Robert Donald Scoren
Nov. 22, 1930-March 22, 2012
Woodside, California
Submitted by Leslie Scoren

Robert Donald Scoren, a Woodside resident for nearly 50 years, passed away March 22, 2012.

A native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Robert completed his studies in dentistry at the College of Physicians & Surgeons in San Francisco in 1956 and established his dental practice on Welch Road in Palo Alto, next to Stanford Hospital. He later completed graduate studies in Periodontics at the University of Pennsylvania and Boston University.

His 32 year professional career serving the Palo Alto community as a periodontist included teaching at Stanford University and conducting research at UC San Francisco.

He had many friends in the world of art and architecture, whose work he admired, especially the innovative work of Charles and Ray Eames, designer Alexander Girard and San Francisco architect Don Knorr. His patient list included these friends and others who became prominent names such as Robert Noyce, founder of Intel, Lucille Packard, sponsor of the children's hospital, painter Georgia O'Keefe who flew in from New Mexico to see him.

Robert loved exploring the world's cultures and appreciated fine craftsmanship. He designed and curated a major exhibition of his collection of antique toys at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles in 1981, assisted by his daughter Leslie and San Francisco caligraphy artist Alan Blackman.

All forms of creative expression captivated Robert and he enjoyed sharing this in the folk art decor of his professional office, designing the interior of his daughter Holly's veterinary office, and in the custom features of his Woodside home.

His keen interest in cutting edge technology brought dedicated involvement in the semiconductor world as an investor and supporter in his retirement years. He dearly loved this Peninsula area and was proud to have served this community during the exciting era of the rise of the Silicon Valley.

His other passions were playing tennis, jazz music, enjoying his family and his Airedale Boomer.

Robert is survived by his wife Lisa of Woodside, his daughter Leslie Scoren of Mountain View, his daughter Holly Scoren Miller of Topanga, his first wife Rita Joanne Scoren of Mountain View, and four grandchildren. He will be much missed by us all.

The family plans to have a celebration of Robert's life at his Woodside home for family and friends in May.