Dr. Guthrie Evans Carr

Dr. Guthrie Evans Carr, 93, of West Lafayette, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, at his home.  He was born January 8, 1929, in Lafayette to the late Dr. Guthrie and Edith Carr.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife of 46 years, Catherine, and second wife of 18 years, Betty Knudsen Carr.

Guthrie graduated from West Lafayette High School in 1946 and Purdue University in 1950.  In 1954, he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Indiana University School of Dentistry and became the first Pediatric Dental Intern at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital Dental Clinic from 1954 to 1955.  In 1962, he received his Pediatric Dentistry Post Graduate Certificate from Indiana University School of Dentistry.

He married Catherine Organ in Indianapolis on August 25,1955, prior to deployment to Hanau, Germany, where he served in the US Army Dental Corps.  After discharge from the Army in 1957, Guthrie returned to West Lafayette and established his private practice of pediatric dentistry with an emphasis on special needs and medically compromised children.  During this time, he also served as a staff member of Lafayette Home Hospital, Indiana University Hospitals at IUPUI, and the Regional Crippled Children’s Diagnostic Outpatient Clinic at Lafayette Home Hospital.  He also served as a consultant, instructor, and Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at Riley Hospital Dental Clinic at IUPUI, Indiana University School of Dentistry, and Purdue University School of Nursing.  After 35 years in private practice, he retired in 1992.

Guthrie led a life of service to his community.  He volunteered at several civic and community organizations: Wabash Center, where he was a board member from 1969-1992 and 2008-2011, Lincoln Community Service, Lafayette Head Start Dental Program, Lafayette Visiting Nursing Service, Lafayette Lions Club, and Lafayette Symphony Guild.  He was also a lifelong member of Central Presbyterian Church.  His love of nature led Guthrie to be a volunteer and docent at the Museums at Prophetstown.  He also volunteered and served on the Board of Niches Land Trust.  On many days, he could be found strolling through the prairie and natural lands sharing his knowledge of the history of the area and native flora and fauna, as well as clearing invasive vegetation to maintain the native flora of the landscape for both organizations.

Guthrie was honored as a Distinguished Hoosier in August 1992, for his work with cultural, social, and charitable organizations, especially those associated with children.  One month later, he was named a Sagamore of the Wabash honoring his life of community service.

Through gentle guidance in his professional, civic, and personal careers, Guthrie’s endeavors helped young people become confident individuals, especially in the outdoors.  He served as a troop leader for the Sycamore Girl Scout Council and was active with the Sagamore Boy Scout Council.  Because of his love of canoeing, he became a Red Cross canoe instructor, chairman of their Small Craft Safety Committee, and member of the annual Lafayette Wabash River Canoe Race Committee.  He also taught canoeing classes for the American Canoe Association and was a committee member of the USCA National Marathon Canoe Championship.

Guthrie enjoyed spending time running, backpacking, and paddling his canoe on both flatwater and roaring whitewater rapids.  He loved to dance, and if music was playing, his body was moving.  He enjoyed traveling the world and spending time with family and friends.  He relished the arts, dabbling with photography, designing and creating stained glass artwork and etched glass creations, with many gracing the windows of community organizations and family homes.  Guthrie loved a joke, and he was always ready to share his dry sense of humor, delivering corny jokes to whomever was willing to listen.

Surviving are his daughters Margaret (Russ) Garrett of Lake Oswego, OR; Carol (Ron) Kieffer of Lima, OH; Catherine (Tom) Drew of Lenoir City, TN; and grandchildren Jeffrey Garrett, Kathryn Garrett, Kelley Kieffer, and Evan Kieffer.  Also surviving are his brother Dr. W. Kelley (Patricia) Carr of West Lafayette; niece Kimberley Carr (Thomas) Shurig, nephew Dr. Guthrie Poorman Carr, and stepchildren David (Lori) Knudsen, Ellen (Frankie) Russell, and Kristina Rizzo.

Services will be at 11am Thursday, October 27, at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel with visitation on Wednesday, October 26, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Thursday, October 27, from 10am to 11am.  Memorial contributions may be made to the IU Foundation, PO Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206 for the Dr. Guthrie Carr Dentistry for Children Fund (P370005445).