Reader Appreciation

Copyright 1999 Journal of the California Dental Association.

We asked our readers to send us comments on their favorite Horseman columns. It's clear by the response that Dr. Bob's fans find him to be a kindred spirit, whether he writes on the daily ironies of dentistry or the comic episodes of life beyond work. They also consider him a friend. And why not? In every issue, he writes them all a letter. In this issue, they get to write back.

I think it is a marvelous idea to recognize Dr. Robert Horseman for his contributions. He has always been the "light" at the end of the Journal.

My favorites have changed over the years, but my all-time favorite is titled "Geezerhood," from the September 1998 issue. I have been in practice for 23 years, so Geezerdom is rapidly creeping up on me. As I was reading, I began to recall a time when I took my father to buy him some new clothes. He was 81 at the time and had definitely developed the "beer belly" "cracker bottom" to the point where "this anatomical metamorphosis result[ed] in a major trouser problem," as Dr. Horseman puts it.

The tailor was doing his best to get the cuffs to break nicely while trying to keep the crotch from dropping to just above the knees. Viewing himself in the mirror, my father's only comment, in his best curmudgeonry, was "Don't make these look like I'm carrying a load back there." It was a comment that will live with me forever, and the one that I hope I will never have to utter.

Thank you Dr. Horseman, for bringing a smile to my face over the years and for giving me a cherished memory of my father.

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I cast my vote for the September 1998 column on "Geezerhood." I laughed so hard, I cried! I sent a copy of it to my mom in Florida -- Geezerland! -- and to my mother-in-law who, like my mom, is "Geezerless," both widows of many years.

Dr. Bob is hilarious! He's a genius and I greatly admire his word and phrase selections, which severely tickle all my funnybones. He's the best!

Thomas L. Legan, DDS
Capitola, Calif.

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I have practiced oral surgery down the clock from Bob since the days when I tallied the day's product of traded chickens with an abacus -- I assure you, the man is just as erudite, witty and incisive in person as he appears in printed form.

My favorite piece was years ago, in which Bob "tripped" out (as in Linda) about the foolish ravings of a dental lunch group -- "The Jolly Boys" (March 1987). This was a traumatic revelation to us -- that we were the subject of some of his wry observations.

Nevertheless, I have enjoyed Bob's chronicles on the changing face of dental practice over the two decades prior. He is an inspirations to us all, both on page and in person.

Brian C. Chung, DMD
Whittier, Calif.

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Today's FDA Editor Ed Gonsky, DMD, and the Today's FDA staff love Dr. Horseman's humor columns! Today's FDA runs reprints three or four times a year. Writing humorously is not an easy thing to do -- Dr. Horseman has a rare and wonderful talent for making his readers laugh, sometimes hysterically. It's terrific that Dr. Horseman shares his gift with his colleagues -- it always helps to look at the humorous side of anything. We wish we had one just like him to write for us in Florida.

Karen Thurston Chavez
Managing Editor, Today's FDA
Tallahassee, Fla.

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I have enjoyed Dr. Robert Horseman's articles in the CDA Journal since the day I moved to California. Because of him, I wait eagerly to get my Journal every month and read it backward. It is hard to say which article is my favorite because I like them all and they all make me laugh. There is one impact his column has had on me -- it made me join CDA so I can have my own Journal and not miss an issue. I have not been fortunate enough to meet him, but I met his son and asked him to tell his dad how much I appreciate him.

Keep up the good work and never stop writing those articles.

Narendra G. Vyas, DDS
Fontana, Calif.

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My favorite Dr. Bob column was the one about what to give a dentist for Christmas. "Show me the money," ("What to Give a Dentist," November 1998).

Clelen C. Tanner, DDS
Hayward, Calif.

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Dr. Bob and I worked together on a lot of columns over the years. I found most of them very humorous so it'ss hard to pick a favorite. However, one does stick in my mind as a very well-written parable, timely and inventive. Published in the June 1994 issue, it was titled "Achin' in the Garden." As far as I remember, it was the most re-published of all Dr. Bob's articles during my 6 1/2 year tenure as managing editor, and with good reason: It said what a lot of his colleagues were thinking at the time.

Of nondental columns, I think one of my favorites was Dr. Bob's "Manifesto for Life," June 1997. (I don't know what it is with those June issues!) He brilliantly put into words a lot of life's little quirks that many of us try hard not to admit plague us. I laughed out loud at the one about women and Pamplona ... how true!

Dr. Horseman has written so many fantastic columns over the 10 years I've been reading him. I bow to his unique wittiness, creativity and staying power. May he go on forever!

Susan E. Lovelace
Executive Director
San Diego County Dental Society

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The CDA Journal is a good journal made better by Bob's contributions. I would not read anything before getting a laugh from him. He has a wonderful and unique mind. I hope the younger generation of dentists appreciate him as much as those of his -- and mine.

Best article: "Mindful of New Ideas," October 1994

No. 2: Re: Pigeons at his building ("For the Birds," December 1997)

No. 3: Re: Restaurants having the same sterilization requirements as dental offices. Best comment: Busboy wiping tables and seats with a towel "issued to him sometime during the Carter administration" ("A Foolish Inconsistency," February 1993)

John Gorrie, DDS
Fullerton, Calif.

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My favorite column is about the new young dentist who comes to lunch with local dentists and tells of his numerous, wonderful successes treating patients. Dr. Bob feels sorry for this person, who does not yet know how to talk to other dentists. You only talk of your disasters to other dentists. It's a law.

Roger Bishop, DDS
Los Altos, Calif.

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How can you pick a favorite out of all the columns that this literary, talented dentist has produced over many years? I turn to his column first thing to get all psyched up before reading the rest of the Journal. I then save and file them for my future edification. Some of the ones that seem to draw my attention include the February 1999 "The Emperor's New Dental Smock." It is well-done and very up-to-date with government interference in individual choice. "Chew on This" from July 1997 is an interesting approach to the value of having one's own teeth. "The Art of Personal Suffering" from February 1994 was a different approach to the usual idea of the dentist being a sadist. " Learning the Language, " December 1994, is another favorite because of the dialogue and the way it was written. "The Insurance Game" January 1994 is a favorite because it discusses in a lighthearted manner a very serious matter for every dentist.

See what I mean about trying to pick a favorite? Oh, for the literary talent and keen humorous mind of Dr. Bob.

With laughter and appreciation,

John C. Brown, DDS
Claremont, Calif.