His patients knew him as a good dentist; his friends knew him as a good guy.

Dr. Kenneth Fairchild died Sunday at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va. He was 76 years of age.

Fairchild was also a former member of the Ironton Board of Education. Ralph Snead served with him on the school board with Fairchild and remembers him as a great man.

“He was a perfect gentleman all the time — except when it came to basketball games,” Snead said. “He loved his Buckeyes and he loved his Tigers.”

Snead said Fairchild was someone who cared about his patients, cared about family, cared about his community and would help anyone who needed help.

“He was unique,” Snead said.

Mike Burcham had known Fairchild since their days as student athletes at Ironton High School. Burcham remembered Fairchild as a great athlete who was the first person to be awarded the Tiger Clan Scholarship.

“He was one of the nicest guys who ever lived in this town as a friend, as a professional and as a member of the school board,” Burcham said. “ He has a great family. His kids played (sports) for me. He was a big Tiger fan, big Buckeye fan.”

Fairchild is survived by his wife, Phyllis, four children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Christian Church. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery.