Ralph J. “Buck” Brandon ’49

Ralph J. “Buck” Brandon, DDS ’49, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died August 16, 2006. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He moved from Fort Worth, Texas, to Punta Gorda in 1954, serving Charlotte County for fifty-two years with his dental practice. He was the first oral surgeon in Charlotte County, and for many years he was the only dentist in Charlotte County. Dr. Brandon, along with Dr. Michael Alpern and Dr. Douglas Nuelle, developed the polycentric hinge joint articulator for the treatment of TMJ, and the construction of all dental and orthodontic appliances. He lectured along with Dr. Alpern and Dr. Nuelle in several states and in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Brandon also co-authored the major dental/orthodontic textbook Ortho Evolution. He was a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the Charlotte County Dental Society, the Southern Academy of Oral Surgeons, the Fellow International College of Dentistry, Fellow American College of Dentistry, and an honorary member of the Gestoma Dental Group. He was also a member of the Punta Gorda City Council and served on the Housing Authority Board. He was a charter staff member of the Peace River Regional Medical Center in Port Charlotte, Fla. He was an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman. He was a master woodworker and enjoyed building furniture for family and friends. Survivors include his wife of fifty-four years, Betty Brandon, 516 W. Palm Ave, Punta Gorda; 33950; daughters, Karen (Paul) Alessandroni, Susan (Jerry) Warren, and Leslie (Cam) Akerman of Los Gatos, Calif.; grandchildren, Leah Alessandroni, Whitney and Brandon Warren, Lindsay, Kristen and Cameron Ackerman. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Ashley Warren