Dr. Edward Sommers of Fairport, NY, passed away peacefully at the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center May 6, 2025, following complications from heart disease.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Linda; his son, Ryan; his daughter, Heidi Molinari (Tim); and his grandchildren, Ember and Reid. He was predeceased by his parents, Hilda and Edward Sommers, and his brother, Glenn. He is also survived by his brother, David Sommers (Maureen); his sister, Lynn Geib (Richard); and many nieces, nephews, colleagues, and friends.
Born on December 27, 1946, in Millvale, Pennsylvania, Dr. Sommers earned his undergraduate degree from Duquesne University in 1968 and received his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972.
He served as a general dentist in the U.S. Air Force, with posts at Travis AFB (CA), Kunsan Air Base (South Korea), and Plattsburgh AFB (NY), retiring as a Major in 1976.
Following his military career, Dr. Sommers completed his specialty training in orthodontics at Eastman Dental Center in 1978. He went on to establish a respected orthodontic practice with offices in Pittsford and Rush, NY. In addition to his private practice, he was deeply engaged in academic dentistry as a practicing orthodontist with the University of Rochester and served as Associate Clinical Professor at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health.
Dr. Sommers was a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, a former member of the International College of Dentists, and participated in numerous professional and academic organizations. He lectured internationally, published in peer-reviewed journals, and received the Eastman Dental Center Excellence in Teaching Award. Over the course of his academic career, he helped train more than 200 orthodontic residents—work that remained among his proudest contributions.
He had a deep appreciation for Mediterranean culture and cuisine, and enjoyed cooking, reading, and cycling. Known for his professionalism, precision, and quiet integrity, Dr. Sommers left a lasting impact on the field of orthodontics and in the lives of those he cared for, mentored and inspired.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Eastman Institute for Oral Health Department of Orthodontics, 625 Elmwood Avenue Rochester, NY 14642.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15th, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Road Fairport, NY 14450.
Services will be held Friday, May 16th at 10am at the All Seasons Chapel at White Haven Memorial Park, 210 Marsh Road, Pittsford, NY 14534.
45 responses to “Sommers, Dr. Edward”
An incredible man and a beautifully written obituary. Holding you all in my heart!
Condolences and love sent to Ryan and the entire family. Sending light and healing prayers at this difficult time.
Deepest condolences to the Sommers family. My prayers are with your family.
Dear Linda, Heidi & Ryan, Even though Ed is not here his light still shines within you & leaves beautiful memories. “When the world feels dark remember that the love you have for each other is stronger than anything else.” May God bring you comfort & peace.
Dear Linda, Heidi, Ryan and family and friends,
Our sincere sympathy on the loss of Ed! May the many memories of happier times flood your hearts in the days ahead. May he rest in eternal peace!
Dear Linda and family,
Our most sincere heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. We loved and cherished Dr. Sommers’ presence here at Eastman. His loss is felt deeply far and wide!
Love, Linda Stauber
My deepest condolences to the Sommers family. I am so saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved teacher from my time at Eastman as a resident a few years ago. We were both graduates of Pitt and Eastman and always had so much to talk and reminisce about. So many of Dr. Sommers’ lessons are still so clear in my mind even years later. He was a beautiful person and an excellent orthodontist. I am privileged and proud to have learned from him.
Dr. Sommers left a lasting mark on both our personal and professional lives. He was an exceptional mentor, a true role model, and a genuinely wonderful human. His legacy will continue to inspire us. Our deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the Sommers family.
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I am forever grateful for his expertise in orthodontics in instructing me on how to become a talented practitioner. He had a compassionate spirit and it was a pleasure to be able to study under his direction. You all are in my prayers as you celebrate his life.
He was one of the best mentor, teacher and general human being I ever had the privilege of knowing. His continued pursuit of knowledge was infections, and inspired many of orthodontists over the years. He will be missed, but never forgotten, a truly remarkable man.
Dear Linda,
May I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Dr. Sommers — a remarkable mentor, a brilliant orthodontist, and above all, an extraordinary human being.
As one of his students, I had the distinct privilege of learning under his guidance. Dr.Sommers was the epitome of precision, always emphasizing the highest standards in diagnosis and treatment planning. His meticulous attention to detail, calm humility, and generous spirit shaped not only my professional foundation but that of countless other graduate students. His impact on all of us who had the honor of being trained by him was profound.He lifted us, challenged us, and inspired us to reach new heights.
