The email message was rather shocking because I did not know that Hal was ailing:
Hi Dr. Swartzendruber,
I wanted to inform you of Dr. Hal Huggins passing on
Saturday 11-29-14. He passed away peacefully in his home, and is free of any
pain and suffering. I have attached the obituary and service details. We
appreciate all of the love and support that we have received, and do ask for
patience for return calls and emails at this time. If you would like to send
condolences, you are welcome to email or send cards to the office at 5082 List
Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
Sincerely,
The obituary that was attached reads:
Dr. Hal Huggins passed away peacefully at his Colorado
Springs home Saturday, November 29, 2014. He was 77.
Dr. Huggins rightfully earned the title of "Elder
Statesman" of Holistic Dentistry. He is also known as a leading pioneer
and the "Grand Father" of identifying and treating medical problems
caused by toxic dental materials.
Dr. Huggins received his DDS degree over 50 years ago at the
University of Nebraska and practiced for decades in Colorado Springs.
Continuing his education in 1990, he received his post-doc master's degree from
the University of Colorado.
He presented over 2500 lectures in 47 of the US States and
16 foreign countries. He authorized many books, wrote over 50 articles and gave
over 1000 radio/TV interviews, including 60 Minutes Australia (1989) and 60
Minutes New Zealand (2007).
As founder of the Multi-Discipline Alliance of Professionals
he ensured continuing education for dentists desiring to learn the Huggins
dental protocol. Training includes helping their patients avoid and recover
from ailments caused by harmful dental procedures.
Dr. Huggins was a caring and sensitive man who dedicated his
life's work to helping humanity. He was loved by his patients, professional
colleagues and staff for his compassion, generosity and willingness to give of
himself.
His greatest joy was helping those on their quest to recover
from the many degenerative diseases caused by silver (mercury) fillings and
heavy metal toxicity from other dental materials.
He is survived by his three children, David Huggins and
Elizabeth "Chip" Huggins, both of Colorado Springs, and Holden
"Denny" Conover of Alaska; two grandchildren, Patricia and Michael
Conover; and one great grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6,
2014 at 1:00 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive,
Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Toxic
Element Research Foundation (TERF), 5082 List Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
_________________________________________________________________________________
I first met Hal when he came to my office at CU-Colorado Springs to inquire about my course on immunology. I did not know him from Adam and I had never of the 'amalgam wars' that I wrote about here. Thus, I was a bit taken aback when Hal began to explain that dental fillings are approximately 50% mercury - like most folks, I had presumed that since they are called 'silver' fillings that they were indeed mainly silver. Wrong. Amalgams generally contain around 20% silver, 50% mercury, and the remainder being other miscellaneous metals. I immediately had to think "This is crazy" because I was well aware of the toxic effects of mercury.
Hal enrolled in the immunology course and then went on to take other relevant courses, eventually fulfilling the requirements to earn a master's degree. I could probably write a short novel about all of the adventures related to working with Hal, but that will have to wait for another day. Hal was a complex person, part dentist, part anti-amalgam evangelist, part self-promoter, and a large part caring health care provider. I will close with the thoughtful remarks of a former student, to which I add "Amen" and Godspeed HAH.
Hal
was an interesting person, and his work an important example of science in
action. Dr. Huggins' willingness to test his apparently common sense
hypotheses in the glaring light of international scientific debate suggests not
only personal courage, but also a dedication to the search for truth through
the use of the scientific method that can be very difficult to find in a world
that often seems to be immersed in apparent self serving propaganda.
As a
person who has participated in numerous invasive human research studies, my
experience with Dr. Huggins was that he appeared to be focused upon the
collection of viable data and its objective analysis rather than the
advancement of his own point of view or personal status.
Dr. Hal Huggins passed away peacefully at his Colorado Springs home Saturday, November 29, 2014. He was 77.
Dr. Huggins rightfully earned the title of "Elder Statesman" of Holistic Dentistry. He is also known as a leading pioneer and the "Grand Father" of identifying and treating medical problems caused by toxic dental materials.
Dr. Huggins received his DDS degree over 50 years ago at the University of Nebraska and practiced for decades in Colorado Springs. Continuing his education in 1990, he received his post-doc master's degree from the University of Colorado.
He presented over 2500 lectures in 47 of the US States and 16 foreign countries. He authorized many books, wrote over 50 articles and gave over 1000 radio/TV interviews, including 60 Minutes Australia (1989) and 60 Minutes New Zealand (2007).
As founder of the Multi-Discipline Alliance of Professionals he ensured continuing education for dentists desiring to learn the Huggins dental protocol. Training includes helping their patients avoid and recover from ailments caused by harmful dental procedures.
