Victor H. Mercer, D.D.S., M.S.D.

Victor H. Mercer, D.D.S., M.S.D., passed into eternal life on April 21, 2022. He was 93 years old. In doing so he joined his loving wife of 55 years, Carolyn Favre Mercer. After Carolyn’s passing, Dr. Mercer remarried Beatrice Todd in 2014 and they had several wonderfully happy years together.

Dr. Mercer is survived by wife Beatrice, son Victor H. Mercer, Jr. (Rangsiya Arun), grandsons Gregory (Alicia), Christopher (Jessica) and Nathen, great-grandchildren Santiago and Valencia Mercer, daughter Diana Mercer and brother John L. Mercer.

Dr. Mercer attended Shortridge High School, Wabash College and held B.S., D.D.S., and M.S.D. degrees from Indiana University.

After graduation he served in active duty with the Navy and Marine Corps for 2 years. He was stationed in Korea where he was a dental officer with the 1st Marine Air Division.

Dr. Mercer served for 35 years on the part-time faculty of the Indiana University School of Dentistry and retired as a full professor. In addition to several years of private practice, he served on the staff of the Indiana State Board of Health and retired as the Indiana State Dental Director.

Dr. Mercer lectured nationally and internationally, he co-authored 2 textbooks, including Preventive Dental Practice and had over 60 journal articles published.

Vic was awarded a Fellowship in the American and International College of Dentists.

He also was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental scholastic honorary society. Other dental organizations included Pierre Fauchard Academy for Scholastic Excellence, American Dental Association and Indiana and Indianapolis Dental Societies. He served as President of the Indianapolis District Dental Society and state president of the American College of Dentists.

During his tenure as Indiana State Dental Director he was awarded recognition for his contribution nationally to preventing dental disease by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and the State Dental Directors Association.

Upon his retirement he was recognized by the Indiana Dental Association for developing dental office infection control procedures and the use of universal infection control practice for use by dentists.

In 2009 he was awarded the prestigious title of Honor Dentist of the Year by the Indianapolis District Dental Society and Indiana Dental Association for his achievements and contributions to dentistry and dental health during his career.

His awards apart from dentistry include being elected to the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis Indians and the Indiana Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was instrumental in developing the first Minor League Baseball Chapel program while serving on this board, a ministry enabling visiting and home team baseball players to attend Christian clubhouse services before Indians Sunday games.

Dr. Mercer was active in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and later serving as a Scoutmaster while at Wabash College. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta and Delta Sigma Delta Dental social fraternities.

An avid golfer, Vic and Carolyn retired to Palm City, Florida, for 15 years and returned to Indianapolis in 2005. They joined Northminster Presbyterian Church in 1964 and resumed their membership upon returning to Indianapolis.

Contributions may be made to the Victor H. Mercer Research Fund c/o Oral Health Institute, Indiana U School of Dentistry, 1121 W. Michigan, Indpls, IN 46204, or to the church of one’s choice.

A memorial will be held this summer in Morocco, Indiana.

Arrangements are entrusted to Gerts, Windler & Keller Funeral Homes ~ Brook Chapel. 129 E. Main St., Brook, IN 47922. (219) 275-6161. www.kellerfh.com