DR. SPENCER TEPE’S DEATH A LOSS TO THE PROFESSION HE HONORED AND SERVED
Then-Ohio Sen. Bill Seitz; the late Dr. Spencer Tepe; Dr. Joe Crowley, a past president of the ODA and ADA; and Dr. David Vorherr, ODA secretary, at the 2016 ODA Day at the Statehouse event.
Dr. Spencer Tepe, a general dentist in Athens, passed away tragically on Dec. 30, 2025.
“As one of his mentors and friends, I saw in Spencer skills and character that marked him as an ongoing and future leader in his dental career,” said Dr. Joe Crowley, a past president of the Ohio Dental Association and American Dental Association. “Not only a severe loss to his family and friends, his loss is very much felt inside the profession he honored and served.”
Tepe had been actively involved in organized dentistry since he was a dental student.
“Dr. Spencer Tepe highly valued organized dentistry, and began his service in dental school,” said Dr. Jimmy Zimmerman, who served as the chair of the Subcouncil on New Dentists from 2020-2023. “I worked closely with Spencer on Ohio State’s ASDA Executive Board, where he served as legislative liaison. While in dental school, Spencer even helped organize and carry-out a political fundraiser for a pro-dentistry candidate to get elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. I also spent several days with Spencer lobbying both at the Statehouse in Columbus and on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for issues affecting dentists and dental students. After graduation, Spencer stayed involved with the ODA, serving on the Subcouncil for New Dentists and on the ODPAC board. Spencer cared deeply about giving back to his profession, which was only surpassed by the love and care he had for his family. Spencer will certainly be missed as a colleague and advocate, but also as a friend, husband and father.”
Tepe earned his DDS from The Ohio State University in 2017. While in dental school, he served as American Student Dental Association District 6 & 7 legislative coordinator, president of the Hispanic Student Dental Association, Ohio Dental Political Action Committee student liaison, American Student Dental Association District 6 legislative liaison, American Student Dental Association legislative liaison and American Student Dental Association District 6 secretary. He was also a member of the Dental Entrepreneur Society and the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity.
Dr. Cindy Ellinger, Dr. Mark Soeder, the late Dr. Spencer Tepe and Dr. Lydia Lancaster at the 2019 ODA Annual Session.
In 2016, he received the first ODA Foundation Darryl Dever Advocacy Scholarship. The scholarship was created in honor of the ODA’s long-time lobbyist and is now awarded annually to one dental student who shows the highest commitment to advocacy for dentistry.
In an article in the October 2016 “ODA Today,” Tepe said he considered advocating on behalf of dentistry a personal passion.
“Advocacy has taught me how to serve an active role in democracy and challenges me to better myself as a citizen of Ohio and the United States. My involvements have only confirmed my passion for dentistry and my desire to serve my community to the best of my ability,” the late Tepe said. “I would like to extend a sincere thank you for all of your efforts in making available the first annual Darryl Dever Advocacy Scholarship. The monies awarded have directly replaced federal loans, making my education more affordable. It has been a pleasure working alongside the ODA and individuals such as Darryl in the effort to preserve the wellbeing of dentistry.”
Tepe also received The Ohio State University College of Dentistry Ambassador Award Scholarship, 2015 Award of Excellence presented by the American Student Dental Association, ASDA Gold Crown award in Legislative Initiatives (group-recipient), The Ohio State University College of Dentistry Commitment to Care Scholarship, Phi Kappa Psi National Scholarship and The Ohio State University Trustees Scholarship.
Tepe continued his involvement in organized dentistry after graduation. He served as the Central Ohio Dental Society member of the Ohio Dental Political Action (ODPAC) Board from 2018-2023 and he served on the ODA Subcouncil on New Dentists from 2019-2023.
Tepe and his wife, Monique, were survived by many family members including their two children, Emilia and Beckham Tepe. The Ohio Dental Association contacted Tepe’s family to see how anyone interested in supporting their children could help. The family has directed people to their Go Fund Me, which can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-spencer-and-moniques-children. Donations made through this link will “help provide stability and care for their children and the immediate family members who are supporting them during this time.”
ODA Executive Director David Owsiany said “in addition to being a great dentist and volunteer leader within organized dentistry, Spencer prioritized his family as a dedicated husband and father to his two beautiful children.”
