Dr. Keith McEwen, 79, of St. Charles, a dentist in downtown Wheaton for nearly four decades, died of heart and lung failure Wednesday, Nov. 27, in Mercy Center hospital in Aurora.
Born and raised in Oak Park, Dr. McEwen graduated from Oak Park High School in 1941, where he ran track and competed in the state semifinals.
Prior to World War II, Dr. McEwen, the son of a dentist, completed one semester at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with thoughts of becoming a surgeon. But his schooling was interrupted when he joined the Army and served as a medic in France and other parts of Europe.
“He saw a lot as a medic, by doing all the prep work, and got a real taste of what being a surgeon was like,” said his wife, Ruth. “He returned to the States, and that’s when he decided that dentistry was probably the route to go.”
After the war, Dr. McEwen attended Loyola University Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in science. He earned a medical degree from Loyola Dental School in 1952 and began his 38-year practice in Wheaton.
“His patients loved him and were very loyal to him over the years,” his wife said. “Some had moved to places like Florida, Michigan and Indiana, and still kept him as their regular dentist. They’d make it a point to schedule yearly checkups with him whenever they’d be in town.”
Dr. McEwen bred and raised Weimaraners during the 1970s and ’80s, and was a former president of the Weimaraner Club of Northern Illinois. Family members said he entered his dogs in many competitions. One dog captured the title of National Champion at a dog show in Ardmore, Okla., in 1976.
“He loved all kinds of dogs, but had a special place in his heart for Weimies,” his wife said.
In recent years, Dr. McEwen enjoyed building remote control airplanes and was a member of the Fox Valley Aero Club. He was also very active with the Wheaton Dental Society and had served as president.
“He led a very full life, filled with many interests and passions,” his wife said. “But mostly, he was just a sweet, gentle man, who led by example and with a tremendous quiet strength.”
Other survivors include two sons, Keith Jr. and Adam; a daughter, Kim Ledone; and two grandchildren.
Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2900 E. Main St., St. Charles.