Dr. Huggins was a caring and sensitive man who dedicated his life's work to helping humanity. He was loved by his patients, professional colleagues and staff for his compassion, generosity and willingness to give of himself.
His greatest joy was helping those on their quest to recover from the many degenerative diseases caused by silver (mercury) fillings and heavy metal toxicity from other dental materials.
He is survived by his three children, David Huggins and Elizabeth "Chip" Huggins, both of Colorado Springs, and Holden "Denny" Conover of Alaska; two grandchildren, Patricia and Michael Conover; and one great grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Toxic Element Research Foundation (TERF), 5082 List Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=hal-huggins&pid=173352946&fhid=6097#sthash.HG3P29Wc.dpuf
Dr. Huggins rightfully earned the title of "Elder Statesman" of Holistic Dentistry. He is also known as a leading pioneer and the "Grand Father" of identifying and treating medical problems caused by toxic dental materials.
Dr. Huggins received his DDS degree over 50 years ago at the University of Nebraska and practiced for decades in Colorado Springs. Continuing his education in 1990, he received his post-doc master's degree from the University of Colorado.
He presented over 2500 lectures in 47 of the US States and 16 foreign countries. He authorized many books, wrote over 50 articles and gave over 1000 radio/TV interviews, including 60 Minutes Australia (1989) and 60 Minutes New Zealand (2007).
As founder of the Multi-Discipline Alliance of Professionals he ensured continuing education for dentists desiring to learn the Huggins dental protocol. Training includes helping their patients avoid and recover from ailments caused by harmful dental procedures.
Dr. Huggins was a caring and sensitive man who dedicated his life's work to helping humanity. He was loved by his patients, professional colleagues and staff for his compassion, generosity and willingness to give of himself.
His greatest joy was helping those on their quest to recover from the many degenerative diseases caused by silver (mercury) fillings and heavy metal toxicity from other dental materials.
He is survived by his three children, David Huggins and Elizabeth "Chip" Huggins, both of Colorado Springs, and Holden "Denny" Conover of Alaska; two grandchildren, Patricia and Michael Conover; and one great grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Toxic Element Research Foundation (TERF), 5082 List Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=hal-huggins&pid=173352946&fhid=6097#sthash.HG3P29Wc.dpuf
Dr. Hal Huggins passed away peacefully at his Colorado Springs home Saturday, November 29, 2014. He was 77.
Dr. Huggins rightfully earned the title of "Elder Statesman" of Holistic Dentistry. He is also known as a leading pioneer and the "Grand Father" of identifying and treating medical problems caused by toxic dental materials.
Dr. Huggins received his DDS degree over 50 years ago at the University of Nebraska and practiced for decades in Colorado Springs. Continuing his education in 1990, he received his post-doc master's degree from the University of Colorado.
He presented over 2500 lectures in 47 of the US States and 16 foreign countries. He authorized many books, wrote over 50 articles and gave over 1000 radio/TV interviews, including 60 Minutes Australia (1989) and 60 Minutes New Zealand (2007).
As founder of the Multi-Discipline Alliance of Professionals he ensured continuing education for dentists desiring to learn the Huggins dental protocol. Training includes helping their patients avoid and recover from ailments caused by harmful dental procedures.
Dr. Huggins was a caring and sensitive man who dedicated his life's work to helping humanity. He was loved by his patients, professional colleagues and staff for his compassion, generosity and willingness to give of himself.
His greatest joy was helping those on their quest to recover from the many degenerative diseases caused by silver (mercury) fillings and heavy metal toxicity from other dental materials.
He is survived by his three children, David Huggins and Elizabeth "Chip" Huggins, both of Colorado Springs, and Holden "Denny" Conover of Alaska; two grandchildren, Patricia and Michael Conover; and one great grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Toxic Element Research Foundation (TERF), 5082 List Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=hal-huggins&pid=173352946&fhid=6097#sthash.TKClLEFb.dpuf
Dr. Huggins rightfully earned the title of "Elder Statesman" of Holistic Dentistry. He is also known as a leading pioneer and the "Grand Father" of identifying and treating medical problems caused by toxic dental materials.
Dr. Huggins received his DDS degree over 50 years ago at the University of Nebraska and practiced for decades in Colorado Springs. Continuing his education in 1990, he received his post-doc master's degree from the University of Colorado.
He presented over 2500 lectures in 47 of the US States and 16 foreign countries. He authorized many books, wrote over 50 articles and gave over 1000 radio/TV interviews, including 60 Minutes Australia (1989) and 60 Minutes New Zealand (2007).
As founder of the Multi-Discipline Alliance of Professionals he ensured continuing education for dentists desiring to learn the Huggins dental protocol. Training includes helping their patients avoid and recover from ailments caused by harmful dental procedures.
