IN MEMORIAM

B. Holly Broadbent, SK (1894~1977’)

0 n December 23, 1977, B. Holly Broadbent died at the age of 83. Dr.
Broadbent achieved a unique position because his name became synonymous with a
scientific technique, cephalometric roentgenography. He became a legend in his own
time. If he had done nothing but design the cephalometer, his contribution would have
earned him a secure place in the history of our specialty and profession. But this was only
the beginning. Dr. Broadbent saw the need to accumulate serial head films on a large
sample of developing individuals, and these were later to be the basis of his own epochal
publications. Also, his generosity with his material to his colleagues at other graduate
centers led to many of the basic papers that have helped form the present-day concepts of
growth and development. The accumulation and organization of the roentgenographic
evidence at the Bolton Study of Case Western Reserve University is the most comprehen-
sive collection available in the world today.
When one reviews the research efforts of Dr. Broadbent, one might assume that this
was an all-consuming endeavor, but such was not the case. He did not closet himself in an
ivory tower; he maintained a full-time practice in the field of clinical orthodontics for more
than four decades. Dr. Broadbent’s contention was that, to be significant, cephalometrics
must be applicable to the needs of clinical orthodontics, and he directed his energy toward
this end as well as toward research. No man had the reputation of being more intellectually
honest with his material than he, and it was often said that he kept us all honest. His
painstaking research methods were justly appreciated in both the profession and its related
fields.
His teaching activity at Case Western Reserve University perhaps received less than its
deserved recognition. The undergraduate professional students, as well as the graduate
orthodontic students, received the benefit of his scholarly and well-illustrated pre-
sentations. His lectures and demonstrations at various component and national orthodontic
meetings were always stellar productions.
He received many honors with the passing of the years. The distinguished Albert H.
Ketcham Memorial Award of the American Association of Orthodontists was bestowed in
1944. Northwestern University honored him as one of the truly great scientists of the first
half of the twentieth century with its Centennial Award in 195 1. In 1952 he received the
Callahan Award, and in 1966 the Centennial Citation from the Ohio State Dental Society.
In 1954 Dr. Broadbent was awarded an Honorary D.D.O. degree, Royal Faculty of
Physicians and Surgeons, University of Glasgow, Scotland, and he was named Honorary
President of the Twelfth International Dental Congress of the International Dental Federa-
tion meeting in Italy in 1957. The Great Lakes Society bestowed its Distinguished Service
Award in 1965. In 1966 Dr. Broadbent was made an Honorary Fellow in Dental Surgery
of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. In 1976 he was made an Honorary Member
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Volume 73
Number 5
In memoriam 581

B. Holly Broadbent, Sr.

of the American Association of Orthodontists. These major awards-by no means the

only ones-only begin to tell the story.
The truly great are more than just proficient in their chosen fields, and Dr. Broadbent
was no exception. His good judgment prevailed in the selection of his lovely wife,
Bemice. She was a truly remarkable woman-a woman who had the temerity to exercise
some restraint over the famous Broadbent strong will and yet was equally capable of
encouraging him to scale the pinnacle of his profession. Together they shared the joy of
three daughters, Ann, Jane, and Marian Frances, and a son, Holly, Jr., as well as fourteen
grandchildren.
One might ask how Dr. Broadbent managed to have the time to contribute so much to
the profession and yet have the energy and will to embrace the Boy Scout movement to the
extent that he received the highly esteemed Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Ser-
vice. Yes, he was truly a many-faceted individual.
B. Holly Broadbent’s life has spanned the major part of the scientific advance of
modem-day orthodontics, and in this era he must be considered one of the giants. Few
men will ever have the impact that this humble man has had. It would be well for us all to
reflect for a moment the debt we all owe him, one that we can never repay. The world is
richer today for having enjoyed the presence of this truly great man.
Robert R. McGonagle, D.D.S.