Terry Comar

How does one tell the story of a man as accomplished and as selfless as Terry Comar? The task is nearly impossible. His stunning achievements meant little to him. What Terry loved and focused on was his family, his friends, his patients, and his employees.

Terry was born on May 2nd, 1943 to Meredith Francis and Helen Thrope Dean Comar in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was the middle son of three boys; Michael Dean, the oldest, and Dennis George, the youngest. Interestingly they were all born 5 years apart. His father was a dentist in Three Rivers and also served as the town’s Mayor. His Aunt Mary and Aunt Lillian Comar were extremely influential in all the boys’ upbringing. Lillian Comar, a former Dean of Woman at Hillsdale College, was another Comar, like Terry, who went above and beyond for all who knew her.

As a young adolescent, Terry enjoyed playing golf, football, and tennis. He graduated from Three Rivers High School and went on to receive his undergraduate degree at Hillsdale College. He then set off to follow in his father’s footsteps graduating from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1971. Following graduation, he practiced general dentistry for several years in Kalamazoo before enrolling in the graduate periodontal program at The University of Loyola School of Dentistry in Chicago. While in the graduate program he continued to practice general dentistry during the evening when his studies allowed. After completing the periodontal program his brother Michael, already a practicing periodontist, encouraged his brother to join him. Together they formed Comar & Comar PC. Terry continued seeing patients until November when his illness was diagnosed.

Prior to and after his graduate training, Terry, in conjunction with other dental colleagues, was involved in establishing small dental seminar groups. He also actively participated in the development and organization of postgraduate dental hygiene programs at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC). The community benefit of such has been impossible to measure.

Along his “journey” Terry has been:

*President, Kalamazoo Valley District Dental Society

*President, Russell Bunting Periodontal Study Club

*President, Michigan Society of Periodontists

*Member, American College of Sto-Mat-ologic Surgeons

*Member, American Academy of Periodontology

*Member, Midwest Society of Periodontology

*Chairman, Michigan Dental Association’s Insurance and Retirement Programs

*Fellow, American College of Dentists (an exceptional honor)

*Member, International College of Dentists

*Chairman, Delta Dental of Michigan

Terry never talked about his societal contributions or honors. He felt his greatest accomplishment was his family. He married Karen Davis in 1964 after high school and had two handsome boys. Later in life he married Vera Rae Goertler at the First United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 9th, 1991 (a day that they later would share with the birth of their granddaughter, Mary Catherine). Terry, as a father, wanted nothing more than the best for all his children. He was a loving, giving, non-judgemental man, who always instilled the value of education and a good, hard day’s work.

Terry and Vera enjoyed countless evenings on their deck in the summer with friends, family, and neighbors after a day of boating on Gourdneck lake and swimming in the family/neighborhood pool. Together they enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Napa Valley, and many other U.S. destinations. Terry made many fishing trips to Alaska with his Delta Dental friends. And, on behalf of Delta Dental, he made one trip to Australia. Terry and Vera’s final trip was a memorable, two-week cruise along the Rhine and Mosel rivers.

Terry was, of course, an avid fan of the Michigan Wolverines and Bo Schembechler. With his family he traveled to many games to cheer them on. His enjoyment of golf spilled over onto the family. He encouraged every family member to join him in the sport. He felt very fortunate to have played Pebble Beach twice. He loved reading, watching sports, and practicing periodontics.Unfortunately Terry and Vera’s plans to retire in Santa Rosa Beach Florida with all their Delta Dental friends were cut short. Together they would have played golf, enjoyed their vast collection of fine wines, and watched sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Terence Ray Comar, age 75 of Portage, Michigan passed away peacefully at the University of Michigan Medical Hospital on the morning of January 2, 2019 with his family at his bedside. Surviving are members of his family, including his loving wife Vera Rae, children: Scott Ray (Ann) Comar, Todd Francis Comar, Alyssa Goertler, Lindsay (Chad) Hujsak, Ashley (Nathan) Shaw, and Tiara Lindsay Comar. Grandchildren: Aspen, Carson Ray, Payton, Benjamin, Erik, Mary, Alex Terence, Lucas, Colton Ray and expected great-grandchild Kilian Dean (named by the great grandfather himself) Brothers: Michael Dean (Sandra) Comar and Dennis George (Wendy) Comar. Two Godchildren, Megan Comar Watson and Beth Warner Cooke. His beloved furry companion a Shih Tzu, named Gg. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, with an informal reception to gather and greet. Please visit Terry’s personal web page at www.betzlerfuneralhome.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook. Terry’s extended family is pleased to announce that they are in the process of establishing an educational scholarship in the “Dental Hygiene program” at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in memory of Dr. Terence R. Comar. The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers you direct your donation to the Terence R. Comar Educational Scholarship in the “Dental Hygiene Program” at KVCC. More KVCC scholarship information will be available at the funeral home on Saturday. Memorial contributions may also be made to the American Cancer Society.