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Dr. Bernardo Levit of Argentina had been serving as the PFA International Trustee for Region 7—Latin America—from the tip of Chile to the waters of the Rio Grande. Last Autumn, with the resignation of Region 1 European Trustee Pierre Marois, Bernardo became the Dean of the PFA Board of Trustees.
At that time, in one of our many quiet talks, he discussed his enthusiasm for PFA in South America and the changes he wanted to see come about as the economy down there began to improve. But age was creeping up on him as well. He confided that he also wished to retire, but he desired to sort out some Latin American problems before turning his Region over to a younger successor. He was not just a representative of our dental Academy. He voiced the feelings for the entire continent. He spoke only a few times at the Board Meetings, but when he did, everyone listened. His passion for the Pierre Fauchard Academy was obvious; his commitment was unquestionable; his dedication was ongoing to his last breath.
His sister, Ines Sara Levit, informed us that Sunday, 20 February, Bernardo was swimming at the pool of the Punta del Este Hotel when he suffered a sudden faint. He was assisted by the staff immediately but went into a coma as they rushed him to Cantegrill Hospital. It seemed that he had suffered from an unknown brain aneurysm. The next day, he was taken by plane to San Camilo Clinic in Buenos Aeries where his companion Esther Suli joined him and other relatives. But his condition was too far gone to repair. He died at 7:45 AM on Wednesday, 23 February 2005, without ever recovering.
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He interacted well with all his Section Chairs. He attended many PFA and dental meetings representing our Academy. And at our meetings, he regularly attempted to convey the dire economic straits of Latin America that tied the hands of his colleagues to grow in numbers. Often he noted that those in South America who could afford to join our PFA mission in the world were not of the same selfless philosophy, and those who we would want for their dedication and commitment to our service were too poor to be able to join. He was caught in an ethics conundrum, as he practiced a high standard of morals strangled by the economy of his countries.
Dr. Bernardo Levit was a quiet, humble man. While his stature was slight, he cast a giant shadow across two continents and left huge footprints to follow in. He enjoyed dentistry. He loved his PFA companions. And he worked and lectured generously in research.
He gave a table clinic in Florida with a PFA member from Guatemala, Ivan Moldauer. They won first prize and donated the cash award to the PFA Foundation. When the Foundation Executive Director Shig Kishi died suddenly, Dr. Levit produced a CD memoriam to him as an e-book on Halitosis, donating the proceeds to the Foundation.
As a member of PFA for over 20 years and having served most recently as Dean of the Academy Board, he was facing the crisis of age beginning to take hold of his life. But he continued on. He spoke of retirement, but was talked into one more year.
PFA was not his only love. He traveled to many dental meetings, gave many lectures and table clinics, but always was recruiting those special individuals he thought worthy of Fellowship in our Academy.
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He was a member of the American Association of Orthodontics (USA) for over 50 years, a Life Member of the Asociacion Odontologica Argentina, and Founder of the Sociedad Argentina de Odontopediatria as a specialist in odontopediatrics. Dr. Levit served on the Board of the Sociedad Argentina de Ortodoncia and was awarded Life Membership on their Tribunal de Honor. He founded the Sociedad Argentina de Periodontologia, eventually becoming a Life Member. Our Bernardo was a member of the International Society of Oral Breath Research.
Besides PFA, he had served in ICD as an Editor and Life Member and in ADI as Fundador and member. Dr. Levit was an International Member of the ADA and a Fellow in Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity. He authored several hundred papers and had authored a book on halitosis printed in two languages.
When he passed away in Argentina on 23 February 2005, our Secretary General Richard Kozal was the first to inform the world in stating, “I am sad to report the passing of a fine and outstanding colleague of our profession. Bernardo will always be remembered for his continuing zeal and love of dentistry. I had the pleasure of knowing this kind and outstanding gentleman for more than 20 years. We will all miss his devotion to his fellow colleagues and to PFA. May God grant him ‘memory eternal.’”
PFA Vice President William Winspear noted, “He was such a fine gentleman whose dedication to the Academy was both long and extraordinary. He was a generous friend to all who knew him and an inspiration in the way he conducted his life—full of enthusiasm, loyalty, and vigor. The Academy has lost an important part of its existence. Bernardo will be greatly missed and never replaced.”
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Past PFA Presidents Carl Lundgren, Jim Long, and Kevin Roach remembered fondly the special leather plaque Bernardo would present to each PFA President inscribed, “In appreciation for support of the Argentine Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy.” And each had a touching story about enjoying his company in different parts of the world. Past President Nicholas Saccone, while he was PFA President, and his wife Jeanne visited Bernardo in Buenos Aires for the 100th Anniversary of the Argentina Dental Society. “Bernardo was the best host, the kindest gentleman, the best friend. That six-day visit became a highlight in our lives.”
One day a year, Bernardo sent us all greeting cards for Argentina’s celebration of “Friendship Day.”
Each and every Trustee, many past Presidents, and all his Section Chairs and friends from around the world have shared so many stories of this true professional—too numerous to relate here. But one thing is for sure, he touched us all.
Trustee Barry Dolman of Canada may have been the last of us to see him as they shared a ride to the airport after the Orlando Meeting. “It was amazing to see Bernardo so full of life at the crack of dawn with an energy and positive outlook we should all aspire to have. He was off to New York full of new ideas, business plans, and horizons to conquer. You remain in our hearts.”
Bernardo Levit, our friend, was laid to rest in Israel Liniers Cemetery on 3 April.
“Querido Bernardo, Vaya con Dios, Amigo. Te requerdo para siempre.”
—Past PFA president Gary Lowder.
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