If you are in the field of orthodontics, you will truly appreciate the kind of educator he was,one who would leave you with a whole page of hand-written instructions for the fabrication of a Herbst appliance. That was Dr. Sommers: thoughtful, thorough, and completely committed to excellence.
Beyond his clinical brilliance, Dr. Sommers was a deeply cultured individual with a true passion for food, wine, history, and languages. Conversations with him extended far beyond orthodontics, enriching our lives intellectually and personally. He raised the bar of what it means to be an orthodontic mentor and became a pillar of excellence at the University of Rochester and the Eastman Institute for Oral Health. His legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of our orthodontic family.
We have lost a giant, a mentor whose wisdom, kindness, and dedication will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to Linda and your beautiful family during this time. May Dr. Sommers rest in eternal peace.
Nader Ehsani- San Diego, California
I will forever remember Dr. Sommers as a leader and one of the most talented Orthodontists I have ever met. I feel privileged to have been trained by him and forever feel fortunate to have been his student. My most sincere condolences to the Sommers family. Rest in peace Dr. Sommers ❤️
I had the privilege to know Dr Sommers during my training in Eastman
He was a great teacher and mentor
I loved of him the passion for my country …Italy
God bless you Ed
Dr. Sommers was a very kind and humble human being and an exceptionally talented Orthodontist. His love of life, Orthodontia, teaching, culture, food and languages was infectious. I learned so much from him and owe him beyond words can express. May you rest in Peace Dr. Sommers. You will be truly missed. Our love and well wishes to all his family and loved ones.
Dr. sommers a true pioneer and mentor in the field of orthodontics and our school . His dedication to advancing our specialty and shaping future generations of orthodontists leaves an enduring legacy. He was an excellent person and compassionate educator who inspired excellence and integrity in all who had the privilege of knowing and learning from him. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.”
Dear Linda,Ryan and Heidi
It is a very very sad news that Edward passed !
I am looking all your Beatiful family pictures and my memory goes back to a fantastic time I had the pleasure to spent with him.
Edward …, Prof Sommers has been one of my best mentor or better “ my mentor “ during my ortho residency at Eastman. He was an incredible clinician, a mentor and great fantastic orthodontist . All residents loved Prof Sommers! And we all in some way tried to imitate him .
Edwards was also a great friend
He loved Italy, the Italian colture .. food and languages and his colture and curiosity to learn was magnificent.
I had the pleasure to visit his home to share the pleasure of a real Italian dinner and wine. When I return to Italy Edward came several time to visit me and my family …, we share fantastic time and moments.
how fast time goes by but I always remember him
Many years passed but my memory
Dear Linda, Davey, and Lynn – You have my heartfelt sympathy on Sonny’s passing. During times of loss, we realize the fleeting period we are on this Earth. Words are so limiting, but I hope you hear the words I cannot speak. And even though Sonny was a “Sommers,” he looks so much like Grandpap Snyder and my Dad. One of my fondest childhood memories is of our family riding in the open back of pick-up trucks to Uncle Al’s camp for an annual summer picnic. That is how I will remember Sonny – a young “James Dean” – swimming in the Allegheny River as we all got into one kind of trouble or another. I hope he is reliving those good times in heaven with our grandparents, parents, and siblings who have gone before us. He will forever watch over all of you from the twinkling stars in heaven. With deep affection and sympathy, Lisa (Snyder Santosusso)
Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dr.Sommers. He was not only an incredible teacher and orthodontist, but also a truly kind and compassionate soul who always put his patients and their families first. I feel so proud and grateful to have learned from him, his wisdom, warmth, and quiet strength will always stay with me. He made a lasting difference in so many lives.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his beloved family.
I am sorry to hear of Dr. Sommers passing. I am forever grateful for his mentorship at Eastman and he will be sorely missed.
I am saddened by the passing of Dr. Sommers. His technical skill as a clinician and compassion and humility as a person made him a treasure to work with throughout my Residency. Ed could always be counted on to take the time to not only teach, but help in ways that insured that the lessons learned were long lasting and useful during one’s career in Orthodontics. His approachability made him unique, he had the uncanny ability to teach in a way that made you feel like he appreciated you for having asked him questions. There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t still use some of Ed’s “pearls” in my clinical practice. My heartfelt condolences go out to Ed’s family, and to the Eastman Orthodontic Center that he helped build and nurture.
