Ronald Allen Bryant
Ronald Bryant
On May 24, 1948, Ronald Allen Bryant was born in Dallas, TX to Eugene Willis Bryant and Dorothy Eakin Bryant. On December 23, 2018, he died peacefully surrounded by his loving family from rare and untreatable prostate cancer.
He was a wonderful family man and a world-class dentist; he absolutely loved both his family and his career. In his own words, “My family is number one. My wife, Cheryl, and I have been married 50 years, and we have two wonderful grown sons (Jon & Jason), two lovely daughters-in-law (Austin & Marisa), two beautiful granddaughters (Mikayla & Audrey), and a grandson (Max), who (like me) loves to build things. We feel blessed and are very proud of them all.”
He was proud of his family, and his family was also so very proud of him. He was a kindhearted, positive, curious, enthusiastic, generous, and vibrant man who positively impacted so many lives. His death is a tremendous loss for his family, his friends, and the field of dentistry.
Dr. Bryant truly felt like he was born to be a dentist. As a child, he was always interested in arts and crafts, and could often be found building things in his father’s workshop. In school, his favorite subject was science. In 7th grade, after a visit to his dentist he decided dentistry was a perfect blend of art, craftsmanship, and science. He decided right then to become a dentist and never wavered. As a boy he earned his Eagle Scout which helped establish and cement a legendary work ethic that is the envy of any achiever. He applied this work ethic in pursuit of becoming the very best dentist he could possibly be.
Before beginning his dental career, he earned his B.S. from University of Texas, Arlington, and his D.D.S. from Baylor Dental College in Dallas (where he was so grateful for the guidance and mentorship he received from Dr. Jesse T. Bullard). After becoming a dentist, he completed a two-year residency at University of Washington School of Dentistry earning a specialty M.S.D. degree in prosthodontics with emphasis in the field of periodontal prosthodontics.
After completing his M.S.D. at U.W., he and his family fell in love with the Seattle area and decided to make it their home. After he began practicing, he was determined to develop into one of the best dentists in his field. He was always thrilled to attend courses providing advanced training in the most cutting-edge dental techniques. He passionately studied cosmetic dentistry, dental implant surgery and restoration, prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, periodontics, advanced soft tissue and bone grafting surgical procedures, TMJ, laser dentistry, sedation dentistry, dental porcelain, and dental laboratory procedures.
As a prosthodontist, Dr. Bryant excelled in restorative and reconstructive dentistry. He was regarded by many of his peers as one of the best clinicians in the world. As a tribute to him and all he achieved we are listing his many professional accomplishments below.
Dr. Bryant was board-certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics, a process requiring a rigorous test passed only by about 30 percent of trained prosthodontists. He was also board-certified by the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry. Additionally, he was one of only 35 prosthodontists in the world to have earned board certification in both prosthodontics and implant dentistry.
Dr. Bryant also attained the distinction of Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an honor earned by fewer than 50 dentists worldwide. Because of these accomplishments and other notable qualifications, many dentists have referred their patients to Dr. Bryant for difficult and complicated treatments.
His additional professional distinctions include being awarded Fellow in the American College of Prosthodontists (FACP), Fellow in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and Fellow in the American College of Dentists (FACD). He also had memberships in the American Dental Association, Washington State Society of Prosthodontists, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Academy of Osseointegration, American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, Washington State Dental Association, Seattle-King County Dental Society. Further, he was a former faculty member at both the University of Washington School of Dentistry and Baylor Dental College. He also achieved honors in Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Southwest Academy of Restorative Dentistry Award, Baylor Odontological Honor Society, and the Psi Omega Scholastic Award.
While his family and his career were his greatest passions, he also enjoyed photography – especially nature and wildlife photography. Photography was in his genes; his father was a professional portrait photographer, as was his brother. He also enjoyed flying single-engine aircraft and had ratings for land, sea, and IFR.
Dr. Bryant is survived by his wife Cheryl McDonough Bryant; sons Jonathan Allen Bryant (wife Austin) and Jason Bryant (wife Marisa); grandchildren Mikayla Leigh Bryant, Audrey Anne Bryant and Maxwell Jameson Bryant; and siblings Ray Howard Bryant (wife Debra) and Robyn Bryant McDowell (husband Fred).
He was a man beloved by many who gave so much to his family and to the world. He will be greatly missed and is gone much too soon.
Funeral services will be held on December 31, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 22209 58th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following charities important to Dr. Bryant: American National Red Cross, Northwest Harvest, or Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission.
19 Responses to “Ronald Allen Bryant”
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Rest in peace my dear friend. Thank you for being so amazing! I love you and will miss you dearly! Please know I will take care of all I can for you here so attend to all the angels teeth now. Hugs, Casey
Well goodbye the very best dentist there ever was. And Cheryl grief is a process with definite stages and it will be hard but doable.love Patrick
Dr.Bryant ,
You made so many people smile! You have touched so many lives , I have very fond memories of your kindness – Rest In Peace
Dr. “B.”
You were the best boss and friend a person could ask for. The quality of care you provided for all your patients was amazing and life changing for many. You passion for dentistry was contagious. I am proud to have been your hygienist for almost 30 years. You will be missed my friend.
