"My father knew I had a sweet tooth. He worked long hours, and before he left his office, he would call me and ask if I wanted a treat," said daughter Roberta Lites. "My favorite was 'Now and Later' - probably the worst candy for your teeth."

Born in 1929, the son of a steel-mill worker, Dr. Waite was raised by his eldest sister in Youngstown, Ohio, after his mother died when he was 9.

After earning a bachelor's degree in 1951 from Youngstown State University, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Dr. Waite was a paratrooper and served stateside until being discharged in 1953. He served in the Army Reserve for eight more years.

He met his future wife, Laura Taylor, when they were patients waiting in a dentist's office in Washington. The couple married in 1955. After Dr. Waite graduated from Howard University School of Dentistry in 1959, the couple moved to West Philadelphia. He set up shop in the front of their home at 5800 Spruce St. and they raised three children in the back.

Dr. Waite, who had a sparkling smile and an infectious belly laugh, continued to practice general dentistry in West Philadelphia after moving his family to West Mount Airy in 1971.

"Every Christmas, my father took a day off work and dressed up as Santa Claus," said son Daren. "The people of West Philadelphia were drawn to him. He never forgot his roots."

In addition to his daughter and son, Dr. Waite is survived by another son, John, and eight grandchildren. His wife died in 2007.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. today at Wharton-Wesley United Methodist Church, 5341 Catharine St., Philadelphia 19143, to which donations may be made.