In Memory of Dr. Frank Ian Hohn

Frank Ian Hohn was born in Edmonton, Alberta on January 5, 1962. He grew up in the beautiful community of Camrose, Alberta, the only child of loving parents Eric and Mary Hohn. He was proud of his Welsh and Ukrainian roots. Growing up he spent much time playing and watching a number of sports in Camrose, particularly hockey. He forged many strong friendships through school and sport that remained very important to him throughout his life.  

Frank attended the University of Alberta where he obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and then spent a year in a General Practice Residency. He subsequently trained for four years in Chicago at Michael Reese Hospital for his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery specialty training. He loved the idea of changing faces, changing lives. He had a special interest in the treatment of dentofacial deformities as well as in dental implants. He came to Saskatoon planning to work for only a short period of time with Dr. Jack Shiffman. When Dr. Shiffman decided to retire in 1992 Frank found it was such a good practice opportunity that he bought the practice and never left. He expanded the office to accommodate additional surgeons and eventually the practice encompassed the entire sixth floor of the Tower at Midtown. 

Frank had a great sense of humour and could make anyone laugh. He often laughed at his own jokes until he cried. If you spent much time around Frank, you couldn't help but have heard some of his favourite jokes. He loved the Edmonton Oilers, the Chicago Bulls, "Da Bears", the New York Yankees, and the Masters Golf. 

Frank's professional life was defined by his unwavering dedication to oral and maxillofacial surgery. A leader in his field, he contributed significantly to organized dentistry across Canada and the U.S.A. He donated thousands of hours of his time to the dental profession, serving as head of the Department of Dentistry/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the Saskatoon District Health Board, president of the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS), and president of the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CAOMS). He served on the boards of the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), the CAOMS, the National Dental Examination Board and on various dental specialists' committees. He was a member of the Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation and the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. His contributions to organized dentistry and his desire to keep the dental profession successful and respected were substantial. Frank was honoured with distinguished service awards from both the CAOMS and the CDSS during his professional career. 

Frank had a way of being able to carry on a conversation with anyone and always listened fully. He could make anyone feel important and people recognized that their opinions really mattered to him. He possessed an incredible memory and remembered people and events in the greatest detail. Frank had a deep love for travel, a cigar on the golf course, and had a soft spot for sentimentality. He was an incredibly generous man and frequently helped people he barely knew and not just merely his friends. 

Frank was predeceased by his father Eric in 2015 and his mother Mary in 2016. He leaves behind his two beloved children, Ryan and Anna.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Battle River Community Foundation in Camrose, the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, the SPCA or the Saskatchewan Dental Fund.

Frank always said that cemeteries were a waste of good golf courses. He did not wish to have a funeral, but a party to celebrate his life. That event will take place with his closest friends in the coming weeks. 

Rest well, Frank.