I grew up very close to my grandparents, Evelyn Schmitt Eyler and Dr. George Kurtz Eyler. Because we lived less than two blocks from them, I spent many happy days at their home and tagging along with my grandfather to his dental office. I was amazed at how diligent and caring he was with every single patient. Later, when I was a bag boy at a local grocery store, people would ask me if I was “Doc Eyler’s” grandson. It really left an impression on me that my grandfather touched so many lives in a positive way.
When he finally decided to close his office, I helped clean it out and I found a very interesting item: A letter from his uncle, a dentist in Pennsylvania. In the letter, this uncle implored my grandfather to think about becoming a dentist because it was such an honorable and fulfilling profession. I believe that in some strange way, that letter also made me begin to think about one day becoming a dentist.
My grandfather passed away when I was a freshman in high school. I still think of him often and marvel at what a master of the dental arts he must have been. It drives me to be better at my craft every single day. I also wonder what he might think about the amazing things that can be done now. I hope that I am building at least half the legacy for my children that my grandfather did.