Dr. Keith Denton Receives the Ralph R. Gregory, D.C. Achievement Award

(The following presentation was given by Dr. Glenn Cripe at the Spring Seminar Banquet, in honor of Dr. Denton.)

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my great honor tonight to present the Ralph R. Gregory, D.C. Achievement Award. This award is NUCCA's highest honor, and is only bestowed to the most deserving person, one who represents the qualities, values, and characteristics of Dr. Gregory. Tonight's recipient poses the highest of these traits. The criteria for the Gregory Achievement Award requires a doctor in good standing, one who has participated in research, has authored NUCCA articles, has taught, and has advanced the principles of NUCCA throughout the chiropractic profession.

Tonight's recipient has dedicated his career to the Restoration Principle. And, he has done it in a way that Dr. Gregory would be proud; quietly, methodically, with class and dignity, never choosing the spotlight but rather preferring to be in the background. I'm honored to present the Ralph Gregory Achievement Award to Dr. Keith Denton. Over the years in Dr. Gregory's office, Dr. Seemann, our past Executive Director spent many hours with Dr. Denton. Unfortunately, he is unable to be here tonight, but he did ask me to say a few things on his behalf.

"Having worked with Ralph almost 10 years gave him insights about the reduction of the subluxation that no one else has. I would have to rate him the top upper cervical adjuster in the country. If I were the other NUCCA doctors, I sure would listen to what he has to say. His importance to NUCCA is very critical to the future of the organization. What I admire the most about Keith is his humbleness and generosity. You will never hear him tell you about his accomplishments. Keith is most deserving of the award and he will tell you that it is probably Edna who should be receiving it."

In 1981, Dr. Gregory made one of the best decisions in his entire career and brought Dr. Denton into his practice. Due to their similar values, they worked for nine years together with the utmost respect and admiration. This was apparent due to the fact that Dr. Denton was Dr. Gregory's chiropractor. Dr. Denton's career in chiropractic is relatively short, only eighteen years, but to have accomplished and provided so much is truly remarkable. During these years, Dr. Denton's accomplishments have been many:

He has been a board member of NUCCA for 14 years.
He has been a board member of NUCCRA for 12 years.
He has been selected both as Secretary and Treasurer at NUCCA.
He has written a number of articles for the monograph.
He has been editor of the Monograph.
He has written the manual for new doctors.
He has taught all phases of the work.
He has lectured on behalf of NUCCA through out the country.
Together with Dr. Seemann and Dr. Gregory he represented NUCCA at the initial Upper Cervical Coalition meeting.
He has taught beginning classes to advanced biomechanics.

The things that we all do not see, too, have been the countless hours of preparing packets and stuffing envelopes to prepare for the classes, to the mailing of the Monograph. Needless to say, since Dr. Gregory's passing. Dr. Denton has been the mainstay of the organization. He has approached all problems with which he has been faced with dignity, unselfishness and class. How he does this is just short of a miracle. He does, however, have a guardian angel by his side. Her name is Edna. She has always been unwavering, strong and committed to her family, Keith and NUCCA. The love she has for all of us in this room is unmatched and is truly appreciated. Her self-confidence, love, and commitment to Keith and the NUCCA organization has, I know, allowed Keith to be the man he has become. So Edna, thank you from all of us, and thank you for sharing Keith with us.

In closing I would like to take the opportunity to share a few thoughts from the man who helped Dr. Denton get his start. Dr. Brooks, who introduced Dr. Denton to NUCCA, asked me to express his feelings regarding Dr. Denton the chiropractor, husband, father, and friend.

"Keith started his chiropractic education at Sherman College and after two years decided to transfer to Palmer. It was during that summer that he came home to Oklahoma to stay with family and work in my office. Keith took NUCCA classes, visited with Dr. Gregory and after graduation from Palmer moved to Monroe, Michigan to join Dr. Gregory as an associate. It took a special kind of person to work with Dr. Gregory. My father used to say; you have to have a little character to be one. Boy, is that true of Keith."

It took passion, endurance, stamina and resolve to work with Dr. Gregory. It required patience, integrity, honesty, loyalty, and a refusal to gossip, judge, or criticize. It takes more character than most of have, to work beside a "way-maker" like Dr. Gregory. Keith outlasted every associate that had made the pilgrimage to Monroe. He won the confidence of Dr. Gregory and became his best friend, his best student, and perhaps his best teacher. What kind of man is Keith Denton? He is a man that I am honored to know. I am grateful for his presence, and I am in awe of his courage and convictions. He has not only fulfilled the criteria for this award, he has set the standard for the award itself. Congratulations Keith. Character is built, not from the opportunities and challenges that life presents us with, but from how we respond to those events. Thank you Keith, for who you are, and for how you have stood out before us.