Donald Francis Duperon

December 18, 1937 - May 29, 2022 Dr. Donald Duperon, 84, of Rancho Palos Verdes passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 29, 2022.

Don was a loving and devoted husband, father, and friend and will always be remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit, warmth, and intellect. He was an active member of St. John Fisher Church, South Bay Coastliners Barbershop Chorus, served as the president of Grandes Companeros (a ballroom dancing club), as well as being a longtime supporter of the Palos Verdes Art Center.

Born 1937 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Don immigrated with his family to California in 1974 after being recruited to UCLA's pediatric dental department.

Dr. D, as he was known by his students, had a long and distinguished career as a professor of Pediatric Dentistry at UCLA. He served as Chair of the Section of Pediatric Dentistry and as Director of the Residency Program in Pediatric Dentistry until his retirement in 2004. He continued as UCLA faculty until 2019. He was also proud to serve as Director of the UCLA Children's Dental Center at the Roybal Comprehensive Health Center, dedicated to underserved children in East Los Angeles. He was an inspiration to hundreds of dental students and residents over his 45-year career at UCLA. Dr. Oariona Lowe made a generous gift to renovate UCLA's Pediatric Dentistry Clinic Lounge and named it in his honor. He will be remembered by his students as a mentor, a compassionate health provider, an intellect, an expert in his field and, to many, a friend.

Don, being a Renaissance man, not only was an expert in his profession, but he generally mastered his hobbies as well. From becoming a second-degree black belt in karate, winning a gold medal in the Senior Olympics (karate), a radio-controlled glider pilot, barbershop singer, tap dancer, saxophonist, scuba diver, sailor, motorcycle rider, car enthusiast and golfer – he would dive deep into each hobby until mastered. He was lovingly called an overachiever by one of his closest friends.

He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of almost 62 years, Donna Duperon, daughters Lori Duperon, Mona Copland (Mark), grandson, Conor Neal and his faithful dog, Georgia.

A mass with reception following will be celebrated in his honor at 11 am, June 25, 2022, at St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 5448 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in Dr. Duperon's honor to the UCLA Friends of Pediatric Dentistry Fund (http://giving.ucla.edu).