Title: 1) Naval Admiral; 2) Professor Emeritus
Company: 1) U.S. Navy; 2) University of California
Location: Reno, Nevada, United States
Robert F. Birtcil Jr., Naval Admiral at the U.S. Navy and Professor Emeritus at the University of California, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Military Operations and Higher Education.
Dr. Birtcil enjoyed a long and successful career in military service and higher education, beginning in 1970 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Remaining in the service for 30 years, he held various roles, including as a Navy Reserve Force commander and deputy chief of the Navy Dental Corps. Dr. Birtcil initially served his country between 1967 and 1969, becoming recognized as a two-tour 21 combat operations Vietnam veteran with the 3d Marine Division.
Besides his successful military career, Dr. Birtcil was a clinical professor in the School of Dentistry at the University of California (UC) San Francisco beginning in 1970. He was honored to be named a professor emeritus in 2002. Furthermore, he led a thriving dental practice in Kensington, California, between 1970 and 1994. As an extension of his work, Dr. Birtcil was a member of the California Dental Service’s superiority of service review panel between 1983 and 1994. He was also an expert consultant in restorative dentistry and an expert consultant in biomaterials with the California Dental Association from 1980 to 1994.
A graduate of UC San Francisco, Dr. Birtcil received a Doctor of Dental Medicine in 1967. Subsequently, he became certified by the American Board of Dental Examiners and the California Board of Dental Examiners. He was notably the only graduate in the history of the UC San Francisco campus ever to be promoted to one, and then two-star admiralty rank from the reserve component of the Armed Forces of the U.S.
Dr. Birtcil garnered notoriety as a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Academy of General Dentistry and has been active in several other professional organizations, such as the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association. During his tenure as a fellow of the International College Dentists, he served as a counselor for District 13 from 1982 to 1998. He was also active on the membership committee as a fellow of the Academy Dentistry International between 1979 and 1984. These memberships have influenced Dr. Birtcil’s ability to network and remain at the forefront of the dental community.
Early in his career, Dr. Birtcil was active civically with several local organizations, namely the Kensington Community Service District board of directors in California from 1976 to 1977. As a seasoned scholar and researcher, Dr. Birtcil authored approximately 25 articles in refereed journals. He also contributed to three textbooks on restorative dentistry.
Dr. Birtcil’s hard work and dedication in the service earned him much recognition, including being decorated with a Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star with “V,” two Meritorious Service Medals, a Commendation Medal and an Air Force Commendation Medal. Among other recognitions, he received the Purple Heart and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Fortunate to have received the help of several mentors throughout his career who have influenced him, Dr. Birtcil is forever grateful for their support, particularly those in academia. These mentors inspired him to keep moving forward, resulting in his desire to mentor several other educators throughout his tenure.
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