Robert S. Feller

1929 - 2010

Robert S. Feller, D.D.S. retired, 81, of Mammoth Lakes and formerly of Silver Strand Beach-Channel Islands and Thousand Oaks, California passed away on September 2, 2010 unexpectedly while traveling to visit family in Washington State.

He was born on January 23, 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland, the only child of William and Hannah Feller. He was raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and graduated from Cornell University, Class of 1950, earning a BA in zoology and chemistry. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Field Artillery, U.S. Army Reserve and graduated from the U.S. Army Artillery Schools at Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1950. He then worked with the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office as a marine biologist until 1952. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Dental School in 1956. He was appointed 1st Lieutenant, Army Medical Service Officer and proudly served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania and Korea. In 1958 he was commissioned U.S. Army Captain, and earned the following awards for his service: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

He opened his first dental practice in Harrisburg in 1958 and then moved to California in 1962 and shortly after, opened a practice in Thousand Oaks. He continued to practice dentistry there until January 31, 2002 when he retired. He had fond memories of many patients and friends he made while in practice. He was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association and an active member of the California Dental Association and the Santa Barbara/Ventura County Dental Society. He served as a regional consultant for Delta Dental and for the State of Californias Denti-Cal Program. Bob developed and founded the Conejo Valley Dental Study Group and helped develop the Eastern Sierra Family Dental Clinic in Mammoth Lakes, CA.

He was lovingly married to his wife, Jean for 42 years and raised four children along with a variety of family pets. Those who knew Bob, enjoyed his outgoing personality, his sense of humor, his zest for life and his love of our country. He took pleasure in being a friend to many and helping others. He was an avid skier, walker, and enjoyed going to the gym and meeting up with his many friends. He had many interests outside of his profession and enjoyed discussing them with others. His family was the center of his life and he truly enjoyed the time he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was actively involved in his childrens activities including Boy Scouts, 4-H, ETI horse shows, track, cross-country, skiing and sailing.

He is survived by his wife Jean, son Craig Stebbins of Seattle, WA (Stephanie), daughters Susan Bader of Phoenix, AZ, Carolyn Bruce of Meridian, ID (Daris), and Jennifer Tucker of Davis, CA (Ted), and grandchildren, Josephine and Ian Stebbins, Erik Bruce, and Charlie and Kenton Tucker. Bob will be missed deeply by his family and friends. His family will privately celebrate his life in the mountains where he spent many happy times with the people he loved.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, Post Office Box 7275, Mammoth Lakes, California 93546, (760) 934-0791, www.disabledsportseasternsierra.org.