In Memoriam: Gerald “Jerry” Brundo, D.D.S., M.A.

Dr. Gerald Brundo smiling
Dr. Brundo’s 14 years at the School were punctuated by a term as associate dean of academic affairs. He left UCLA in 1984 to serve as dean at the Creighton University School of Dentistry, his alma mater. (Photo courtesy of Creighton University)
October 13, 2023

Gerald “Jerry” Brundo, a UCLA School of Dentistry faculty member from 1971 to 1984, passed away on Sept. 29 in Omaha, Neb. He was 80.

Dr. Brundo’s 14 years at the School were punctuated by a term as associate dean of academic affairs. He left UCLA for the Creighton University School of Dentistry, his alma mater, to serve as dean from 1984 to 1994. After his retirement from Creighton in 2015 following 31 years of service, Dr. Brundo continued to work part-time in prosthodontics, even as he battled cancer.

Crediting Dr. F. James Kratochvil as his UCLA mentor, Dr. Brundo cared deeply about the student experience and education at all levels. He instituted a tradition of hosting weekly afternoon teas for faculty, fostering a sense of camaraderie among Bruin colleagues. In his spare time, Dr. Brundo served as the Chairperson of the Board of Education at nearby Marymount Junior School from 1980 to 1984.

After earning his D.D.S. from Creighton in 1969, Dr. Brundo served two years in the United States Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. While on faculty at UCLA, he completed an M.A. from Cal State Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Barbara Brundo, three children, and six grandchildren.

Related links:
Dr. Brundo’s full obituary
Tribute by Creighton University