Dr. Lawrence R. Siegel passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2022 in Yardley, PA, where he had lived since 1973. He was 80.
Larry was born in Brooklyn, NY but, as a very young child, moved to Trenton, NJ. He was the son of the late Martin and Esther Siegel, who operated a small family grocery store in the Wilbur section of Trenton.
Larry went through the public schools in Trenton. He attended Upsala College, where he received a BA in biology. He then entered Temple Dental School, where he received his DDS degree in 1967. After dental school, Larry spent two years of active duty as a Captain in the USAF between 1967 and 1969. He was an endodontic teaching fellow at Temple Dental School for one year before entering a three year orthodontic residency program at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Larry opened his orthodontic practices both in Hamilton, NJ and Yardley, PA in 1973. In 1974 Larry became an assistant professor of orthodontics at Columbia University Graduate School of Dentistry.
Larry was a member of the ADA, Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontics, PA Orthodontic Society, NJ Dental Society, and Mercer Dental Society. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and was awarded lifetime status. For ten years, he was an alternate and delegate to the American Association of Orthodontics.
Larry founded the Orthodontic Alumni Society of Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he was president for several years. At Columbia University he was elected to the OKU Dental Honorary Society, and, in 2011, he became an associate professor. In 2018 Larry was the recipient of the Dr. Allan Formicola Award for Excellence in Teaching at Columbia University. Larry’s overriding passion was practicing orthodontics and teaching orthodontics to his students at Columbia.
Larry was a member of Brothers of Israel Congregation for many years.
Larry is survived by the love of his life, Paula (Markowitz) Siegel, to whom he was married for 55 years; his two children, Andrew (Hilary) Siegel and Dr. Molly Siegel; grandchildren Alex, Hayden, Nonni, and Lanie; his brother Saul (Yelena) Siegel. He is predeceased by his brother Dr. Norman (Carole) Siegel.
Funeral services and burial with military honors will be 1:30 pm on Friday, June 10 at the Ewing Cemetery, 78 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ.
Shiva will be observed on Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Siegel residence in Yardley, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bancroft, 1255 Caldwell Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, or to Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, or to Greenwood House in Ewing, NJ, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Rest In Peace Larry. Sending love and sympathy to Paula and her family.
Larry was a friend, professor, role model, doctor, family man, and political commentator. His loss is tragic but his legacy of teaching, helping, and caring is forever. Our family’s deepest condolences.
Larry was a gentleman, mentor, and always available with a kind word. It was a pleasure having him around the corner for the past 25 years. He will be greatly missed.
Our heartfelt condolences to Paula, Andy , Molly and the whole family.
With love, Sandy and Barbara Dash
Deb and I offer our condolences to Paula and the family. We will treasure the many great good times spent with Larry at his happy place by the sea.
Offering our condolences to the family. He was an amazing mentor, professor, doctor, and friend. He will truly be missed.
I am so sorry and sad to hear of Dr. Siegel’s passing. He was a beloved professor for so many of us at Columbia. Honestly, the professor whom I learned the most from in my many years of education. And the teacher I owe the most to in terms of my career. My condolences go out to his entire family. He will be missed.
Rest In Peace Dr Siegel. We were so lucky to have you teach us, your passion for orthodontics and teaching inspires me to this day. My condolences to Mrs Siegel and the Siegel family.
Dear Paula,
Iris and I were so sad to learn about Larry’s passing. Words are inadequate at times like this but please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sandy Bing
I cannot emphasize how important a role Dr. Siegel played in my orthodontic training, and I know he had an impact on a great many of my peers and friends who went through the program at Columbia. He managed to be serious, kind, hilarious, insightful – he had a true gift for teaching. I’m so grateful to have known him. May he rest in peace.
My kids have straight teeth because of him. I remember him kindly. So sorry he passed away so young.
Rest In Peace, Dr. Siegel.