Dr. Melvin H. Amler, DDS.

Melvin H. Amler, M.S, D.D.S., 99

New York City and Somers, New York

Dr. Melvin H. Amler – dentist, biomedical researcher, author, and World War II veteran – died of natural causes February 13, 2021 just 25 days shy of his 100 ^th birthday. He was born in New York City (NYC) March 10, 1921 to Simon (Sam) Amler and Anna Raskin Amler, Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, City College of New York, and New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry. Shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked, he was commissioned by the U.S. Army in the Medical Administrative Corps (MAC) Reserve along with thousands of other medical and dental students nationwide who accelerated their coursework and headed off to war. Dr. Amler served in the Pacific Theater (Philippines) and the Japanese occupation, attaining the rank of Captain. He returned to NYU as an adjunct faculty member in histochemistry and pathobiology and opened a solo dental office in Manhattan where he practiced general dentistry for 55 years. His patients included many celebrities from television, theater, movies, and the art world. His research, which focused on extraction wound healing, bone regeneration, bone marrow transplantation, and radiation-induced transformation of blood cells, was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society.

Scholarly publications (partial list): pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Amler%20MH

He married Helene (Nini) Rosenthal Rollin of Vienna, Austria and Lausanne, Switzerland, and they had three children. He was a lover of classical music and played bassoon semi-professionally. The family enjoyed theater, opera, and skiing, as well as tennis and water sports at a weekend retreat in Putnam County, New York.

Upon his retirement at age 82, Dr. Amler became an active member of Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Post 46, and authored Midnight on Mindanao, a wartime remembrance that was well received.

Dr. Amler was predeceased by Helene (Nini) Amler his wife of 58 years, and brother Dr. Alfred B. Amler. He is survived by sister-in-law Renee Rollin, son Dr. Robert W. Amler (Dr. Sherlita Amler) of Brewster NY, daughters Caroline J. Mechanick of Manhattan, Jennifer L. Goldstein of Chicago; grandchildren James Amler (Ingrid), Destiny Gaddis (Tracey), Debbie Estrada (Enrique), Brittany Reeves, Philip Amler (Emma), Allison Amler (Michael Halfond), Jesse Mechanick (Jeein), Matthew Goldstein (Pamela), Anne, and many great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Private graveside service February 16, 2021 at Mount Eden Cemetery, Hawthorne.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Dr. Melvin H. Amler Fund at New York Medical College (nymcalumni.org/amlerfund) or your choice.

HAWTHORNE FUNERAL HOME

21 West Stevens Ave.

Hawthorne, New York 10532

914-769-4404