| Journal |
Fall 2001
|
Bernard C. Byrd remembered
 |
| A memorial service was held Saturday, July 14, in the University Church of Seventh-day Adventists to celebrate the life of Dr. Bernard C. Byrd. |
Bernard Byrd was born in 1926 to Benjamin
and Ruth Byrd in Savannah, Georgia, the youngest of two brothers and
one sister.
He decided to become a dentist in the sixth grade. After graduating
from Savannah High School in 1944, he served in the U.S. Army during
World War II. While in the military he received several honors: the
Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with a Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Victory
Ribbon, and the Army of Occupation Ribbon (Japan). He was honorably
discharged in November, 1946, with the rank of sergeant.
Before entering Emory University’s dental school in 1949, he completed
prerequisites at University of Georgia and Southern Missionary College
(now Southern Adventist University).
Dr. Byrd graduated from Emory University with a DDS degree in 1953,
and entered private practice in Decatur, Georgia. While in Decatur,
he met Mary Ellen Carden, and they married in 1958.
In 1959 Dr. Byrd responded to a query from NASDAD for members interested
in academic dentistry at College of Medical Evangelists (now LLU), and
the Byrds moved to Loma Linda in August, 1959.
Interested in dental pain control and oral surgery, Dr. Byrd entered
the University of Southern California oral surgery residency program
in 1961.
When he completed the program in 1964, he was named chair of the School’s
oral surgery department, a title he held until his retirement in 1995.
Dr. Byrd and colleague Dr. Elmer Kelln started the residency program
in this specialty, with the first graduate in 1968.
The clinic was named in his honor during a ceremony held as part of
the 2000 Alumni–Student Convention.
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All rights reserved. Revised February 14, 2001
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