Dr. Robert Warren Hewitt

Dr. Robert Warren Hewitt, born February 5, 1936, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Robert Hewitt spent his formative years in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Central High School in 1954 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). The son of former Memphis Police Inspector Josiah W. Hewitt, Dr. Hewitt made his own mark, both professionally and personally. Among the highlights of his adventurous young life was his time as a U.S. Forest Service smokejumper. During his pre-dental collegiate days, he financed much of his education by working summers in Montana and Idaho, where he parachuted into remote areas to fight wildfires. His love for the outdoors, begun during those story-filled summers, stayed with him for the rest of his life. In December 1961, Dr. Hewitt graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. He began his professional career by serving in the United States Public Health Service, with duty assignments in the Division of Indian Health at Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico, and later with the U.S. Coast Guard in Ketchikan and Juneau, Alaska. He was a senior assistant dental surgeon in the USPHS from 1962 until 1964. Following this service, Dr. Hewitt returned to Memphis, where he established a private dental practice. He maintained his practice from 1962 until his retirement in 2001, earning a reputation for excellence and dedication. After his 40 years in private practice, he continued to contribute to the field as a clinical consultant, working as a liaison between a commercial dental laboratory and dental professionals. He also served part-time as an Assistant Professor of Operative Dentistry at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, shaping future generations of dentists. Dr. Hewitt was a respected member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and the Richard Doggett Dean Society. He was also a fellow of the American College of Dentists, underscoring his lifelong commitment to his profession. Beyond his professional life, Dr. Hewitt was an avid outdoorsman. His love for nature, kindled during his smokejumper days, was reflected in a wide array of activities, including hunting, gardening, fishing, running, backpacking, and camping. In his later years, he volunteered with the U.S. Forest Service, contributing to trail reconstruction projects-a fitting way to give back to the forests he loved. Dr. Hewitt is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Runyan Hewitt; his daughter, Paige Marshall; his son, Robert Warren Hewitt, Jr.; and his four grandsons, Robert William Hewitt (Blakelee), Joshua D. Hewitt (Katie), Jacob T. Hewitt (Olivia), and James Hewitt (Natalie). He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren: Luke, Lacey, and Wilder. Dr. Hewitt passed away on October 24, 2025. He will be remembered for his dedication to his profession, his love of the outdoors, and the lasting impact he made on those who knew and loved him.