August 26, 1937 – December 23, 2017
Ken was born in Victoria, B.C. to Charles (Ed) and Eleanor Glover. He was committed to lifelong learning and attended the University of Alberta majoring in science and dentistry. He served on boards and committees resulting in the Gold “A” Ring, his membership in the Golden Key Society, and his naming as Chairman of the Graduating Committee. While at school, he met and married the true love of his life, Elinor.
Upon graduating, Ken and Elinor moved to Vermilion where he established his dental practice. Ken also served as a town Councillor, was involved with the Kinsmen Club, and served the Boy Scouts as a Regional and District Commissioner.
After five years, the family moved back to Edmonton where Ken taught clinical Pedodontics to undergrad dental students, while associating with a group dental practice in Bonnie Doon. He continued his work with the Boy Scouts as Regional Commissioner for Northern Alberta, and helped coordinate the Artic and Alberta Jamborees. His Scouting contributions resulted in both the Medal of Merit and the Silver Acorn Award.
Ken furthered his studies pursuing a Pedodontics, Orthodontics and higher education program offered in Seattle, Washington. Upon completion, the family returned to Alberta, where Ken was appointed Chairman of the Orthodontic programs at the Faculty of Dentistry. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Professor, and continued the full time Orthodontic teaching position until 1991, when he was appointed a Department Chairman with responsibilities for six dental specialties, including orthodontics.
He also served as elected President of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO) for 2001 – 2002. He served at the CDA level as the orthodontic specialist representative to the Agreement on Internal Trade and to the Clinical Collaboration for Clinical Practice Guidelines in Dentistry.
To say that Dr. Ken Glover was both a doer and a teacher is an understatement. As a practicing dentist, orthodontist, educator, administrator and dutiful citizen of the Canadian dental health community, Ken rarely missed the opportunity to obtain further education and share that knowledge with patients, peers and students.
In light of all of his achievements, Ken’s greatest love was his family. With his final breath, he adored his wife, Elinor. Together they were a unified and harmonious force founded on true love, tireless devotion, shared responsibilities, generosity and boundless support for one another. They created, raised and loved three compassionate and kind children. As a father, he inspired us with his unbridled enthusiasm to educate, to serve, to give and to improve people’s lives. Our home was filled with daily laughter, celebrations, inspiration and unending adoration for each other. Ken lived his life full of integrity, passion, wit, humor and love, with an undying dedication to excelling in all of one’s pursuits. Ken believed wholeheartedly that “one should leave something better than one found it.”
Ken was predeceased by his loving wife of 49 years, Elinor (d. 2008), his treasured son Brian (d. 2012), his beloved daughter Karen (d. 2011), his youngest brother Bill (d. 2014) and his parents Ed and Eleanor.
Ken is survived by his daughter Diane; daughter-in-law, Nicole; his brother, Donald (Joyce); niece Cathy; nephew Bob (Margot) their two daughters, Laura and Anna; his sister-in-law Jackie; niece Jennifer (Kelsey) Kowal and their two children, Lily and Andy; nephew Ryan (Kathy) Glover and their two children, Oliver and Emmett. Ken’s surviving cousins include: Sandra Laing (Victoria), Mary Ann Roueche (Victoria), Brent Pedersen (Drumheller), Gayle Pedersen (Drumheller), and Maureen Moore (Calgary).
Ken was not deterred by a challenge. Perhaps his greatest challenge was his last, his battle with dementia. We had the pleasure and the curse of a very long goodbye with that kind and gentle man. You can rest now pappy. The family wishes to acknowledge the care, support and love shown by the nurses and staff of the 4th floor Lynnwood.
A celebration of Ken Glover’s life will occur in the summer of 2018. If you wish to receive additional details, or simply want to communicate well wishes, please send an email to DrKenGlover@gmail.com We shall communicate with you personally.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, Ken would have preferred contributions to the Glenrose Hospital “Dentistry for Life” program, providing dental care for vulnerable and underserved people. Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Attention: Annual Giving Manager, 10230 – 111 Avenue, Edmonton, AB. T5G 0B7
