Born and raised in Bishop California in the Owens Valley at the foot of the Sierras, his father, a native of Wisconsin, was the local dentist in Bishop and his mother a native of the local area in Round Valley, they met while working in Bodie around 1892 and settled in Bishop. Don relocated to the Los Angeles area to attend dental school and was an avid proponent of socialized dental services.
He loved the mountains and frequently visited the log cabin in Mammoth Lakes California that was built by his parents which still stands today.
Don became very skilled at making his own dental tools on his lathe and became an expert at making porcelain jackets for teeth. Other dentists had Don make theirs since dental labs were in such short supply in the 30s. Don had a private dental practice for several years until he was asked to take over the dental clinic for the Los Angeles Hotel and Restaurant Welfare Fund which was housed on Beverly boulevard just west of Alvarado. He tried to maintain both but once in the fund clinic he became totally committed to building a professional dental staff serving blue collar workers. In later years the clinic had built such a great reputation, local dental schools sent their young dental graduate students to the clinic for on-the-job training. Don was also involved with building a new modern clinic on Alvarado at Beverly in los Angeles in the 1960s which still operates today. Don resigned his position in the clinic in 1973 and consulted for several years. Failing health from spinal cancer finally caused his death at the age of 74. Don was a character and lived a full life often seen around with several movie stars, had 5 wives, 2 children, drank, smoked, was a musician, told jokes and stories, and always wore cowboy boots.
He loved the mountains and frequently visited the log cabin in Mammoth Lakes California that was built by his parents which still stands today.
Don became very skilled at making his own dental tools on his lathe and became an expert at making porcelain jackets for teeth. Other dentists had Don make theirs since dental labs were in such short supply in the 30s. Don had a private dental practice for several years until he was asked to take over the dental clinic for the Los Angeles Hotel and Restaurant Welfare Fund which was housed on Beverly boulevard just west of Alvarado. He tried to maintain both but once in the fund clinic he became totally committed to building a professional dental staff serving blue collar workers. In later years the clinic had built such a great reputation, local dental schools sent their young dental graduate students to the clinic for on-the-job training. Don was also involved with building a new modern clinic on Alvarado at Beverly in los Angeles in the 1960s which still operates today. Don resigned his position in the clinic in 1973 and consulted for several years. Failing health from spinal cancer finally caused his death at the age of 74. Don was a character and lived a full life often seen around with several movie stars, had 5 wives, 2 children, drank, smoked, was a musician, told jokes and stories, and always wore cowboy boots.
Born and raised in Bishop California in the Owens Valley at the foot of the Sierras, his father, a native of Wisconsin, was the local dentist in Bishop and his mother a native of the local area in Round Valley, they met while working in Bodie around 1892 and settled in Bishop. Don relocated to the Los Angeles area to attend dental school and was an avid proponent of socialized dental services.
He loved the mountains and frequently visited the log cabin in Mammoth Lakes California that was built by his parents which still stands today.
Don became very skilled at making his own dental tools on his lathe and became an expert at making porcelain jackets for teeth. Other dentists had Don make theirs since dental labs were in such short supply in the 30s. Don had a private dental practice for several years until he was asked to take over the dental clinic for the Los Angeles Hotel and Restaurant Welfare Fund which was housed on Beverly boulevard just west of Alvarado. He tried to maintain both but once in the fund clinic he became totally committed to building a professional dental staff serving blue collar workers. In later years the clinic had built such a great reputation, local dental schools sent their young dental graduate students to the clinic for on-the-job training. Don was also involved with building a new modern clinic on Alvarado at Beverly in los Angeles in the 1960s which still operates today. Don resigned his position in the clinic in 1973 and consulted for several years. Failing health from spinal cancer finally caused his death at the age of 74. Don was a character and lived a full life often seen around with several movie stars, had 5 wives, 2 children, drank, smoked, was a musician, told jokes and stories, and always wore cowboy boots.
He loved the mountains and frequently visited the log cabin in Mammoth Lakes California that was built by his parents which still stands today.
Don became very skilled at making his own dental tools on his lathe and became an expert at making porcelain jackets for teeth. Other dentists had Don make theirs since dental labs were in such short supply in the 30s. Don had a private dental practice for several years until he was asked to take over the dental clinic for the Los Angeles Hotel and Restaurant Welfare Fund which was housed on Beverly boulevard just west of Alvarado. He tried to maintain both but once in the fund clinic he became totally committed to building a professional dental staff serving blue collar workers. In later years the clinic had built such a great reputation, local dental schools sent their young dental graduate students to the clinic for on-the-job training. Don was also involved with building a new modern clinic on Alvarado at Beverly in los Angeles in the 1960s which still operates today. Don resigned his position in the clinic in 1973 and consulted for several years. Failing health from spinal cancer finally caused his death at the age of 74. Don was a character and lived a full life often seen around with several movie stars, had 5 wives, 2 children, drank, smoked, was a musician, told jokes and stories, and always wore cowboy boots.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
