Lester Levern Merrifield, Feb 1, 1921 to Jan 15, 2000

Lester Levern Merrifield passed away on Jan 15, 2000 in his 79th year. With his passing, The Charles H. Tweed International Foundation for Orthodontic Research and Education turned the last page of the second chapter in a saga of service to orthodontics. This I learned from the shadow of a tree, Which to and fro did’st sway upon the garden wall, Our shadow selves...our influences may fall, Where ‘er we n’er can be.James Russel Lowell Levern’s shadow has fallen on all of us. He has influenced the careers of countless students and orthodontists throughout our profession, and he has influenced the lives of millions of patients...throughout the world. Although his physical presence is no longer possible, his shadow will continue to fall on our precious specialty. Levern Merrifield was laid to rest in a private graveside service on Wednesday, Jan 19, 2000. A public memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan 22, 2000 at the First Christian Church in Ponca City, Okla, with the Reverend Dr Bill Masters and the Reverend Kent Dorsey officiating. Jack Dale of Toronto, Canada, delivered the eulogy. He was born Feb 1, 1921, to Cecil Conrad and Ivery Lee (Guthrie) Merrifield in Dill City, Okla. He graduated from Sayre High School at the age of 16. Within 3 years, he earned a degree in agriculture from Oklahoma A&M. He taught vocational agriculture at Cache and Erick and was often confused as a fellow student because of his young age. Despite his degree in agriculture and his love for the land, Levern’s calling proved to be dentistry. In 1946, he graduated from the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. He opened his first practice in Chickasha. After 3 years in practice, he enrolled in the University of Missouri at Kansas City to pursue his MSD in orthodontics. In 1951, Levern entered the United States Air Force as a captain. At the request of the base commander, he was transferred to the Amarillo Air Force Base to assist in the Base’s reopening and to establish its dental clinic. He completed his tour of duty in 1953. On returning to private practice, Levern moved to Ponca City and began his orthodontic career, sharing an office with his brother, Vernon “V.C.” Merrifield, MD. The brothers built the Merrifield Doctors Center in 1959 to accommodate their growing practices. He also had an office in Stillwater, where he practiced 2 days a week for 25 years. Levern and Jan Marlene McVicker, a Duncan native, were united in marriage in 1967. They established a ranch in Osage County, where they raised wheat and Angus cattle. He was in private practice for 50 years. During that time, he earned an international reputation in orthodontics. Among the first to recognize his talent was Charles Tweed. His Tucson-based Tweed Foundation taught the “advanced edgewise” technique to licensed orthodontists. After Levern completed the Tweed Course, Tweed invited him to be an instructor and later the co-director. On Charles Tweed’s death in 1970, Levern Merrifield was named the Tweed Course’s director. Later he became the chairman of the board. Notably, he established a substantial endowment for continuing education and scholarship to benefit the rapidly growing Tweed Foundation. Levern Merrifield dedicated more than 45 years of his life to the growth and development of another man’s foundation...asking for nothing in return. Since he took The Tweed Course in 1953, he did not miss a course or a meeting in 46 years. This uncommon commitment to The Tweed Foundation is truly remarkable. He promised Charles Tweed that he would look after his foundation, and he did...with a dedication and loyalty that is rare. His example serves as an inspiration for future leaders of the foundation. Levern Merrifield improved, refined, and simplified the edgewise appliance to the stage where it is one of the most precise instruments for the routine correction of major malocclusion that exists in the world today. During his years of private practice, Levern maintained a busy lecture schedule including lectures twice a year in Tucson at the course and in many foreign countries. He authored and co-authored numerous publications. He was awarded numerous honors during his career, including the Tweed Foundation Distinguished Service Award, the Outstanding Service Award from the Oklahoma Orthodontic Association, and the Martin Dewey Award from the Southwestern Society of Orthodontics. He served as president of the Oklahoma Orthodontic Society. He was certified by the American Board of Orthodontics and was recognized by the Board with its most prestigious honor, the Albert H. Ketcham Memorial Award in 1989. During the Celebration of Life service, Janet Merrifield sang a beautiful song, made famous by Bette Midler, called “The Wind Beneath My Wings.” Levern made many major contributions to orthodontics and to his community, but he would say that his most significant contribution was to the self-esteem of his young patients. By giving them a beautiful smile, he made them feel good about themselves...providing the “wind beneath their wings.” Low self-esteem is the biggest killer in the world today–no doubt about it! That is why Jan and Levern Merrifield’s contribution to the ProTeens Center in Ponca City is so very, very important. Levern’s primary objective in The Tweed Foundation, and in his community, was to encourage and to counsel young men and women in the path of excellence and professionalism in the service of others. “Helping and teaching young people affects eternity; you can never tell where your influence stops.” Levern Merrifield supported youth and he encouraged it at every turn. He believed that the champions of change tend to be younger than the dictators of dogma, and that a mixture of experience and youthful enthusiasm is desirable for innovation in teaching and in service. His personal interests included ranching, quail hunting, and fishing. He is especially remembered for his unwavering love and devotion to his family. Levern is survived by his wife Jan of Ponca City, his son Ron Merrifield and his two daughters, Terri Hadley and Shawn Lessert. Additional survivors include daughter-in-law Sandra, sons-in-law Paul and Wade, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by his brother Vernon. With Levern Merrifield’s passing, the second chapter of the tale of The Charles H. Tweed legacy is now complete. As we turn to the first page of the third chapter, we give thanks to the wisdom and foresight of Levern. The Tweed Foundation is strong. Financially it is sound. The Course is solid, and... The future leadership is intact.