Laing Family Dentistry: A Proud History

The First Generation: 1932

Laing Family Dentistry has roots that go back to the early 1930s when a young Dr. Bruce Odean Laing moved to Ohio. Bruce Laing had been raised in rural North Dakota, and his parents wanted the best education for their only son. This resulted in his moving to Chicago to attend The Lewis Institute, and later The Chicago College of Dental Surgery (the dental department of Loyola University). During his time of study in Chicago he ran into a lovely nursing student who was from a small town in Northwest Ohio, Ohio City. Her name was Treva Hertel, and they fell in love and were married.

Upon graduation in 1932 they moved to Van Wert County with their two children, Robert and Geraldine. Dr. Bruce began practicing dentistry in the area with an early office above the Wilson Girod Hardware Store at the SW corner of Main and Washington Streets where Rhoades Insurance was later located. Later, a new location was built in their new home at 521 S. Shannon Street. Dr. Bruce enlisted in the Navy Dental Service and was stationed in various bases during World War II before returning to Van Wert. He practiced on Shannon Street until 1957 when his elder son returned to practice dentistry in his stead, and he moved with his wife Treva and the younger children (Dorothy and Vern) to a new teaching position at the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry. Several years later he returned to Van Wert and opened an office on Lincoln Highway, just west of the Van Wert Cinemas. Dr. Bruce passed away at the age of 61 in 1968

The Second Generation: 1957

Robert Bruce Laing was born in Chicago in February 1930. He went to school in Van Wert and graduated high school in 1948. He chose to attend college at Loyola in Chicago. While attending school in the Windy City, a lovely gal named Meri Lindsay from Fredonia, New York caught his eye. They married in June of 1951 and two sons (Scott and Kevin) were born in Chicago before they came to Van Wert in 1957 and moved in to 521 S. Shannon Street and Dr. Bob began practicing dentistry. Up until this time most dental instruments were belt driven and anesthetic was not in common usage, so when Dr. Laing started with air driven high-speed instruments and routine usage of Novocaine anesthesia, it was well received. In 1959 their youngest son, Brian, was born. Meri was studying commercial art when they met and was an expert in creating artworks with an airbrush. Once they were in Van Wert, however, motherhood and managing the dental office took most of her time. Many patients fondly remember Meri’s quick wit and the banter between the couple during the workday. Our current owner Dr. Robert (Bob) William Laing was named in honor of Dr. Robert Bruce Laing. Dr. Bob passed away at the age of 71 in 2001.

The Third Generation: 1980

In 1980 their middle son, Kevin, graduated from Loyola Dental School in Chicago and moved back to Van Wert. Kevin Michael Laing was born in 1956 in Chicago, graduated Van Wert High School in 1973, and received a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Heidelberg College in 1976. Kevin met a beautiful Iowa farmer’s daughter (Barbara) in Chicago where she was working as a nurse, and they moved to Van Wert where they raised their two sons, K. Michael and Robert W. Barb worked as plant nurse at Federal Mogul, Lima Memorial Hospital, and Van Wert County Hospital for a total of 37 years. Kevin went into practice with his father at 521 S. Shannon Street where they practiced until Dr. Bob (The First) retired, at which time a new office was created in the old People’s Bank Branch at the corner of Shannon Street and Main Street where it continues to function as a dental office. Their older son, K. Michael, practices as a Dental Hygienist in the Columbus area.

The Fourth Generation: 2020

Robert, better known as “Dr. Bob”, graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 2020 (Loyola had closed their dental school in the 1990s). Dr. Bob now proudly leads the practice as the fourth generation of Laing family dentists in Van Wert. Dr. Bob & his wife, Dr. Rachel (school psychologist with Van Wert City Schools) live in town where they are active members of the Van Wert Community. As for a fifth generation… only time will tell!

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Experience the difference that a personalized, compassionate, family-owned, community centered dental care team can make. Schedule your appointment with Laing Family Dentistry today!