DENTIST EXTENDS KINDNESS ACROSS GLOBE

It's easy to marvel at Dr. Dan Cotner. The Cape Girardeau dentist seems to know everyone in town.

He can be found visiting people in local hospitals or nursing homes; playing piano or organ for any number of groups; or volunteering for dozens of civic and cultural organizations.

At 73, he's a fireball of generosity with no plans to slow down.

Cotner finds time to extend his helping hand across the globe. He has amassed 365 days -- the equivalent of one full year -- providing free dental services in 11 foreign countries.

He's made 15 separate trips, with three visits each to Ecuador and Guatemala. The trips have been sponsored by Rotary International or church organizations.

One of his most memorable trips was riding a boat in Brazil on the Tapajos River, one of only 10 rivers larger than the Mississippi. It flows into the Amazon.

"We went up the river without dental equipment," he said. "A lot of the people had never seen a dentist before. I lived in a vacant building with a hammock, and did extractions only. There was no electricity. At night, the only noises you'd hear were the animals and an occasional putt-putt boat."

For six years, he has served on the board of KRCU, a National Public Radio affiliate on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University campus.

"With Dan Cotner comes everybody in Cape Girardeau. You have immediate contacts with every person in town because he knows everyone," said Greg Petrowich, general manager of KRCU. "He's an instant goodwill ambassador."

Cotner was the driving force in bringing the American Wind Symphony to Cape Girardeau six times, developing a close friendship with Robert Broudreau, who retired last year after 30 years with the orchestra.

Beverly Strohmeyer, director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, said that on more than one occasion Cotner shook the bushes and raised almost all the money singlehandedly to bring the symphony to town.

"He works behind the scenes, and doesn't want any praise," said Strohmeyer. "He just gets the job done."

For 53 years, he has played trombone with the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band. Only one other member has more years of service to the band.

John Blue says of his fellow Rotarian: "He has always worked for other people in many ways." Cotner has been a faithful member of Rotary for 46 years.

"He's a very kind and thoughtful man," said Blue.

Cotner often can be found shuttling people who don't get around as well to various meetings and functions.

"He does it out of the goodness of his heart," said Blue. "He's a very compassionate person."

He plays piano for Rotary sing-alongs every week, as well as serving as organist at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He took piano lessons in the fourth grade at old Jefferson School, and has made good use of his talent.

A dentist for 47 years, Cotner said he'd like to retire one day to travel more with his wife Polly, who is the instructional materials librarian at Kent Library.

"But my wife won't retire," he said with a laugh.