Hennessy retires after 12 years
Dr. Bernard J. Hennessy talks to Gigi Marin
Texas A&M College of Dentistry bid goodbye this week to Dr. Bernard J. Hennessy, who retired after 12 years at the dental college. He was the leader of comprehensive dentistry for three years and joined the dental college in 2013 after a 27-year career in the U.S. Army Dental Corps.
Hennessy, who graduated from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, initially split his time between the general dentistry and diagnostic services departments, but transitioned to full-time work in diagnostic services, where he served in the Oral Diagnosis Clinic. He joined the newly established comprehensive dentistry department in 2019 as assistant group practice leader and clinical associate professor. Hennessy was named Dental Teacher of the Year in 2020.
“My wife and I are hoping to do some traveling, mainly to catch up with family and friends we haven’t seen in a while,” Hennessy said. “We are looking forward to a family reunion in Illinois and Michigan in early August.”
He also wants to spend more time with granddaughter Parker, who turned 10 this week, and watch more baseball.
Prior to Hennessy’s retirement party, Dr. Lily T. García, the dean, shared her thoughts about him.
“Dr. Hennessy (also a retired Army colonel) represents the type of person who serves with honor, not just his dedicated and decorated career in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, but as a respected faculty member at A&M College of Dentistry,” she said. “When the College experienced rapid change in leadership, Dr. Hennessy willingly served the college and was instrumental in stabilizing the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry. Within a relatively short period of time, he recruited, managed, and helped advance our college with a sense of calm commitment. I am proud to have worked alongside him and thankful to his leadership, which led us to recruit top-quality talent.”
Many shared their memories about Hennessy during the retirement lunch. Dr. David Murchison, clinical professor in the orthodontics and comprehensive dentistry departments and also clinical professor in the biological sciences department at the University of Texas at Dallas, read a poem he wrote about Hennessy:
Today marks a sad good-bye
As Bernie takes his leave
But the legacy now left behind
Is clear for all to see
Evergreen Park he still calls home
The Windy City so near by
With Sox and Bears to always cheer
He entered Brother Rice High
He played golf as a Crusader
And ran the hurdles, too
Then south to Champaign he drove
An Illini fan through and through
Microbiology he focused on
As health care was to be
Dentistry was calling then
With climbing grades and the DAT
Accepted now to dental’s track
Trekking to Chicago with a quest to learn
To the U of I’s hallowed halls and labs
And midnight oil to burn
He waxed and carved and diagnosed
And at the end with grades supreme
Graduation soon would find him
Wearing Army green
To the Lone Star State he soon headed
And friendly old Fort Hood
Wedding bells rang with Carolyn
And married bliss was GOOD!
Four years at Hood was time enough
Then Fort Sam for a few months
Would precede the move to Germany
Kirch-Göns … The Rock
But then the Army sent him back
With Chris now in tow
To serve at Old Fort Riley
In the Kansas fields of gold
Soon the call for more learning rung
He knew it would be good
Two years of comprehensive care
His residency at Fort Hood
He then was teacher and clinician
To keep the armor smokey
Fort Sill and those roaring cannons
With Ian born an Okey
His excellence was rewarded then
Near the district called “D.C.”
And Grace was born at Bethesda
While he practiced at Fort Meade
But teacher and the program boss
Were then in Bernie’s sights
And Fort Hood the proper place
To teach his students right
The Army now held one more move
To familiar ground they flew
The family knew Lawton, oh so well
And Fort Sill for visit two
A great career and much acclaim
Through boards and many feats
His Army days he then did end
Across the Red River he did peek
He knew that he had found his place
When Kelly called from Big D
To A&M’s Dental School to teach
Bringing young ones up to speed
And now we gather to say farewell
And praise his many deeds
For many students learned so much
From his dental expertise
The chapter here will close so soon
It’s my privilege to tell
And honor this man and family
Who served school and nation well
So, our best now to the Hennessys
As you move to something new
You’ve left a memory of excellence
And we all wish a fond adieu