Judy Gordon says her husband Ron, DDS '76, died before he could complete his mission in dentistry.

That's what inspired her to name UCSF as the beneficiary of the IRA she inherited from him. Her gift will establish an endowed scholarship fund in the School of Dentistry. "By enabling other people to practice dentistry, I hope that they will carry out some of the things Ron didn't get to do, and to continue the things that he did," she says.

He practiced in Palo Alto for 30 years, served as president of the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society, and volunteered for dental peer review – a conflict resolution system between dentists and their patients. But perhaps Ron's greatest impact was on his own patients.

Ron and Judy Gordon with their children Joshua and Amanda

An avid bicyclist, skier and windsurfer, Ron was known for living life to its fullest. When he died in a cycling accident in June 2006, approximately 40 people, mostly patients, posted fond memories of him on the website Palo Alto Online. One longtime patient wrote, "His gentle touch and obvious skill made difficult dental work a snap. His humor and warmth were unfailing."

"He was an excellent dentist," Judy reflects. "He was always trying to do what was best for his patients, versus what was profitable. He didn't sell dentistry. He would discount his fees for those who couldn't afford the dental work they needed – from our babysitter, to a friend of a patient, to the mechanic at the local body shop. He did as much as he could afford to do, and he wanted to do more."

To support the UCSF School of Dentistry, contact Maura O'Donnell at 415/476-3322 or MOdonnell@support.ucsf.edu.