Dr. William Henry DeKock
Dr. William Henry DeKock
Cedar Rapids
Dr. William Henry DeKock was born on January 27, 1938 in Manson, Iowa to parents Edith Cathcart DeKock and Henry Cornelius DeKock. He had one older brother Robert DeKock of Tipton, Iowa.
Most of his life was spent in Iowa where his father became the Associate Dean and Professor of School Finance in the College of Education at the University of Iowa. Bill, as he was more commonly known, graduated from the University of Iowa High School in 1956 where he met his wife of 62 years Margaret Ladd DeKock. Both graduated from the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts in 1960 followed by several graduate degrees before marrying in 1962.
Bill received degrees from the College of Dentistry, one in general dentistry (1963) and another in orthodontics (1967). Between which, he served as a dentist in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, CA from June 1962 to August 1965.
Bill practiced orthodontics in Cedar Rapids, IA for over thirty-five years and taught as a part time adjunct professor at the University of Iowa Dental School. His research on orthodontic cases appears in the national and international orthodontic journals. He continued his leadership abilities as the president of the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists and then the American Association of Orthodontists as its president in 1995. He was instrumental in founding the World Federation of Orthodontists and served as its President from 1995-2000 and then its Secretary General from 2000-2015. While president of the two organizations, Bill traveled extensively, speaking on behalf of orthodontic excellence and expanding its impact on patients’ lives. As a result, the DeKock’s maintain friendships worldwide.
Bill and his wife Margie lived in the same home in Cedar Rapids for forty-seven years raising their three children, Nicholas (Lynn) DeKock, Gregory DeKock and Edith DeKock Wessel. Bill and Margie are blessed with six wonderful grandchildren; Danielle and Amy DeKock, Julian DeKock and Henry, Nile and Nolan Wessel. Bill cherished his time with his three children and six grandchildren on the golf course, watching dance performances, listening to guitar solos and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Edith DeKock and his brother Robert DeKock.
More details about Dr. William H. DeKock and his contributions to orthodontics may be found in Who’s Who in the Midwest 16th edition and The American Association of Orthodontists at 2000.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.