For the past 43 years Dr Leon Rechtman has been practicing dentistry. On Tuesday, Dr. Rechtman saw his last LaGrange patients because he is finally going to fully retire.
Dr. Rechtman first established a family dental practice in Atlanta and did not open his LaGrange office until a friend of his got him interested in working with dentures.
“At first, I told my friend that I thought that working with dentures was nothing but a problem,” said Rechtman.“My friend told me, that was only because I was not familiar with them. After listening to him preach several more times, I decided that I wanted to look into it,” he said.
Rechtman then spent Saturdays working at a clinic that only did extractions and got in touch with a dental technician who only made dentures. Besides general dentistry, Rechtman wanted to offer individuals, who had major dental problems, an opportunity to have their quality of life improved by fitting them with dentures at a affordable price. He just needed to find a suitable location for his clinic.
It was the denture technician who drove Rechtman to LaGrange, where the LaGrange Dental Clinic was finally established at 105 Vernon Street. For the next 35 years, Dr. Leon Rechtman traveled from Atlanta two days a week to treat his patients in LaGrange.
Rechtman had retired from his Atlanta practice a little over 10 years ago, and now at the age of 84, he is ready to also give up his LaGrange practice. He has made plans for his retirement.
Over the years, Rechtman had traveled and volunteered in Israel each year. He plans to continue to stay active in the Volunteers for Israel program, but he plans to do so without the frequent visits.
“Over 4,000 individuals, both Jewish and non-Jewish have volunteered through the Volunteers for Israel program. I am still going to be active in recruiting individuals for the program,” he said.
Dr. Rechtman concluded the interview by telling of his retirement plans that are closest to his heart. “I plan to spend more time with my grandchildren and my four children, we are a very close family,” Rechtman said.
A sincere thank you must be given to Dr. Rechtman for his unfailing commitment and dedication that he has demonstrated towards his LaGrange patients for all of these years. He will be missed but is wished a very long and happy retirement.
Information on Volunteers for Israel may be obtained at VFI-USA.org.
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