We will remember the good times–traveling to South Africa, France and Bali with the two of you. Loved seeing Ron’s knobbly knees wrapped in a skirt, and Cheryl being attacked by monkeys in Bali.
Our heart goes out to Cheryl, the kids and grandkids.
Ron will be sorely missed in the Medical Dental building. We were lucky enough to benefit from his excellent technique as patients.
No-one could ask for a better obituary. Family man and professional extra ordinare, and he was able to do both beautifully.
Dr. “B.”,
You were the best boss and friend a person could have. Your dedication to creating the art of dentistry is unparalleled. Your passion in new technology was contagious. I am thankful to have been a part of your amazing practice. You were simply the best. I will miss you.
Joan
I feel very fortunate and blessed to have worked with Dr. Bryant for over 30 years. He was kind, dedicated and quite the perfectionist. He changed several patient’s lives by giving them the best smile ever! I will always cherish the memories that we shared together and will continue to care for our patients.
Dearest Dr B.,
What a beautiful and gentle man you were. Brilliant in your field of work and so respected by your patients and professional colleagues. I loved being one of your patients. You made coming to the dentist easy. I trusted you and, literally, looked up to you. Now, you are gone to the heavens. What will I do? I miss you. Wish you were still here. I feel for your family. I pray that your passing brought some blessed relief from pain. And that you are living a new and joyous life with our Lord. Rest in peace, Dear Dr. B. Love, Angela D.
I never had the privilege of meeting Dr Bryant but I have known Debbie Buswell for many years. As a member of Dr Bryant’s staff she always spoke of him with admiration and respect. Her bright smile always brighter when she talked about working for him. I’m so sorry he had to leave too early. My thoughts and prayers are with the many who will miss him greatly.
I was a patient of Dr. Bryant for my whole life. My mom was a long time employee of his but to her it was so much more because she absolutely had belief in his perfection and knew he was the best! I will always remember him walking in the room and shaking my hand from a young age, he had my respect day one and I never wanted him to tell me he found a cavity! You are very respected, admired, and will be missed by so many.❤
It is hard to put into words what I am feeling right now. Dr Bryant had a huge impact on my life personally and professionally. I was blessed to have worked for him for almost 30 years. Aside from being one of the best in his field, he was one of the best men I have ever known. I will never forget him and how he touched my life. I will forever miss you, Dr. Bryant. ❤️
Saddened by the death but inspired by the life… RIP Dr. Bryant.
Cheryl—memories of Ron and his family go back to elementary school, float building at Adamson, my parents and Ron’s parents working on their cabin, electrical projects, photographs of our children. I can’t remember a time when Wynnwood and Garapan wasnt our running ground. But I do remember the first time he introduced us. He was smitten and then later we shared our faith and prayed fervently for our loved ones on the the Holy Land trip. Please remember our shared bracelet with God’s Word— Lo I am with you always until the end of time. You can be confident that I will pray fervently for you during this difficult time. Love in our forever Christ.
Dr. Bryant, you were a dear friend and mentor to me. I would not be where I am today without your support and kindness. As myself and many others have respected your honesty, integrity, and professionalism, I truly am thankful for having the privilege and honor of meeting you in this life. My deepest and most sincere thoughts are with you and your family. I will truly miss you Dr Bryant.
Rest in Peace.
Dr Bryant
You created a family away from home. As staff we truly love each other. It was your vision that created our closeness thru special times that we all will continue to cherish. Your family are also a part of that bond and we love them dearly. Thank you for your incredible talent and deep love of helping people. You will be missed.
Have known him as a grade student in 78/80,he was alwaus willîg to help in a kind way.I will miss him much.
Rest in peave Ronald we love you
Ron was always a “class guy” and one of the bright spots during my years at the Perio-Pros course from 1979 – 82. Fortunately, our paths crossed later on during other Pros courses and travelling.
He is a great loss to humanity.
It was a total shock learning about your passing. A wonderful person as you can not possibly be gone so soon.
You were the standard for our profession. I still remember reading your publications when I first started the postgraduate program at the UW. You were so highly respected.
It was such a treat for me to have known you and Cheryl a bit outside of dentistry. The memory of sharing a meal together at Izumi and at the opera will aways be cherished. You will not be forgotten.
Dear Family of Dr. Bryant: I wish to express my sincere sympathy. He was the kindest practitioner one could hope for. He was such a blessing. I share your sadness and pray God will comfort you.
Dr. Bryant became my dentist 30 years ago. A car wreck had robbed me of my front teeth and lesser dentists could not figure out restoration. Dr. Bryant restored my smile. He told me the bridge would last 20 years. It lasted 29 years. Last year he updated my smile — I think this one will be with me until my last days.
Also, last year I brought my aged mother to him. She had been told there was no way to improve her dentures or to place a partial in areas of significant loss. He said he couldn’t understand what they were talking about. That it was all do-able. And he did it! Without his work she would still be having difficulty eating and keeping weight on.
His skill and expertise had a significant impact on our lives, and his sweet disposition was a balm. We will miss him so very much.