Robert Victor Bravin D.D.S. M.S.

June 4, 1946 - June 26, 2020

EL CAJON — Dr. Robert (Bob) Bravin passed away on June 26, 2020 from complications of Parkinson’s disease and Covid-19. He was born in Richmond, Ca to Aldo Bravin and Laura (Aversenti) Bravin. He graduated from Harry Ells High School in 1964. He attended UC Davis for three years before transferring to the dental program at UCSF where he received his BS and DDS degrees in 1971.

At UCSF he met his wife Carol Roberts, a dental hygiene student. They were married September 5, 1970. Upon graduation he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside Ca. While there he received commendations for his service and work on the POWS returning from Viet Nam. His commanding officer tried to convince him to pursue training in prosthodontics, but Bob decided otherwise and applied for graduate training in endodontics.

He attended the graduate endodontic program at Loma Linda University and completed his training in 1976. While still in the program - and perhaps related to his interest in prosthetics - he published an article regarding stress analysis of post placement published in the Journal of the California Dental Association. Bob was also one of the first graduates of Loma Linda to complete all steps in the examination process of the American Board of Endodontics and became a Diplomate in 1980.

After Loma Linda, he joined another LLU endodontic program graduate, Bill Young, DDS, MS 1971, in his practice in El Cajon. He followed Bill’s example in giving his time to drive back and forth to Loma Linda School of Dentistry to teach on a part time basis from 1978 to 1991. He was a memorable mentor, jokester, and scholar during those years. Most of his students were convinced that he did not drive up to teach, but rather to have lunch with his students at his favorite sandwich shop in Riverside. It became a known fact that all endodontic procedures were finished or

temporized before noon because his van would be leaving for lunch promptly at 12:00.

Professionally, Dr. Bravin held many positions in the San Diego County Dental Society. He was one of the founding members of the California State Association of Endodontists. He also served as an expert consultant in legal cases involving dental malpractice. He was a member of Theta Xi fraternity at UC Davis and Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity at UCSF. He was a past president of the El Cajon Rotary Club. He retired from practice in 2013.

Bob had many lifelong passions and interests. He was a member of the Singing Hills Country Club. In high school, he was a member of the Richmond Hawks drum and bugle corps and the Aggie band in college. He never wavered from his early interest in classic and antique cars, his first car was a 1927 Studebaker. He progressed through to classic mustangs, becoming a founding member of the San Diego Mustang Club. He even had his 1966 Mustang convertible placed on the pond at Sea World at one of their annual shows. He then became involved in Model A’s before moving onto his final toy, a 1956 Chevy Bel Air Sports Coupe and joining the Classic Chevy Club of San Diego. Bob, in later years, also returned to another early passion of his, building intricate, historically accurate model ships.

He is best remembered for his commanding presence and humor. At 6’4”, patients were always initially apprehensive until they found out he was gentle giant. Bob could tell jokes for hours and made friends everywhere. He was easy going with his children and their friends, but his presence insured they rarely went beyond the limits he set.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carol, his son Richard (spouse Aleksandra), daughter Lesley (spouse Phil Lorhan), his grandchildren Daniel, Daria, Maddison and Olivia, his brother Dr. Don Bravin (spouse Elena) and their children, Michael, Rosanne and Melissa.

There will be a private interment at Miramar National Cemetery. Come share your memories of Bob at a Celebration of his Life at Singing Hills Golf Resort on June 4th. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, please contact the family for further details.

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