In memoriam Norman Alperin, D.D.S., ABHD (1922-2002)

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Oct 2003

On December 21, 2002 Norman S. Alperin, D.D.S., died from complications of esophageal cancer at the Hillcrest Hospital in Aurora, Illinois. Dr. Alperin was a graduate of the Cleveland Heights High School. In World War II he served as a medic in the Army Air Forces at the Walter Reed Hospital. He took his Bachelor of Science degree at Adalben College (now Western Reserve University) and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Western Reserve University School of Dentistry (now Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry) in 1948. Subsequently, he was recalled from his private dental practice to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force at the Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico during the Korean War.

Like so many the dentists who are members of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Dr. Alperin engaged life-long learning and focused on clinical excellence. He was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry for many years and was on the staffs of Meridia Hillcrest, Meridia Surburban, and Brentwood Hospitals in Cleveland. As a teacher Norman Alperin enjoyed the reputation of being infinitely patient. He was a teacher who saw his students' professional development as something that he could personally enhance with the respect, kindness, and nurturance he gave his students.

Dr. Alperin served as Newsletter Editor, Vice President, President Elect, and then President of the American Academy of Oral Medicine. He was a Fellow of the American Association of Hospital Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry. He held memberships in the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the International Hypnosis Society, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

Dr. Alperin utilized hypnosis with many patients, especially those who were anxious about dental procedures. He was vocal about preferring to help his anxious patients with hypnosis rather than drugs. He maintained his active interest in hypnosis into his later years. A different kind of anxiety relief was the prescription he gave to many: Ride a horse. He was a dedicated horseman who kept a number of horses over the years at various stables including the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club (most recently).

Norman Alperin enjoyed his family, and was known as a family man. He rode horses several times a week with his two sons when they were younger, and he advocated a balanced life. His wife of fifty-six years, Ruth, his two sons, Scott and Mitchell, six grandchildren, and a brother survive him. We mourn his passing and are deeply appreciative of his contributions to clinical hypnosis, dentistry, and teaching.