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Wilbur Van Zile was born on August 24, 1904 in New Jersey and at an early age traveled with his family across the United States, settling in California. Van Zile always had an interest in short wave radio and dentistry, keeping an active on-the-air radio status and updated licenses and excelling in dentistry while improving methods for maxillofacial surgery.

After earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1928 and completing his undergraduate work from the University of Southern California College of Dentistry, Van Zile completed his graduate work at the University of Minnesota's Mayo Foundation. After a few years of private practice, he applied to the Navy Dental Corps and was one of nine candidates selected. During this time, he also published many articles appearing in the Journal of Oral Surgery.

During World War II, Van Zile served as an administrator of dental affairs during the South Pacific Theater of Operation (Pacific War of 1941-1945). From 1950-1959, he was Chief of Dental Services and Oral Surgeon at various Naval Hospitals and he was instrumental in starting the graduate residency program for Oral Surgery at the United States Naval Hospital in Oakland. During this time Van Zile continually strived to improve methods for oral surgery, devising a root canal technique for anterior teeth which resulted in improved healing.

Van Zile then served as Professor and Chairman in the Department of Oral Surgery at the University of Oregon Dental School (the predecessor to OHSU School of Dentistry) from 1959 to 1969. While working at the University of Oregon, Van Zile initiated a graduate residency program for Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. After retiring from teaching, he returned to private practice until 1979 when he retired from dentistry altogether.

Wilbur Van Zile belonged to many professional organizations, including Phi Kappa Phi (an International Scholastic Fraternity), the American Dental Association, the American Society of Oral Surgeons, the American Association of Hospital Dental Chiefs (Regional Vice President), the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Diplomat), the American College of Dentists (Fellow), the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (Honorary Member), and American Association of Dental Anesthesiologists.

Van Zile was married to Ruth Harrison. Their correspondence throughout the 1930s and 1940s gives an insightful look into Ruth's life and the lives of people before and during World War II. Van Zile met Ruth in his senior year at the University of Southern California; they were married for seventy years before her death in 1998; Wilbur died in 2009 at the age of 104.