Dr. Mervyn Bruce Kipnis

AIKEN - Dr. Mervyn Bruce Kipnis, 85, died Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Dr. Kipnis was born in San Francisco, CA, a son of the late Isador and Renee Greenberg Kipnis. He graduated with honors from the University of California Berkeley, and also with honors from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. He was a World War II veteran and POW at the Stalag 9B Germany. He received the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He practiced Children's Dentistry in San Francisco for 28 years. He was also Adjunct Professor at UOP School of Dentistry, and one of the founders of the specialty of Dentistry for Children. He owned and managed with his wife, Portola Valley Thoroughbred Training Center in Portola Valley, CA. He also bred and raced Thoroughbreds as K.K. Farm in Woodside, CA. He was a member of the Los Alto Hunt, San Mateo County Mounted Patrol, the Shack Riders, and a member of the California Dental Association. His great loves were free diving at Catalina Island and flying his T-Tail Arrow. He loved taking friends up and allowing them to fly the plane through the twin towers of the Golden Gate Bridge. He will be remembered as a mentor to the myriad of young men who worked for him. He helped so many obtain citizenship, an education and the tools to lead successful lives. Upon retirement he was able to fulfill a lifetime dream, purchasing a sea going cabin cruiser he and his wife sailed the "paradigm" on a two year cruise, visiting every major port from San Francisco to Acapulco, Mexico. Before settling in Aiken, SC, they resided in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for six years. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Ruth Ellen Gould Kipnis; a daughter, Kyle Kipnis, Aiken; a son, Brian C. (Bonnie) Kipnis, Seattle, WA; a step daughter, Kathy Ann Figel, Simi Valley, CA; four grandchildren, Faith and Mara Kipnis, Kelly and Kasey Henzlik; and his faithful greyhound, Slapshot. Interment will take place with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, 2155 Webster Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94115. Dr. Kipnis' online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. Shellhouse Funeral Home, Inc., 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Mervyn Bruce Kipnis, please visit our flower store.