Each tooth in our mouth is more valuable than a diamond," he posted, urging patients to brush teeth twice a day and floss daily.
Dr. Evian spent time with family, traveled, skied, took photographs, and enjoyed wine and gourmet food. His family described him as "a larger-than-life person with an enormous heart."
"My philosophy of life: work hard and play hard, know when to work and when to play, and never mix the two," he posted online.
He is survived by his former wife, Andrea Evian; children Allon Hellmann, Samantha E. Zemble, Tracy Waasdorp, Debra Chesbrough, and Michael; nine grandchildren; and two brothers.
Services were Sunday, Jan. 29.
An education fund has been established by his children to benefit dental students who share his passion for higher education, but lack the funds to pursue it. More information is available at CyrilEvian.org. Memorial donations may also be made to the Colon Cancer Alliance via www.ccalliance.org.