After Years of Service, Donors Leave a Legacy

John Reinhardt, DDS, is a professor and dean emeritus in the Department of Adult Restorative Dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in Lincoln. He and Claudia are originally from Illinois and lived in Iowa City for 23 years. They moved to Lincoln in 2000, when John was appointed dean.

Claudia had a long and productive career doing writing, editing, publications production and public relations for nonprofits and in higher education. When they moved to Lincoln, Claudia worked in public affairs at Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (now Nebraska Public Media). Later, she worked in the Writing Center at Southeast Community College and tutored English Language Learners. She is also a published poet.

What were the first jobs you ever had?

At age 14, my first paid job (starting at $1/hour) was working at a bottling company in Nashville, Illinois (my hometown). I continued for six summers. It was demanding physical labor, but that reinforced my dreams to strive for the opportunities of higher education and eventually a professional career.

Claudia grew up in Aurora, Illinois. Her first paying job while in high school was at a flower shop working the busiest times of year (Christmas, Mother’s Day and Easter). She learned to cheerfully deal with the public and to treat every customer with respect and patience.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Stay positive, no matter what the challenge or setback, and don’t be afraid to accept those challenges. And keep your sense of humor. I heard versions of that from my family, teachers, coaches and mentors throughout my life.

What is your favorite question to be asked?

“What brought you to Nebraska and what are you doing now?” My career was in dentistry/dental education, which led us to live in Chicago, Colorado Springs, Iowa City, Boston and finally Lincoln. I loved the opportunity to teach, conduct research and treat patients. I was honored to lead numerous organizations over my dental career. When I retired from the UNMC College of Dentistry in 2022, we decided to stay in Lincoln. Currently, I volunteer and see needy dental patients at Lincoln’s Clinic with a Heart.

In addition, I’ve served as a trustee of the Community Health Endowment and president of our townhome owners HOA. I also served on the board of Pickleball Lincoln, Inc. Claudia and I have both served as trustees at First-Plymouth Congregational Church, and we’re frequent volunteers at F-P’s monthly food bank distribution. She also served on the Lincoln Library Foundation’s board and other nonprofit boards.

Together, we enjoy biking, hiking, traveling, playing pickleball and following Husker sports. I play golf, and Claudia does yoga and gardening and belongs to a book group and writing group. We are both members of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Who has influenced your life most positively?

That’s easy. Claudia, my best friend and wife of 50+ years, whom I met when we attended Illinois Wesleyan University. Her unwavering love, support and patience are a blessing that has made every day a joy.

Why do you plan to leave a gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation in your estate?

We both value higher education very much. We’re keenly aware of many high-quality programs within the University of Nebraska, at all four campuses, and how critical private investment can be to assist and enhance that quality. We have supported several UNL and UNMC programs. We are directing our estate gift to the College of Dentistry.

We set up two endowments at the college, one for faculty support and another to assist with treatment costs for patients with significant needs but limited income. We feel blessed to be able to leave a legacy gift after we’re gone, supporting both faculty and needy patients while enhancing student education.