Dr. Stanley Clawson, who passed away on March 8, 2025, at the age of 91, leaves behind a legacy of laughter and community in the dental world.
Dr. Clawson practiced dentistry for 30 years and was known for his sense of humor. Dr. Bob Carmichael says that he never saw any of his patients because they stayed with them. Stanley would joke that he did not need antiseptic because he numbed his patients with humor: “They were laughing the whole time he was working with them!”
In a time when lawyers and doctors were creating group practices with professional partnerships, Dr. Stanley Clawson formed a group practice with doctors Minser & Day, thereby contributing to elevating dental practices in the Eugene area to the same level of professionalism as other types of practices.
At dental society meetings, Dr. Clawson would tell everyone to turn off their cellphones and get to know the people around them. He would also remind dentists that they were not competitors, saying that he did not want their patients as he had enough for himself. He encouraged dentists who had extra patients to give them to the newer dentists.
Dr. Clawson also partnered with Dr. Brinkman and Dr. Hanson to create a store: Grape and Grain. This venture allowed Stanley to travel Europe to find items to sell in their store. He also traveled to Tibet with his wife, collecting yak butter and wine made by Monks.
During the time Grape and Grain was in business, Dr. Clawson would organize Christmas parties for the dental society, which included fancy attire and a big dinner. Grape and Grain would donate various gifts from all over the world. Dr. Clawson would emcee the event, and Dr. Burr and Dr. Carmicheal would dress up as gift-giving elves.
Outside of his dentist office, Stanley enjoyed many outdoor activities, such as helicopter skiing, windsurfing, sailing, and tennis. Later in life, he honed his skills as a woodworking craftsman.
(Information from interview with Dr. Bob Carmichael and Register Guard Obituary)
