Albert Richards, one of the world’s foremost authorities in dental radiography, died Sept. 6. He was 91.
Born in Chicago in 1917, Richards was a faculty member with the School of Dentistry for more than 40 years. He joined the school as an instructor in July 1940, was named professor of dentistry in 1959 and was the Marcus L. Ward Professor of Dentistry when he retired in 1981.
An advanced amateur photographer who was making his own color prints in the 1930s when they were a rarity, Richards focused his interest on X-ray photography and its application to dentistry, teaching himself dental radiology.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1940 from U-M, after transferring from Northwestern University, and a master’s degree in physics in 1943, also from U-M.
What many faculty, students, and staff remember most about Richards were his floral radiographs that adorn a wall on the first-floor hallway near the main lobby in the School of Dentistry building. The radiographs show the petals and inner structures of the lily, calla lily, fuchsia, daffodil, cosmos and iris. His floral radiographs have been exhibited in art galleries around the nation and featured on the cover of a 1987 Smithsonian magazine, among others. He also devised a method for making 3-D images of flowers.
His accomplishments included inventing the recessed cone X-ray head, becoming the first dental radiologist to use electron microscopy to view the internal structure of teeth, and developing a technique that shows the topography of surfaces.
Richards also developed a radiographic procedure that enables dentists and physicians to examine living tissue by layer, and a method of determining the relative location of objects hidden in the oral region. He also developed a liquid mold technique for showing the topography of surfaces that have diverse applications elsewhere, such as in determining the fingerprints of burn victims.
During his distinguished career, Richards earned numerous honors including the Meritorious Award from the Michigan Dental Association in 1972 and a special award from the Dental Society of Japan for developing the recessed cone X-ray head, which reduces stray radiation as dental X-rays are taken.
Richards authored more than 100 publications, belonged to numerous professional organizations (including serving as president of the American Academy of Oral Roentgenology), was an honorary member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon and Sigma Phi Alpha honorary societies, a consultant to the Veterans’ Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor, and editor for several professional journals. He also held patents on seven inventions. In 2001 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the School of Dentistry Alumni Society Board of Governors for his service and contributions to the School and to the dental profession.
Richards was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor where he was a tenor soloist in the choir. He was a master gardener and enjoyed plants of all types.
Richards and his wife Marian were married for 62 years. She preceded him in death, as did his sister, Alice Burlison; and his brothers, John and Elmer Richards.
He is survived by five daughters Dr. Jean Harty of Kansas City, Kathleen Richards of Ann Arbor, Susan McCutcheon of Klamath Falls, Ore., Joanne Wells of Greenville, S.C., and Jessiah Richards of Ann Arbor; grandchildren David and Brian Harty, Brodie Allyn, Heather McCutcheon, John and Emma Wells; and great-granddaughters Willow Singleton and Rowan Harty.
