Milwaukee native and renowned “jazz dentist” Seymour Lefco died on Aug. 28 at age 91.
He graduated from Washington High School in 1932, and attended Marquette University. He earned a degree from the Marquette University School of Dentistry in 1937.
He practiced general dentistry in the city of Milwaukee for more than 50 years, and was a board member of the Wisconsin State Dental Society. He was known as “the jazz dentist” because many great jazz musicians sought him out for dental work. For three years, he served as an officr in the U.S. Army Dental Corps.
In addition to his dental practice, he tutored at Gaenslin School, in the Milwaukee Public Schools district. He was an avid jazz pianist and a composer, and was a member of the American Society of Composers and Publishers.
A former member of Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue and Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, he volunteered in both the Jewish and secular Milwaukee communities.
He won the B’nai B’rith Human Rights Award, served on the boards of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations and the Sherman Park Community Association.
He is survived by his wife Rachel Lefco (nee Dwoskin); daughters Nancy (Robert Ashenhurst) Levner of Chicago, and Terry (Dale) Dulberger and Laurie Swofford of Milwaukee; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Aug. 31. Burial was at Second Home Cemetery. Rabbi Yoseph Samuels officiated.
The family appreciates memorial contributions to the Children’s Outing Association or a charity of the giver’s choice.
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