George Blue Spruce Jr., DDS, founder of the Society of American Indian Dentists, died June 3 at the age of 94.
Dr. Blue Spruce, of Laguna and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo heritage, was known as the first Native American dentist in the U.S. In addition to founding the Society of American Indian Dentists, he also served as assistant dean at the A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health in Mesa.
The Macy Foundation honored Dr. Blue Spruce with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held Oct. 4 at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.
