Floyd Dewhirst

Floyd Everett Dewhirst June 25, 1914 - September 13, 2012 Floyd died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles after a wonderful life of boundless generosity and accomplishment. He was esteemed for his decency and integrity by all who knew him - a large number indeed, given his devotion to his profession and community-and loved by all of his many family members and friends. He was born in Harvard, Ill. and grew up in the Central Valley and Southern California, where he was graduated from Long Beach Junior College and the USC School of Dentistry. He served in the US Navy as ship's dentist and chief supply officer aboard the USS Bennington in the Pacific during WWII. He enjoyed USO tours of the era's Big Bands and loved their music forever after. Floyd had a private practice of dentistry in West Los Angeles for 60 years, caring for multiple generations of many families of devoted patients. His brother and children all followed in his professional footsteps. His three daughters all worked with him: Patricia Dewhirst Crane was his hygienist for 28 years; Louise Dewhirst was his dental partner for 15 years; and Dana Dewhirst Running helped administer the office. Son, Dr. Floyd E. Dewhirst III, used his DDS to become a scientist at The Forsyth Institute and Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston. Dr. Dewhirst served organized dentistry in many capacities throughout his long career, including as president of the Western Dental Society, the Beverly Hills Dental Society, and the Southern California State Dental Assn., and as editor of the SCDA Journal. He was a trustee of the American Dental Assn. and the first dentist voting member of the American Medical Assn. council on legislation. Dr. Dewhirst was an advisor to the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare as well as a dental consultant to the Secretary of Defense. He traveled to New Zealand to evaluate its dental nurse program for the ADA. Later he visited dental counterparts in the USSR and Latvia on trips with People to People International. Dr. Dewhirst shared his skill and knowledge with students at USC and Loma Linda schools of dentistry. Honors conferred upon him by his profession include fellowship in the American and International Colleges of Dentistry and membership in the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry. In 1984 the American College awarded him their prestigious Gies award. Both Colleges have given him their lifetime achievement awards. In his community, Dr. Dewhirst was active for many years in the Lions Club, the Westwood Village and Century City Rotary clubs and the Red Cross. He was active in All Saints' Episcopal Church of Beverly Hills for many years, serving as usher, on the vestry, on rector search committees and as Junior and Senior Warden. Floyd hiked and camped in Yosemite during the summers of his youth and developed a lifelong love of the Sierras - he and all his kids and their families made the climb to the base of Vernal Falls for his 90th birthday! Floyd was renowned for his green thumb. Whether it was the delicious home grown tomatoes or the unique orchid hybrids that he patiently nurtured until they produced gorgeous, award-winning blooms, something was always growing in his yard and greenhouses. He was particularly proud of providing orchids for innumerable wedding bouquets for family and friends. He inspired many people to start an orchid hobby. In that, as in all things, he quietly led by his example. His life of service to others is a constant inspiration to us all. Floyd was predeceased by his former wife (divorced in 1954), Eleanor Arnold Dewhirst, in 2002 and his second wife (married in 1956), Louise Mary Feil Dewhirst, in 2006. He died in the home he loved, two days after his children gathered around him for a final celebration. Floyd was loved deeply and will be sorely missed by his siblings James Dewhirst, Robert Dewhirst and Dorothy Kosowsky; his children Patricia Dewhirst Crane (James Crane), Floyd Dewhirst III (Laura Dewhirst), Louise Dewhirst (Daniel Akst), and Dana Dewhirst Running; grandchildren Laura Crane (Ken Layne), Bradley Crane (Molly Molloy), Katherine Dewhirst, Michael Dewhirst, Haley Running, Erin Running, Julia Running, Nicholas Dewhirst Akst and David Dewhirst Akst; and great-grandchildren Jesse Dean Layne, Harrison Everett Layne, Elliot Crane and Miles Crane. The family is eternally grateful to Cesar Villena and Leoncio "Zaldy" Gregana for five years of loving care. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 504 North Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Red Cross, http://redcrossla.org/donations/.