Dr. Daniel Gordon

Dr. Daniel Gordon, 89, of Newberry Estates, Dallas, and Boca Raton, Fla., passed away on Monday, September 7, 2009, in the VNA Hospice of Northeastern PA, Wilkes-Barre, with his loving family at his side.
Born in Port Griffith, he was a son of the late A.E. and Rose Meyers Gordon and brother of the late Esther Gordon Schneider.
A 1937 graduate of Nanticoke High School, he received the American Legion Award for outstanding student. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1943.
During World War II, Dr. Gordon served in the 193rd Field Artillery of the 3rd U.S. Army as a Captain in the Dental Corps in Germany. After the war, he returned to Wilkes-Barre and opened his dental practice on South Franklin Street.
Dr. Gordon practiced dentistry for 50 years and was considered to be the first dentist to perform periodontal surgery in Wyoming Valley. He was passionate about dentistry and was devoted to his patients.
Always a perfectionist in his dental practice, he valued his good name and reputation above all. He was active in bringing study clubs to the dental society and served as past president of the Luzerne County Dental Society.
He was a past member of Kiwanis, the Chamber of Commerce and its board of directors. One of his proudest moments was serving as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce dinner welcoming JFK to Wyoming Valley.
After Hurricane Agnes, Dr. Gordon was instrumental in organizing the HUD program in Kingston and secured trailers for 200 families.
An ardent golfer for many years, Dr. Gordon formerly belonged to Irem Temple Golf Club, Fox Hill Golf Club and more recently, Boca West and Huntsville Golf Clubs, where he recently shot his age. He was proud of getting two holes in one in his later years.
He was a member of Temple B’nai B’rith, the B’nai B’rith Lodge, the Jewish Community Center, Jewish War Veterans and other civic organizations.
During the past few years, Dr. Gordon became interested in his family genealogy, discovering five earlier generations in Eastern Europe, uniting him with family all over the world. He was the role model and patriarch of his family and they adored him.
Affectionately known to many as “Uncle Dan,” he was a true friend. He delighted in the many accomplishments and achievements of his children, grandchildren and extended family.
Dr. Gordon’s family would like to thank Dr. Michael Rittenberg, Dr. Richard Blum, Dr. Bruce Saidman and Dr. David Greenwald and their staff, Vera Smereski, the homecare and inpatient unit of the VNA Hospice of Northeastern Pa. for their compassionate care, guidance and professionalism during his illness.
He is survived by his loving wife, Bernice, of 68 years; three daughters, Melissa Quinn and husband Thomas Quinn, of Harveys Lake; Lindsay Nataupsky and husband Dr. Gary Nataupsky, of Shavertown; Marianne Faber and husband Dr. Scott Faber, of Mt. Lebanon, Pa.; grandchildren Thomas Quinn and fiancée Rebecca Nicely; Jonathan Quinnand his wife, Minnie Lee Quinn; Jessica Nataupsky and her boyfriend, Chris Kang; Jason Nataupsky and his fiancée, Kelsey Stephenson; Jillian Nataupsky, Rachel Faber, Emily Faber; and numerous nieces and nephews; and Newman, his favorite puppy.
Funeral services will be held from Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, 348 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre, today at 12:30 p.m. Burial will be at B’nai B’rith Cemetery with Rabbi Roger Lerner, Rabbi Larry Kaplan and Cantor Ahron Abraham officiating. Shiva will be observed at the home of his daughter and son-in-law Dr. and Mrs. Gary Nataupsky, 300 Longmeadow Road, Shavertown, from 7 to 9 p.m. today , Wednesday and Thursday, and 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, and 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Temple B’nai B’rith, the Jewish Community Center, or the VNA Hospice of Northeastern PA.
Condolences may be emailed to info@rosenbergfuneralchapel.com .