Features, Meeker

Man who brought modern dentistry to Meeker retiring after 47 years

MEEKER | It’s been 47 years since Dr. Charles Vandiver hung out his shingle and opened Meeker’s first preventive dentistry. Since that time he has repaired countless teeth, raised a family, made lifelong friends and made Meeker home. After a lengthy career—the average American changes careers every five to seven years—Vandiver will retire at the end of June.

A native of New Mexico, Vandiver attended college in Texas, where he met and married his wife…