Dr. W. Robert Biddington
Dr. W. Robert Biddington, age 79, of Loch Haven Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia, died Wednesday, December 15, 2004, in Ruby Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Biddington was born on March 30, 1925, in Piedmont, West Virginia, to Sadie Margaret Vogtman Biddington and William Marshall Biddington.
Dr. Biddington graduated from Piedmont High School in 1942. He attended Potomac State College and Hampden-Sydney College and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from West Virginia University. In June of 1948, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery Dental School and University of Maryland.
Dr. Biddington was on active duty with the United States Navy for four years from 1943 to 1946 and 1948-49.
Dr. Biddington joined the faculty of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry on July 1, 1959, as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Endodontics. He was engaged in full-time teaching, research and service for seven years and in 1966 he was appointed to the position of Assistant Dean. On July 1, 1968, he was named Dean of the WVU School of Dentistry and served in this position for 23 years until July 1, 1991. During this period, Dr. Biddington also held the positions of West Virginia University Interim Provost/Vice President for Academics Affairs (1979-80) and Interim Vice President for Health Sciences (1981-82). On July 1, 1991, he was appointed to the position of Vice President of the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia University.
Dr. Biddington was Dean Emeritus of the WVU School of Dentistry and continued to serve the University as a part-time Associate Vice President for Health Sciences.
Dr. Biddington is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dolores E. Berrett Biddington; one son, Dr. William Berrett Biddington and his wife, Dr. Carol Mousseau Biddington, of Uniontown, Pa.; two grandchildren: William Marshall Biddington and Matthew Scott Biddington; one sister, Dorothy Elizabeth of Pocomoke City, Maryland; and one sister-in-law, Kathleen Maggio of Baltimore, Maryland.
Friends will be received at the FRED L. JENKINS FUNERAL HOME, 10 South High Street, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 (304-296-6446) today, December 19, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.
He will then lie in state in SAINT MARY’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 3344 University Avenue, Morgantown, on Monday, December 20, from 9 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Father Dean Borgmeyer as Celebrant.
Donations in memory of Dr. Biddington may be made to the WVU Foundation, Post Office Box 4533, Morgantown, WV 26504-4533 designated for Dr. and Mrs. W. Robert Biddington for Library Endowment Fund.