Dr. Huggins was a caring and sensitive man who dedicated his life's work to helping humanity. He was loved by his patients, professional colleagues and staff for his compassion, generosity and willingness to give of himself.
His greatest joy was helping those on their quest to recover from the many degenerative diseases caused by silver (mercury) fillings and heavy metal toxicity from other dental materials.
He is survived by his three children, David Huggins and Elizabeth "Chip" Huggins, both of Colorado Springs, and Holden "Denny" Conover of Alaska; two grandchildren, Patricia and Michael Conover; and one great grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Toxic Element Research Foundation (TERF), 5082 List Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=hal-huggins&pid=173352946&fhid=6097#sthash.TKClLEFb.dpuf
Dr. Hal Huggins passed away peacefully at his Colorado Springs home Saturday, November 29, 2014. He was 77.
Dr. Huggins rightfully earned the title of "Elder Statesman" of Holistic Dentistry. He is also known as a leading pioneer and the "Grand Father" of identifying and treating medical problems caused by toxic dental materials.
Dr. Huggins received his DDS degree over 50 years ago at the University of Nebraska and practiced for decades in Colorado Springs. Continuing his education in 1990, he received his post-doc master's degree from the University of Colorado.
He presented over 2500 lectures in 47 of the US States and 16 foreign countries. He authorized many books, wrote over 50 articles and gave over 1000 radio/TV interviews, including 60 Minutes Australia (1989) and 60 Minutes New Zealand (2007).
As founder of the Multi-Discipline Alliance of Professionals he ensured continuing education for dentists desiring to learn the Huggins dental protocol. Training includes helping their patients avoid and recover from ailments caused by harmful dental procedures.
Dr. Huggins was a caring and sensitive man who dedicated his life's work to helping humanity. He was loved by his patients, professional colleagues and staff for his compassion, generosity and willingness to give of himself.
His greatest joy was helping those on their quest to recover from the many degenerative diseases caused by silver (mercury) fillings and heavy metal toxicity from other dental materials.
He is survived by his three children, David Huggins and Elizabeth "Chip" Huggins, both of Colorado Springs, and Holden "Denny" Conover of Alaska; two grandchildren, Patricia and Michael Conover; and one great grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Toxic Element Research Foundation (TERF), 5082 List Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=hal-huggins&pid=173352946&fhid=6097#sthash.TKClLEFb.dpu
Dr. Huggins rightfully earned the title of "Elder Statesman" of Holistic Dentistry. He is also known as a leading pioneer and the "Grand Father" of identifying and treating medical problems caused by toxic dental materials.
Dr. Huggins received his DDS degree over 50 years ago at the University of Nebraska and practiced for decades in Colorado Springs. Continuing his education in 1990, he received his post-doc master's degree from the University of Colorado.
He presented over 2500 lectures in 47 of the US States and 16 foreign countries. He authorized many books, wrote over 50 articles and gave over 1000 radio/TV interviews, including 60 Minutes Australia (1989) and 60 Minutes New Zealand (2007).
As founder of the Multi-Discipline Alliance of Professionals he ensured continuing education for dentists desiring to learn the Huggins dental protocol. Training includes helping their patients avoid and recover from ailments caused by harmful dental procedures.
Dr. Huggins was a caring and sensitive man who dedicated his life's work to helping humanity. He was loved by his patients, professional colleagues and staff for his compassion, generosity and willingness to give of himself.
His greatest joy was helping those on their quest to recover from the many degenerative diseases caused by silver (mercury) fillings and heavy metal toxicity from other dental materials.
He is survived by his three children, David Huggins and Elizabeth "Chip" Huggins, both of Colorado Springs, and Holden "Denny" Conover of Alaska; two grandchildren, Patricia and Michael Conover; and one great grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80917.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Toxic Element Research Foundation (TERF), 5082 List Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=hal-huggins&pid=173352946&fhid=6097#sthash.TKClLEFb.dpu
The most painful dental procedure I have to endure is the removal of green from my wallet.
ReplyDeleteWould love for you to recount any stories of your adventures with Dr. Huggins! As the comment said, he was certainly a scientist of great integrity, seeking to measure effectiveness by the patient's health and not by the "standard of care" for which I will be forever grateful!
ReplyDeleteAnon - I am getting started, so it should appear down the road a bit. Feel free to share you own if you would like.
ReplyDeleteDr. Hal Huggins saved my life back in 2003.
ReplyDeleteI was suffering from an acute case of mercury poisoning, from having my silver fillings removed improperly.
He was an interesting and all around great person.
I pray his work will live on somehow.
May he rest in peace.
Anon - thanks for your comment. I have heard many, many similar stories. As was mentioned at his memorial, Hal did it 'his way' and others are following his path.
ReplyDelete