By Damon Sayles, Special Contributor
PLANO -- Those who enter the home of Dr. Theodore T. Fortier may notice similar things with each visit. There's a good chance jazz music will be playing in the background, as Fortier is the quintessential jazz connoisseur.
While the music manages to captivate souls, the many pieces of art on his walls serve as instant eye candy. Displayed in his home includes everything from a spectacular painting signed by numerous icons of the jazz era to more than 25 jigsaw puzzles that he not only pieced together but also glued to form masterpieces he has hung on his walls.
The atmosphere Fortier associates himself with becomes him. It fits, considering he is a becoming individual with a remarkable story. At 84 years old, Fortier is a retired dentist of 50 years who is also a member of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., a group dedicated to preserving one of the most prestigious military organizations in history: the Tuskegee Airmen.
Overcoming adversity
Born in 1926 as the youngest of eight children, Fortier grew up in San Diego with his six brothers and sister. Fortier grew up in times when the country battled heated racial issues, and it showed as he tried applying for dental schools.
Following attending Pacific Union College and spending time in the military, he tried applying to schools such as USC, Harvard and Meharry. He eventually was accepted into the Howard University College of Dentistry.
"When Howard University accepted me," Fortier said, "it was kind of my moment of vindication where I could thumb my nose at the other schools. Those four years were the happiest time of my life."
Fortier completed postgraduate training as the class salutatorian in 1957. During the span of owning his own practice, he has met some of the world's most renowned individuals -- including quite a few of his favorite musicians.
"I have had the most famous jazz people in my office. Ray Charles was one of them," Fortier said. "I am personal friends with a lot of them; I love those cats. They brought so much joy to me when times were really tough."
In addition to maintaining his practice for five decades, he also served on boards for numerous committees and societies in California. He also won several awards for his work, the most recent a humanitarian award in 2005 given by the Academy of General Dentistry. He won the award competing against applicants throughout the United States and Canada.
Making history
Fortier had an interest in dentistry early, and following a stint in the Army -- he, like five of his brothers, was drafted -- he pursued his craft. During his two-year military obligation, he linked up with the Los Angeles Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., a group made up of many black aviators during the time of World War II. Because of Jim Crow laws and segregation, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military pilots in the armed forces.
Fortier joined the military in 1945, the final year of World War II. He concluded his military duties in 1947. Fortier said he still keeps in touch with members who are still alive.
"There aren't many of us left, but think about it: The Tuskegee Airmen started before Pearl Harbor," he said. "The first class graduated before 1941. By the time I got active, those guys were already getting up in age.
"There were a lot of blacks who wanted to be pilots, but nobody was training them. When the idea came back to form an all-black air corps, that's when you started seeing more and more respect for us."
Fortier's experience in dentistry fuels his resume, but it's the Tuskegee Airmen knowledge that tends to draw a crowd for those who know him, as well as strangers.
"I first heard Mr. Fortier speak about his experience as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II at a Rotary Club meeting," said Ed Drain, assistant chief of police in Plano. "He is a very engaging speaker and he has excellent recall, especially considering the events happened 60 years ago.
"His description of the Army Air Corps' arduous training program, along with the racism and the public scrutiny the Tuskegee Airman encountered, speaks volumes about the dedication and determination of the Tuskegee Airman," he said. "We are fortunate to have Mr. Fortier in the area to remind us of this important part of our nation's history."
Complete on: http://www.planostar.com/articles/2011/06/29/plano_star-courier/news/8987.txt
While the music manages to captivate souls, the many pieces of art on his walls serve as instant eye candy. Displayed in his home includes everything from a spectacular painting signed by numerous icons of the jazz era to more than 25 jigsaw puzzles that he not only pieced together but also glued to form masterpieces he has hung on his walls.
The atmosphere Fortier associates himself with becomes him. It fits, considering he is a becoming individual with a remarkable story. At 84 years old, Fortier is a retired dentist of 50 years who is also a member of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., a group dedicated to preserving one of the most prestigious military organizations in history: the Tuskegee Airmen.
Overcoming adversity
Born in 1926 as the youngest of eight children, Fortier grew up in San Diego with his six brothers and sister. Fortier grew up in times when the country battled heated racial issues, and it showed as he tried applying for dental schools.
Following attending Pacific Union College and spending time in the military, he tried applying to schools such as USC, Harvard and Meharry. He eventually was accepted into the Howard University College of Dentistry.
"When Howard University accepted me," Fortier said, "it was kind of my moment of vindication where I could thumb my nose at the other schools. Those four years were the happiest time of my life."
Fortier completed postgraduate training as the class salutatorian in 1957. During the span of owning his own practice, he has met some of the world's most renowned individuals -- including quite a few of his favorite musicians.
"I have had the most famous jazz people in my office. Ray Charles was one of them," Fortier said. "I am personal friends with a lot of them; I love those cats. They brought so much joy to me when times were really tough."
In addition to maintaining his practice for five decades, he also served on boards for numerous committees and societies in California. He also won several awards for his work, the most recent a humanitarian award in 2005 given by the Academy of General Dentistry. He won the award competing against applicants throughout the United States and Canada.
Making history
Fortier had an interest in dentistry early, and following a stint in the Army -- he, like five of his brothers, was drafted -- he pursued his craft. During his two-year military obligation, he linked up with the Los Angeles Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., a group made up of many black aviators during the time of World War II. Because of Jim Crow laws and segregation, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military pilots in the armed forces.
Fortier joined the military in 1945, the final year of World War II. He concluded his military duties in 1947. Fortier said he still keeps in touch with members who are still alive.
"There aren't many of us left, but think about it: The Tuskegee Airmen started before Pearl Harbor," he said. "The first class graduated before 1941. By the time I got active, those guys were already getting up in age.
"There were a lot of blacks who wanted to be pilots, but nobody was training them. When the idea came back to form an all-black air corps, that's when you started seeing more and more respect for us."
Fortier's experience in dentistry fuels his resume, but it's the Tuskegee Airmen knowledge that tends to draw a crowd for those who know him, as well as strangers.
"I first heard Mr. Fortier speak about his experience as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II at a Rotary Club meeting," said Ed Drain, assistant chief of police in Plano. "He is a very engaging speaker and he has excellent recall, especially considering the events happened 60 years ago.
"His description of the Army Air Corps' arduous training program, along with the racism and the public scrutiny the Tuskegee Airman encountered, speaks volumes about the dedication and determination of the Tuskegee Airman," he said. "We are fortunate to have Mr. Fortier in the area to remind us of this important part of our nation's history."
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