Obituary: Dr. Alan Sanford Leider

Dr. Alan Sanford Leider, born in Brooklyn, NY on January 2, 1936, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, in Roseville, CA at age 90.

A Life Member of the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), Al and his wife Joan (Joni) were dedicated attendees of AAOM annual meetings starting in the early 1970s, with Joni serving as the treasurer of the AAOM Auxiliary.

Dr. Leider earned his DDS from the University of Buffalo in 1960 before serving in the U.S. Army Dental Corps, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1975. He completed residencies in Oral Surgery and Oral Pathology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and became a Diplomate of both the American Board of Oral Medicine and the American Board of Oral Pathology.

Following his military service, Dr. Leider joined the faculty at the University of the Pacific, eventually serving as Head of Pathology and Oral Medicine, Director of the Pacific Oral Pathology laboratory, and Director of the Oral-Facial Diagnostic Consultation Clinic. Alan retired from the university in 1997. A prolific author in the fields of Oral Medicine and pathology, he was also a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists, among numerous other professional honors.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Ann, and sister, Virginia. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 58 years; children Glenn, Amy, Michael (Cindy), and Scott; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and brother Gary. Remembered as a quiet and thoughtful man, he will be deeply missed.