Sending you all our deepest condolences to your entire family. Dr.Sommers will be deeply missed. I’m so fortunate to have known him for so many years. He touched many lives personally and professionally. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Truly an Eastman Legend.
Dr. Sommers will be greatly missed.
Copied from my Facebook post today ♥
My brother and I were both born with cleft lip and palate which required many, many years of orthodontic care, starting at a very young age (somewhere around 4). The two orthodontists that cared for us became world renowned in their work and besides having a thriving practice in Pittsford, NY, they were both incredible professors at Eastman Institute for Oral Health. Dr. JD Subtelny passed away several years ago and this week, Dr. Edward Sommers. They both cared so much for us as kids with 15 years of treatment and then well into adulthood when things were needed (we STILL need special treatment for our condition). Rest In Eternal Peace, Dr. Sommers ♥
Dear Linda,
So Sorry to hear about Ed. We have fond memories of our time together in our residency. He was a great classmate. Shared his wire bending skills, his knowledge. The times outside of classes with you and Ed. The times in Toronto. Those were unforgettable. We will miss him.
So very sorry for your loss, Heidi. Please extend my heartfelt condolences to your Mother and brother, your husband and your two sweet children. God goes with you all.
Nancy Gee
Dr. Sommers, you were an outstanding mentor and the best conversationalist. I will miss our talks about spaniard tapas, good wines and a well made pasta. Thank you for sharing and teaching all of your passions, – personal and professional-. Rest in peace doctor.
My deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the Sommers family.
I still remember the first days I have started as a new faculty. I immediately noticed the passion Dr. Sommers had for orthodontics. After few conversations, I realized he teaches one of my favorite books and uses the same system I use. I felt we speak the same language…the MBT language! He welcomed me, accepted and taught me.
He had all residents gathering around him while he explain his comprehensive diagnosis. Everyone then becomes quiet waiting for the treatment plan and you can feel the suspense between the residents. Finally he says the treatment plan and you feel like a great orthodontist if it matched your treatment plan. Great orthodontist and a role model!
Not only orthodontics excited him, but food. He enjoyed cooking Italian food and had the best recipes for Italian food.
He always shared his knowledge with everyone to his best. I consider myself lucky that I had the pleasure learning from him as a junior faculty.
Clinic will not be the same without you.
Linda, Ryan, Heidi & Tim, Ember & Reid…
Saddened to hear of Ed’s passing. Remember visits where Ed shared his Italian cuisine… his love of Pittsburgh sports…
Take care..my deepest sympathies and love to you all.
Love Gert
Dear Linda & family ,we are so sorry for your loss, sendinhing prayers and condolences to you..God Bless …Mike & Mary Billitier..
Dear Linda and Family. Dr Somers taught us soooooo much. No wonder Papa Subtelny picked him to join his practice:-)
Love and prayers
Mario
Dr. Sommers was a remarkable teacher, mentor and faculty member. He had an extraordinary memory and a genuine gift for understanding people, always making residents and patients feel seen, heard and valued. To me, he will always be remembered as a gentle giant—kind, compassionate and a true legend in the field of orthodontics. He will be dearly missed and I feel so grateful that I learned so much from him. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family.
Rest in Peace Kekule
I was a patient of his he did my braces so sorry for his loss
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in Dr. Sommers’ passing.
We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.
So sorry for your families loss.
I have many wonderful memories of Ed, first as the quiet gentle professor who cared deeply for the residents and patients and then as a fellow faculty member. I fondly remember Ed and I driving to the local tickemaster, when I was a second year resident, to pick up tickets to the last Bills AFC championship in ’94 at Rich Stadium when they beat KC. Ed, a fellow resident and my father went together. What a time. Ed was from Pittsburgh and he was a huge Pirate fan, as was I. We had great conversations about the fantastic Pirate teams of the 60’s and 70’s! He really taught so much and made the residency such a wonderful place to learn.
Ed was such a wonderful orthodontist and friend. He was so very kind to patients and did such beautiful work. He was knowledgeable, considerate and unfailingly polite…always keeping in mind what patients and families could tolerate. He also had a great sense of humor! When we talked about cases together, he had some fun stories about his time in the USAF. My condolences to his family… he was so very proud of all of you.
