Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Henry H. Takei
More than 200 family members, friends, former students, and colleagues gathered on November 7 to remember a titan of periodontology.
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More than 200 family members, friends, former students, and colleagues gathered on Saturday, Nov. 7, to celebrate the extraordinary life of Dr. Henry H. Takei, a pioneering periodontist, beloved educator, and mentor whose influence extended far beyond the UCLA School of Dentistry and across generations of dental professionals worldwide.
The afternoon's overarching theme, shared by the diverse group of guests at UCLA’s Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, was that of a man equally devoted to advancing periodontology and serving as a selfless husband, father, and grandfather.
Hosted by the Takei family and the School’s Section of Periodontics, the heartfelt gathering honored Dr. Takei's six decades of professional achievements while celebrating the warmth, generosity, humor, and enduring friendships that defined his life. He passed away on July 29, 2026, at the age of 88.
Dr. Flavia Pirih, professor and Tarrson Family Endowed Chair in Periodontics, welcomed attendees, many of whom traveled from across the country and internationally. She reflected on Dr. Takei's nearly six decades at UCLA and his foundational role in establishing its postgraduate periodontics program, particularly meaningful as the program celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
"Dr. Takei didn't just help build a world-class periodontal program. He helped build a community, a family that extends far beyond UCLA," Dr. Pirih said. "Dr. Takei reminds us that our greatest legacy is not only in what we accomplish, but in the people we inspire, the friendships we nurture, and the opportunities we create for others."
Following a tribute from UCLA School of Dentistry Dean and Professor Dr. Paul H. Krebsbach – who shared a light-hearted story about watching Dr. Takei perform periodontal surgery while he was a resident in the early 1990s – family members and colleagues took the dais to share memories illustrating Dr. Takei's profound impact both professionally and personally.
His daughter, Akemi Louchheim, offered a touching and often humorous portrait of her father, recalling his passion for teaching, his dedication to patients, his playful personality, and his unconditional love for family. Summarizing his philosophy of life, she shared, "My dad lived by a simple adage—love WHERE you go every day and love WHO you come home to."
Her daughter, Arden Louchheim, also paid tribute to her grandfather and reflected fondly that Dr. Takei was able to fulfil his promise of visiting all four grandchildren at their respective colleges.
Dr. Perry Klokkevold recalled nearly three decades of friendship and teaching alongside Dr. Takei, including 27 years together in UCLA's Periodontics
Clinic. Their shared experiences extended to educational programs in Japan, textbook collaborations, and countless conversations in Dr. Takei's famously tiny office.
"Henry had a remarkable way of inspiring the people around him to be their very best," Klokkevold reflected. "But his most important lessons were about how to treat people: With kindness, patience, humility, generosity, and respect."
Additional tributes from his mentees Drs. Jonathan Do and Thomas Han, as well as Chairman Jun Miyata from Japan’s Meikai University and Asahi University, underscored Dr. Takei's extraordinary influence as a teacher, clinician, colleague, and friend. Together, the speakers painted a portrait of a man whose curiosity, humility, and generosity inspired countless others to pursue excellence while treating people with kindness and respect. Among Dr. Takei’s lasting legacy is the establishment of an educational and research exchange program between UCLA and Japanese dental schools more than 30 years ago, which includes continuing education for practitioners.
The celebration concluded with deeply personal remarks from Dr. Takei's wife, June, who shared cherished stories from their 64 years of marriage. Reflecting on a lifetime of love, partnership, and shared experiences, she expressed overwhelming gratitude for the large audience who came together to honor her husband.
The gathering was a fitting tribute to a man who not only helped shape modern periodontics but also built lasting connections across generations and continents. As attendees reconnected and shared memories, Dr. Takei's legacy was evident in the community of people whose lives he had enriched.
