DR. IRWIN
SMALL, 89, of
Bloomfield
Township, died
Sept. 23, 2016.
Irwin grew up
in Tarrytown,
N.Y. He received
Small
his undergradu-
ate degree from
the University of
Michigan, his dental degree from
Columbia University and his oral
surgery diploma from Washington
University in St. Louis.
He served in the U.S. Army Air
Force. He had been a member of
the University of Michigan football
team, which was crowned national
champions after beating U.S.C.
49-0 in the 1947-48 Rose Bowl. He
also was on the wrestling team.
Dr. Small worked at the Bloom
Clinic for several years, and in
the early ’60s, he and Dr. Thomas
Torgerson started the first oral sur-
gery practice in the Birmingham-
Bloomfield area. During this
period, he invented the Mandibular
Staple dental implant, which
improved the quality of life for
many people. He also participated
in two medical-dental missions
with Project Hope.
He retired after 38 years and
began wintering in Florida. More
recently, he attended the Dorothy
and Peter Brown Senior Center.
After that, two special caregivers,
Sharon Perry and Laurie Hill, took
wonderful care of him at home.
Dr. Small is survived by his wife
and soulmate of 63 years, Susan
Linial Small; his children and their
spouses, Jill and Craig Sanders,
Richard and Missy Small, Robin
and David Landry, and Karen
Small; grandchildren, Michelle
and Brian Landry, Michael and
Stephanie Sanders, Randi and
Robbie Small; his brother and
sister-in-law, Gilbert and Rosalie
Small; sister, Lois Langelier; sister-
in-law and brother-in-law, Lois and
Arthur Perlmutter; many loving
nieces and nephews.
Interment was at Clover Hill
Park Cemetery. Contributions may
be made to Hospice of Michigan,
400 Mack Ave., Detroit, MI
48201, www.hom.org/donations;
Alzheimer’s Association-Greater
Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph
Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI
48033, www.alz.org/gmc; or Jewish
Hospice & Chaplaincy Network,
6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield,
MI 48322, www.jewishhospice.
org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

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