Obituary: Longtime Laguna orthodontist Robert French dies

Dr. Robert E. French, a longtime Laguna Beach resident and orthodontist, died Oct. 12 from complications of a degenerative lung condition. He was 83.

French earned his doctor of dental surgery degree in 1954 from Loyola University in Chicago and joined the U.S. Air Force as a dental officer. He received his master of science degree and certificate of specialty in orthodontics from Loma Linda University in 1964 and practiced for more than 50 years.

He was born May 7, 1930, in St. Louis. and moved to Laguna Beach with his family in 1938. In his youth, French was an athlete and a Laguna Beach lifeguard.

“For those of us who shared his life, it can be said with absolute certainty that Bob lived his life to the fullest, and he was so loving and generous toward his family and friends,” his family wrote in a statement.

Services will held be 11 a.m. Oct. 26 at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. They are open to the public.

French was preceded in death by his son, Timothy. He is survived by his wife, Marcia; his sons, Peter French and Jeff Spurlock; his daughters, Paula Scotland, Judy Scholl and Dawn Spurlock; and 13 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 1569, Laguna Beach, CA, 92652. Please include Bob French in the subject line.

— Beau Nicolette