Tribute to a Great Man: Dennis Kalebjan, DDS

Editor’s note: The following tributes to Dr. Dennis Kalebjian were written by CDA past president Dr. Debra Finney, who followed him as president in 2004, and by CDA past president Dr. Steve Chan, who preceded him as president in 2002.

March 1, 1954 - July 23, 2022

Most of you reading this will relate to Dr. Dennis Kalebjian through his professional career in dentistry. However, Dennis was so much more and that is what made him a truly great man. Let me offer some insight . . .

Dennis had a highly successful dental practice for 43 years in his home town of Fresno. In addition to providing general dentistry services in his office, he also treated special needs and medically compromised patients at a local hospital. He was involved in his community, through his children’s activities in sports and music, through his church and by his charitable treatment of the underserved. He was appreciated and respected in a community that saw him as a dedicated family man and a generous provider for those in need.

Along with his dental practice and community and family activities, Dennis had some talents not as well known by his dental colleagues. He was a musician from an early age and played the piano for many family and community events throughout his life. He was also a farmer. His parents had a raisin farm that had been started by his grandparents and later maintained by Dennis and his son.

He had quite a repertoire of skills — from dentistry to music to driving a tractor. But there’s more! Somehow, he found time to devote to leadership in his profession. First in his local Fresno-Madera Dental Society where he served as president. Continuing on with his involvement, he served in positions with the CDA and ADA. He was CDA president in 2003.

Dennis was a quiet leader, thoughtful and pensive. He studied and considered all aspects of an issue before making a decision. And yet, in that patient demeanor, there was a mischievous side lurking behind an impish smile that would spurt out amusing comments and observations catching those around him off guard. Although he could appear serious and indifferent, he was anything but. He had a warm and kind heart and was gentle and caring. He was an educator and mentor in his community and with his family. He imparted his love of music and dentistry to his children. We lost a treasured friend and colleague, but his family lost much more. We all lost a great man.

DEBRA S. FINNEY, DDS, MS

Folsom, California

Dennis Kalebjian’s Opus

Dennis had a lifelong passion for music. We honor his life with a symphonic metaphor.

Dennis Kalebjian, son of a Fresno raisin farmer, rose to become president of the California Dental Association (2003). He could hear melodies from afar. He could hear the possible.

Hypnotic melodies drew him from the vineyards to the auditoriums of the University of Pacific to the halls of the ADA and beyond.

This is his symphony of life.

First Movement

To aspire

Ever hear a melody that’s so compelling, you stop.

You turn your head. You listen.

Dennis was that rising star, the voice of clarity.

He was the youngest, at the time, to chair a CDA Council, to chair the multimillion-dollar ADA Business Enterprise Inc. to lead the search for:

an ADA Executive Director

a TDIC CEO

a CDA Executive Director

He was listening. Those around him were listening to him.

Second Movement

Concert Performance

Community Medical Center (Fresno)

His audience. Postgrad residents thought they would only hear how to do hospital dentistry. He would teach a long line of neophytes the melodies he could hear.

“Be the Best.” “Practice, Practice. Practice.”

His vocal chorus tolled about character, about community and about relationships.

For over 40 years, postgrad-program alumni sought him out.

“You once told me the melodies. I hear your songs in my head.

Now I sing the melodies that Dennis shared with me.”

Third Movement

The Captain’s Chair

Dennis was the youngest up to that time to ascend to the CDA President.

9-11 was still fresh. Changing the CDA management was fresh.

Anti-amalgamists and denturists were attacking. U.S. Supreme Court FTC vs. CDA meant we had to adjust. The CDA Foundation was realized.

It’s said that the test of leadership is when you are tested.

Fourth Movement

Raising a Family

Juggling debt from school, starting a practice with wife Paulette during a recession and raising a family with three babies. The profession’s clarion call summoned. Yet Family always came first.

His legacy is family. Daughter Bridgit is a dentist. Son Brad is a fourthgeneration farmer. Daughter Jamie is an attorney. Grandbabies’ hugs from Penelope, Presley, Piper, Glen, Eileen, Andre and Lucy are priceless.

On July 23, 2022, Dennis raised his baton one last time. Sforzando!

Pancreatic cancer silenced the music.

Coda

Members of St. Gregory Armenian

Apostolic Church sang his praises. Compadres from Chicago, North

Carolina and distant California borders came.

The Processional brought residents, patients and special patients from 43 years ago.

They came to say Good Bye to the man who touched their lives

The man who taught them to hear the music that he heard.

STEVEN D. CHAN, DDS

Fremont, California