Vincent E. Urbanek
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Sunday, October 16, 2016, Dr. Vincent E. Urbanek DDS, 89, husband of 49 years to the late Betty Jane Urbanek.
Dr. Urbanek was a native of Chicago, IL but had proudly made Augusta his home for the past 46 years. He was a WWII combat veteran of the United States Navy. He obtained his Masters and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Northwestern, Class of 1951. He attended and graduated from the University Of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1957. Upon graduation, he began teaching at the U of I College of Dentistry from 1957 until 1970, when he moved to Augusta, GA, to take a teaching position at the Medical College’s newly established Dental School. He conferred the title of Professor Emeritus of Prosthodontics by the UGA Regents in 1990. He retired in 1992.
In February of 1944, as a 17 year old student at Chicago’s Farragut High School, Vince chose to drop out of school to enlist in the US Navy. Ironically, he was sent to the US Naval Training Center, located in Farragut, Idaho, instead of Great Lakes Naval Training Center, located in his hometown of Chicago. Truly a member of the Greatest Generation, Vince served in the Pacific Theater aboard the APA 205, the USS Sherburne. His officers saw the potential in him and helped him obtain his GED aboard ship while at sea. He was promoted to the ships navigation division as a Quartermaster 3/C.
Family members include his son, Vincent E. Urbanek, Jr. (Sharon), his 4 legged companion, Sadie, and many numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Patty, and son, Brian John.
A memorial service will be held at the Savannah Rapids Pavillion, White Oak Room, on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 3:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com