Austin "Bill" Harris Kutscher, D.D.S.

Austin “Bill” Harrison Kutscher, D.D.S., age 83 years, of the Bronx, NY, died on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Schervier Nursing Care Center, Riverdale, NY.

Born in Staten Island, NY on August 27, 1923, son of the late Harry and Josephine Harris Kutscher, he had resided in the Bronx for the past twelve years, having previously lived in Scarsdale, NY, Tenafly, NJ and Highland Park, NJ.

Dr. Kutscher graduated from Curtis High School, Staten Island, NY in 1940 then went on to attend New York University where he attained his B.A. degree. Following that, Dr. Kutscher received his D.D.S. from Columbia University, New York City, in 1946.

Formerly having part-time and full-time practices in New York and New Jersey, Dr. Kutscher spent the majority of his career as a Professor of Dentistry in the School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University and also as a Professor of Psychiatry in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University.

Author of numerous publications and articles, Dr. Kutscher was a member of several Professional Societies, including the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the American Association of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, the American Dental Association and the American Association of Dental Schools. He was instrumental in the development of Kenalog with Orabase in the 1950’s which is still used in many forms today.

In 1966, after the death of his first wife, Helene Wald Kutscher, Dr. Kutscher founded the Foundation of Thanatology, serving as its President and Chairman of the Executive Committee. This Foundation pioneered research on Death Education and Awareness.

In addition to his many academic activities, Dr. Kutscher very much enjoyed Chinese cooking and in 1968 co-authored “The Encyclopedia of Chinese Cooking.” He also served as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1943-1947.

His wife, Lillian Goldberg Kutscher, died in 1986.

Surviving are his wife of twelve years, Charlotte Holman Kutscher; three sons, Harlan A. Kutscher, MD of Reading, PA, Austin “Ken” H. Kutscher, Jr., MD of Flemington, NJ and Martin L. Kutscher, MD of Goldens Bridge, NY; three step-sons, Michael R. Goldberg, MD, Ph.D. of San Francisco, CA, Robert A. Goldberg, M.S.W. of South Setauket, NY and Richard B. Goldberg of San Francisco, CA; a step-daughter, Carol G. Maeder, M.S.W. in PA; fifteen grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in Baron de Hirsch Cemetery, 1162 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Flemington Jewish Community Center, 5 Sergeantsville Road, Flemington, NJ 08822 or to the Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.