Dr. Stephen M. Koral

Dr. Stephen M. Koral of Boulder, Colorado, passed away on Saturday, May 21st at University of Colorado Hospital, surrounded by family. He died of leukemia one day shy of his 69th birthday. Steve was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended SUNY Buffalo and Harvard School of Dental Medicine where he graduated summa cum laude in 1980. In 1983 he moved to Boulder, Colorado, and quickly connected to the mountains and the people. He found his home in the Sugarloaf community, where he met the love of his life, Marion Moller. They married in 1988 and had two children together; Alex is an attorney in Boulder and Lily is a student at CU. Steve stayed active through biking, skiing, scuba diving, fly-fishing, woodworking, and traveling the world with Marion. As a dentist Dr. Koral was well loved and highly regarded treating hundreds of patients during his 33-year practice overlooking Pearl Street Mall. His patients regarded him for his brilliance, understanding, skill, and friendship. Steve pioneered the practice of mercury-free and holistic dentistry, and joined the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, or IAOMT. He later became one of its most active and published members, serving as President and Secretary. As an advocate against the use of mercury in dentistry, Steve testified first before the State Legislature in favor of permitting dentists to remove mercury fillings without risk of prosecution. Later he went before the US Congress warning of the hazards of toxins in our bodies and our environment through mercury filling placement and its waste runoff. He is survived by his wife Marion, brother Richard, son Alex, and daughter Lily, and two children from a previous marriage. In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve's memory may be made to the IAOMT, 8297 Championsgate Blvd. #193, Championsgate, FL 33806 or the BCH Foundation, Cancer Care Center, PO Box 9019, Boulder, CO 80301-9019. A memorial will be held at the E-Town building 1535 Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302 on Fri., July 8th from 2-4pm.