The Hudetz/Kelleher Family History of Dentistry

Dr. Andrew Joseph Kelleher, was born in Chicago in 1919.  He attended St. Mel High School, St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN, and graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery/Loyola University on Harrison St. in 194_.  He joined the Navy, got married, and was quickly aboard a mine sweep in the Pacific as a lieutenant commander serving as a dentist for the crew.  He saw the aftermath of the nuclear destruction in Japan.

Coming from an Irish immigrant family of policemen in Chicago, it was his family dentist, Dr. Leo Cahill, who helped guide him into the dental profession.  Dr. Kelleher always said he really admired the man.

He  worked  late hours to accommodate his working class patients on Chicago’s Westside and later the Near Northside.  He was  respected and loved by everyone who knew him.

His son, Richard who was a student at St. Mary’s College in Winona was just accepted into dental school in 1965. He died shortly afterwards in a fatal automobile accident. The family was devastated.

After many years and not many encouraging words from her father,  his daughter Patricia joined the ranks and attended Loyola Dental School graduating in 1981. The two amigos were often found in a corner at family parties discussing dental cases with great interest.

Andrew retired in 2000 after practicing dentistry for over 50 years at age 80.  In that same year,  his grandson, Dr. Christopher Richard Hudetz, told him first of his desire to join the dental profession after obtaining an engineering degree at the University of Michigan.  Dr. Chris’s graduation in 2005 was the last outing for his grandfather, who was delighted and proud of his grandson.  Dr. Kelleher died that June of 2005.

Dr. Patricia Hudetz retired in 2017 following 12 years of practicing with her son.

So the legacy continues.  English Rows Dental Group is serving the people of Southwest Naperville today with Dr. Christopher Hudetz at the helm.