Richard Thomas Conlin
1930 - 2025
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Dr. Richard Thomas Conlin, Jr., 95, of Bethel Park, PA, passed away peacefully in his home on September 28, 2025.
Dr. Conlin practiced orthodontics in Penn Hills, PA, for over 50 years, served as a member of the Mercy Hospital Cleft Palate-Craniofacial team, and lectured widely on orthodontics across the US, Canada, and Europe. An evangelist for broadening orthodontic training, he later founded LightForce America, educating hundreds of dentists, over 30 years with courses in Pittsburgh, New York City, and Palm Beach, Florida.
Born in Wilkinsburg, PA, Richard attended Central Catholic High School and graduated from Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh dental school. Subsequently, he served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy stationed in Quantico, VA., and completed his orthodontic training at WVU, Boston University, and the Kesling-Rocke Center.
Married for 61 years to his beloved wife, Eleanore (Fonzi) Conlin, he was an active member of several local Catholic parishes and served on the board of numerous civic and charitable organizations. An avid tennis player and a devoted college basketball and Pirates fan, he kept a glove in his trunk until the day he stopped driving, ever ready for an impromptu game.
To his 12,000 + patients, he was known for his excellent care and spirit of fun, running trivia games and contests in his office and hosting "The Great Orthodontic Open Tennis Tournament." To the hundreds of dentists he trained, he was a trusted and generous mentor, continuing to advise dozens of former students even after retiring in 2020. An involved member of his retirement community, he organized the praying of the rosary every Wednesday until the week before his passing.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Maryanne Conlin of Los Angeles, California and Elissa Miller (David) of Houston, PA; his grandchildren, Major Corbin A. Sherman, USAF (Shana), Alexis Sherman Logan (Morgan), and Alexander R. Milker; his great-grandchildren, Bryson Sherman, Grant Logan, and Emilia Sherman; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanore, and his brothers, Thomas and John.
A memorial mass is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard's memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans.
Dr. Conlin practiced orthodontics in Penn Hills, PA, for over 50 years, served as a member of the Mercy Hospital Cleft Palate-Craniofacial team, and lectured widely on orthodontics across the US, Canada, and Europe. An evangelist for broadening orthodontic training, he later founded LightForce America, educating hundreds of dentists, over 30 years with courses in Pittsburgh, New York City, and Palm Beach, Florida.
Born in Wilkinsburg, PA, Richard attended Central Catholic High School and graduated from Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh dental school. Subsequently, he served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy stationed in Quantico, VA., and completed his orthodontic training at WVU, Boston University, and the Kesling-Rocke Center.
Married for 61 years to his beloved wife, Eleanore (Fonzi) Conlin, he was an active member of several local Catholic parishes and served on the board of numerous civic and charitable organizations. An avid tennis player and a devoted college basketball and Pirates fan, he kept a glove in his trunk until the day he stopped driving, ever ready for an impromptu game.
To his 12,000 + patients, he was known for his excellent care and spirit of fun, running trivia games and contests in his office and hosting "The Great Orthodontic Open Tennis Tournament." To the hundreds of dentists he trained, he was a trusted and generous mentor, continuing to advise dozens of former students even after retiring in 2020. An involved member of his retirement community, he organized the praying of the rosary every Wednesday until the week before his passing.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Maryanne Conlin of Los Angeles, California and Elissa Miller (David) of Houston, PA; his grandchildren, Major Corbin A. Sherman, USAF (Shana), Alexis Sherman Logan (Morgan), and Alexander R. Milker; his great-grandchildren, Bryson Sherman, Grant Logan, and Emilia Sherman; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanore, and his brothers, Thomas and John.
A memorial mass is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard's memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans.
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