Earl W. Renfroe

Earl Wiley Renfroe (January 9, 1907 – November 14, 2000) was and African-American dentist known as an innovator in the field of orthodontics and for breaking down the barriers of racism.

In 1957, with fellow faculty member Dr. Thomas K. Barber, Renfroe wrote a seminal article on the concepts of preventive and interceptive orthodontics.

Renfroe was born in Chicago January 9, 1907, to parents Eugene and Bertha, who were employed at the post office and as a caterer, respectively.

At Bowen, he became the first African American in the school's history to attain the rank of Cadet Commander in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.

[1] Once on the UIC College of Dentistry faculty, he ended the practice of students being allowed to provide dental care only for the patients of the same race as themselves.

Dr. Renfroe was also a member of several dental organizations including the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontics, American Association of Orthodontists.

[1] In 1957, he co-authored an article on the concepts of preventive and interceptive orthodontics with fellow faculty member Thomas K. Barber of the college's Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

[8] In 1988, he was honoured with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the UIC Dental Alumni Association, and two years later was inducted into the Chicago Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.

In 1936, Dr. Renfroe held a transport licence from the US Department of Commerce and was one of only three pilots at the time to hold this distinction.

[9] His other interests included amateur radio operation, pistol and rifle marksmanship, model locomotives, SCUBA diving, and several civil organizations.