Obituaries

Edward G Holteen, age 83, of Gwynedd Estates, Ambler

He is a 1948 graduate of Ambler High School and became one of the first to be inducted into the Ambler/Wissahickon High School Hall of Fame.

Edward G Holteen, age 83, of Gwynedd Estates, Ambler PA, passed away on July 13, 2012 at Ft Washington Estates Medical Facility. 

Ned was born in Camden, NJ the son of Willard F. and Edna G Holteen. He was the devoted husband of Sylvia (Moorhead) Holteen (nee Clark). He spent his early childhood in Collingswood, NJ and later the family moved to Prospectville, PA. 

He is a 1948 graduate of Ambler High School and became one of the first to be inducted into the Ambler/Wissahickon High School Hall of Fame. In 1952 he graduated from Columbia University in New York City and then in 1956 received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Pennsylvania Dental School. He served in active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1958 and remained in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1963. He set up his dental practice in Fort Washington in 1958 and retired in 1995 after 37 years of service to the community. 

Dr. Holteen taught operative dentistry for 11 years at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of Rotary Clubs International, the American Dental Association, the Montgomery-Bucks Dental Association, the Academy of Stomatology, The Stomological Society of Philadelphia, the Christian Dental Society, and the Flying Dentists Association and a member of the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia. In 1984 Dr. Holteen was inducted as a fellow of the International College of Dentists. As a member of the Flying Dentists Association he made six mission trips to Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, and Guatemala, setting up dental clinics in those countries to treat many of the local citizens. In addition he was a member of the Fort Washington Historical Society where in 1979 he received the Heritage Award in recognition of his services to the Flying Dentists and in gratitude for his devotion and service to the local Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts in “the highest traditions of the American ideal.” As a member of the Ambler Rotary Club he served as chairman of the Student Exchange Program. 

Ned enjoyed flying, skiing, woodworking, golf, sailing and music. As a skier he was a member of the Newport Ski Club on Okemo Mountain. He loved sailing and crewed in many Newport to Bermuda sailboat races. 

Music was always a large part of his life. He was an accomplished singer and was a member of the Philadelphia Mendelssohn Club for 19 years as a well as the Mary Green Singers of Kennet Square. He also sang with the Rotary Singers and led the carol sing for the Historical Society at their annual Christmas party. Beyond his community musical endeavors, there was always music in his home. Ned was always ready with a song at every family gathering. 

He had a special place in his heart for their vacation home near Elk Mountain where he spent as much time as possible in his retirement years enjoying the great outdoors. 

He is survived by his two sons, Timothy (Maureen) of Glenville, NY and Edward Jr of Durango, Colorado. He has two step children, Michael Moorhead (Donna) of Voorhees, NJ and their daughters Alexandra and Morgan, and Meg Ann Moorhead (William Prince) of Vienna, Austria and her son Graydon. He was predeceased by his brother, Paul of Concord, MA, and sister Mary Henkles of Fort Washington, PA. 

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 10:30AM at Gwynedd Estates, 301 Norristown Rd, Ambler PA 19002. 

Donations may be sent to American Swedish Historical Museum, 900 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia PA, 19145 or The American Lung Association, 525 Plymouth Rd, Suite 315, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. 

Arrangements by Shaeff-Myers Funeral Home. 


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