Dr. Dred R. Dorente
1871-1942

Ad From the 1904 Ft. Smith High School Annual Bio from Centennial History of Arkansas Vol 2&3 1922 Dr. Dred R. Dorente, a Fort Smith physician of marked capability and a veteran of the World war, having served in the United States army with the rank of captain, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in October, 1881, and is a son of Norwood Ed and Mary Jane (Rumley) Dorente. The father came to Fort Smith about eighteen years ago and here engaged in the newspaper business. Afterward becoming editor of the News Record. He was born in California and died in Arkansas in 1913. Both he and his wife were theatrical people and Dr. Dorente was born while his parents were on the stage, but later his father practiced law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from which city he removed to Fort Smith and was thereafter identified with newspaper publication until his life's labors were ended. He was a son of a soldier of the Spanish army, so that Dr. Dorente is of Spanish descent. The latter was one of a family of six children. He completed his more specifically literary education in the West University of Pennsylvania and received his professional training in the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery, from which lie was graduated with the M. D. degree as a member of the class of 1907. In his practice he has specialized on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and there is no man in this branch of the profession in the southwest territory who has a more extensive or important practice. He located in Fort Smith in 1907 for professional work and in the intervening years his practice has steadily increased. Before joining the army he acted as eye, ear, nose and throat examiner on the draft board for the three counties of Sebastian, Crawford and Scott. On the 12th of June, 1918, however, he enlisted, joining the United States army and was commissioned a captain of the Base Hospital at Camp Stafford and also served at Camp Beauregard in Louisiana. He acted as head and neck surgeon while in the army and was honorably discharged on the 18th of January. 1919. He then returned to resume the private practice of his profession in Fort Smith, where his ability has brought him prominently to the front. Dr. Dorente belongs to the Knights of Pythias and also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a loyal follower of the teachings and high purposes of these organizations. He likewise belongs to the Rotary Club and to the Noon Civics Club and every question of vital interest to the community is of deep concern to him. His cooperation can at all times be counted upon to further the general welfare. Nevertheless, he gives much time and attention to his important professional duties and has steadily advanced in his chosen calling. He now has membership in the Sebastian County Medical Society, the Arkansas State Medical Society, the Medical Association of the Southwest, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-laryngology.