Alan Budenz, professor emeritus at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, died recently after a short illness. He was 73.

Budenz died three weeks after he was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic melanoma. He retired from the dental school in 2023, leaving behind a remarkable legacy and impacting thousands of lives as a teacher, mentor and friend.

Budenz was honored with many prestigious awards, including twice receiving the Lucien Szymd Memorial Award (a high honor chosen by students), the Dugoni School’s Distinguished Faculty Award and University of the Pacific’s Distinguished Faculty Award, the highest faculty honor across the entire university.

A 1982 graduate of the University of California, San Francisco, Budenz began teaching one day a week at the Dugoni School in 1984. He maintained a private practice in the Marina District of San Francisco until 1992.

Budenz also gave to the school in many other ways, including leading more than 10 international student service trips to Jamaica and the Philippines to promote global experiences and sponsoring boat trips and swimming events for students to help them manage stress. He is the only individual to have served as president of both the Dugoni School of Dentistry Alumni Association and the UCSF School of Dentistry Alumni Association.

He also gave his talent and time to organized dentistry, holding several leadership positions during his career. Budenz served on the American Dental Education Association Task Force on Competencies and Foundation Knowledge advisory board, the Northern California Section of the American College of Dentists board and the California Dental Association Presents board of managers.

In addition, he lectured nationally and internationally on local anesthesia, human anatomy, cariology and oral medicine/oral pathology topics. From 2005 to 2023, he was recognized each year by Dentistry Today as a leader in dental continuing education.

“Alan touched the lives of thousands of members of the Dugoni School family including students, residents, staff, faculty, patients and graduates,” said Dean and Vice Provost Nader A. Nadershahi ’94. “He lived life to the fullest and lived a life of distinction. I will sorely miss him and his unwavering dedication to our school and profession.”

A celebration of life is being planned for Memorial Day Weekend.