Oscar E. Hanscom, 91

PORTLAND - Oscar E. Hanscom, 91, of Portland, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004.

Dr. Hanscom was born on June 30, 1912 in Sanford. He was the son of Dr. Alpheus C. and Etta Pierce Hanscom.

He attended Sanford schools, and is a graduate of the Sanford High School, Class of 1929. Following graduation, Dr. Hanscom attended Bowdoin College for two years prior to attending the Temple University Dental School from which he graduated in 1935. Soon after, Dr. Hanscom began his dental practice in Norway. He was then enlisted in the Army Dental Corp in 1943, and proudly served his country until 1946. In 1947 he joined the active Army Reserves and rose to the rank of Colonel before retiring from service in 1972.

In 1947 Dr. Hanscom joined his fathers dental practice in Sanford and worked there until his retirement in 1973.

Dr. Hanscom was past president of the Main Dental Society; a member of the Maine Board of Dental Examiners; a member of the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners; a member, and past president of the American Board of Dental Examiners; past president of the Maine Dental Society; and Citizen of The Year of the American Board of Dental Examiners. Dr. Hanscom was also a life member of the Maine Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the American association of Dental Examiners and the International college of Dentists. He was also Past Master of the Preble Lodge of Masons in Sanford.

Dr. Hanscom was married in 1937 to Eleanor D. Roberts. Together they raised a family of three children that included a son, Douglas R. Hanscom of McLean, Va., a daughter, Gail Hanscom of Portland, and another son, Gregory C. Hanscom of Lewiston.

The family would spend their summers together at the camp on Chebeague Island. The Island became a special part of their lives and will forever hold some very precious memories. Mrs. Hanscom and Dr. Hanscom spent over 50 years in a beautiful marriage together until Mrs. Hanscom died in May of 1987.

In 1988 Dr. Hanscom was married to Ruth P. Rosenfield. They both enjoyed traveling to Europe, and wintering in Myrtle Beach. Dr. Hanscom enjoyed music immensely. He played the violin, and sang in the Sanford First Baptist Church Choir for many years. He was an avid reader and enjoyed the language arts. He was a past member of the Sanford First Baptist Church, and loving friend to many.

Surviving are his three children, Douglas, Gail and Gregory; his wife, Ruth P. Hanscom of Portland; a brother, Ward T. Hanscom of Sanford; and a sister, Caroline Merrifield of Sanford; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to attend a 2 p.m. memorial service on Saturday, January 24, at the Sanford First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the:

Chebeague Island Library

Endowment Fund

247 South Rd.

Chebeague Island, Maine 04107

To leave condolences please visit:

www.healdfuneral.com

Oscar E. Hanscom
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