I was not his patient and he was not my mentor but he was my friend ,a lifelong friend.Ed and I developed our friendship as students at St Ann’s grade school in Millvale and later in high school at North Catholic. I fondly remember the hours we spent playing touch football and basketball in front of his family home on Lawrence St in Millvale. Ed was an exceptional individual who when he developed an interest, he would embrace it and immerse himself in it fully. I think that is what made him such a good doctor and a great teacher. Ed enjoyed his patients and students as much as they enjoyed him. Linda , Dave , Lynn and kids please accept my sincere condolences. May Ed rest in peace. He will be missed.
I was so saddened to hear of Ed’’s recent passing.. He was truly in a class all by himself. He was a wonderful teacher, mentor, and clinician. I loved discussing many aspects of patient care and treatment planning for mutual patients with him. Most of all I loved the times that he and I would reminisce about our times together at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He will truly be missed by his patients, his students, his colleagues, and especially his loving family. Rest in peace, Ed
It has unfortunately been some years since Dr. Sommers and I last spoke, but the news of his passing was no less a surprise and no less a shock.
Dr. Sommers was a superlative orthodontic clinician and educator who could distill the most complex cases down to essential elements, never losing sight of what truly mattered. In doing so, he didn’t just demonstrate clinical mastery—he taught us, clearly and patiently, how to think and practice as did his own mentor (and ours) Dr. Subltelny. Through it all, Dr. Sommers never seemed to allow ego to eclipse his competence and confidence. He remained approachable, open, and genuinely kind, which made it easy for students to seek his guidance. I experienced this firsthand when I asked him to mentor my research project to which he agreed without hesitation. It’s quite possible I had helped things along by sharing some of my home-brewed beer during our first year. He was quite curious and eager to try his hand, and together we ultimately made a batch of Italian Verdicchio, a wonderfully exquisite wine, in the midst of studying Open Bite Malocclusions (LOL!) His mentorship transformed my project into something worth pursuing and presenting to Dr. Subtelny and our faculty. This would have been impossible without his care and direction.
His legacy will endure through the clinical skills and quiet confidence he passed down to us, the students he mentored. Thank you, Dr. Sommers, you will be missed, but never forgotten.
My deepest condolences to Linda and his family.
Ed was a mentor, then a fellow faculty member at Eastman. He was a true genius in the field and gave so much to so many. The Eastman family has lost a giant.
I am very sorry to hear of this news. Ed is a kind soul, and was genuine person. I feel truly blessed to have known him and enjoyed any time we had together. He was always interested in hearing my thoughts, and humbly sharing his with a quiet enthusiasm that few have. He did not just have superficial interests, but cared deeply about his family, his craft, his patients, cooking, Italian food, language & culture and all of which he loved to share. He will be missed.
Dear Linda, Heidi and Ryan,
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Since my arrival at Eastman in 1996, I don’t think I was as close, comfortable, nor learned as much relative to clinical orthodontics as I did with ED. He was simply the best orthodontist, still to this day, that I have ever seen.
Along the way, he became a close and trusted friend. You know, the one who you look to go to with your mistakes more than your successes. I trusted his advice as much as anyone’s in orthodontics. He was always the “Iron Man” of our clinic. He was always so generous and sincere with his time.
His sense of humor was always so witty and infectious. His love for cooking and wine provided me with a worldly education. My trip to Italy with him to Federico’s wedding continues to be one of the best trips of my life!
His talent, integrity and moral compass will always been unparalleled. .
He was always someone I always tried to emulate but in reality, never could. He was like the electric rabbit in a dog race….it made us go faster and harder but we would never catch him. What a great teacher and role model for all of us. Lesson learned, always work harder…because you could always be better than you are today.
We have lost an irreplaceable friend, mentor and a true “Pillar of Eastman”.
Linda,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. What a beautiful love and life the two of you shared. May he rest in peace.
Better late than never. Dear linda and family, all I can say is; he was a great man, great teacher and great friend. He did leave a lot of himself at Eastman and for that we will remember him as a grreat othodontist, person and teacher. Ed we will miss you for ever
Dear Linda, one of my joys in life as an RN was job sharing with you while providing hospice services at GRHC many years ago. I am so very saddened by your loss of Ed. He was the uĺtimate professional and a truly nice guy! I wish you and your family Peace and healing. Ed made his mark in this world. Affectionately, Barb Hart