July 22, 1933 – February 14, 2023
Drew Frederick Oldham, 89, Fishers, passed away on February 14, 2023, following a brief illness, surrounded by his large, loving family.
He was born on July 22, 1933, to Paul and Alma (Angrick) Oldham. He attended Indianapolis schools and graduated from Shortridge High School with the Class of 1951. Shortly thereafter he enrolled at Valparaiso University. In 1955, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was trained as a combat aid medic and was assigned to the Third Infantry Division on their return from Korea. Upon discharge, he returned to Valparaiso University as a Pre-Dental student, earning his BA degree in 1959. Valpo was also where met his wife-to-be, the lovely Monika Krause Grimes.
Following graduation, Drew and Monika were married. With Monika, his “encourager,” by his side, Drew then enrolled in the IU School of Dentistry. As a student he worked in the dental materials lab as a research assistant, developing a special interest in castings and dental ceramics while testing physical properties of dental cements. During this time, he co-authored two research papers of worldwide interest which were published in the Journal of the American Dental Association and the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
He graduated with honors in 1963 and became a faculty member in the Crown & Bridge Department, teaching undergraduate crown & bridge dental ceramics and removal prosthodontics.
While teaching part time in 1963, Drew began to practice dentistry with his father, Paul R. Oldham. In 1972, he left teaching to become a full-time dentist. With a radio playing jazz music softly in the background in his operatory while working on patients and doing most of his own lab work himself, Drew not only practiced in Indianapolis with his father, but also commuted to Martinsville to operate the practice of his uncle, Gale Oldham. During the late 1970s and 1980s, all three practiced together at the same time and place. All three were mentored by the famous Dr. John F. Johnston who chaired the IU School of Dentistry Crown & Bridge Department for two decades.
Dr. Oldham was asked to return to the faculty as a full-time professor to teach the school’s removable partial denture course. He considered himself approachable to his students but was a tough grader. His goal for his students was to help them learn how to practice dentistry, learn to do a job well, and they would find the profession to become easier and less stressful. The many awards he earned and that meant the most to him came from his students.
After practicing over 50 years and deriving much satisfaction in providing quality work and service for every patient, Drew retired.
In addition to his love of the dental profession, Drew enjoyed sharing his great passion of auto racing with his wife, four sons and four daughters, grandsons, and great-grandsons. Following a 1946 visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Drew attended events there every year for the next 75 years.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Monika.
Survivors include children, Gregory Drew (Elaine) Oldham, Christopher Paul (Teresa) Oldham, Jeffrey Peter (Brenda) Oldham, Deborah (Dewight) Anderson, Jennifer Oldham, Lisa Oldham, Kevin James (Rachael) Oldham, and Mary Katrina (John) Crist; grandchildren, Gabi Anderson Glaeser, Anastasia Oldham, Daniel (Courtney) Oldham, and Alek Oldham; and great-grandchildren, Graham Oldham and Calvin Oldham.
The Oldham family wants to express deep thanks to each member of the IU Health team for providing kind, caring, compassionate and professional care to Drew, and to Amy and Jennifer at Heart to Heart Hospice and Alba Johnson for all their loving efforts.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Hartley Funeral Home Cicero Chapel, 209 W. Jackson St., Cicero, with burial to follow at Cicero Cemetery. A time of visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of the services. Memorial contributions may be made to USAC Benevolent Foundation, 7177 Golden Oak, Brownsburg, IN 46112.
You may send condolences at hartleyfuneralhomes.com.