Jack Heurlin

Robert John Heurlin, DDS, MS, Jack Heurlin, as he was everywhere known, was reunited in heaven with his wife of 63 years, Lora Jean, on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.  He passed-on peacefully at the age of 90.  Jack was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 9, 1931 to Robert J. Heurlin Sr. and Adele. He was raised in the Swedish Covenant Church and attended Wheaton College. It was at Wheaton where he met and married the love of his life, Lora Jean Holton. They were married in 1954. Jack then attended Northwestern University Dental School and earned both a DDS and MS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Jack was a commissioned officer in the United States Navy from 1954-1958, attached to the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton in California. While at Camp Pendleton, Jack and Lora were thrilled to start their family with their first child, John.

Following Jack's time in the service, they returned to Illinois so Jack could finish his Master's Degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, while they added to their family with their second child, Bob. Upon completing his Residency, Jack joined a private oral surgery practice in San Pedro, California, where he and Lora soon welcomed their third and fourth children, Kathy and Cindy.

In 1966, they moved into the Rolling Hills Estates house that would become their family's home for the next 41 years. Here on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Jack and Lora raised their children, were active members of Rolling Hills Covenant Church, and enjoyed many visits to the family cabin in Paso Robles, California. Jack practiced Oral and Maxillofacial surgery from his offices in San Pedro and Rolling Hills Estates for 31 years. He also lectured at USC Dental School and was an Oral and Maxillofacial consultant for the California and Arizona medical examiner and other health care systems. After moving from Palos Verdes, Jack and Lora relocated to Indian Wells, California and then moved in 2010 to Covenant Living of Colorado in Westminster.

Jack was a man of many talents including writing, singing, working in theater, active in church, hunting, fishing, and golfing as well as numerous ministries and missions. One of his greatest joys, though, was working at the Palm Springs Air Museum where he memorialized the memories of hundreds of veterans on audio and video tape for the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress.

He is survived by his children: John Heurlin, Bob Heurlin, Kathryn Kendall and Cindy Pearsall, as well as ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. It is a source of comfort that the circle remains unbroken, that we will be reunited with Jack and Lora in the sure and present knowledge of the saving grace of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Since Lora’s passing in 2018, Jack has eagerly awaited his reunion with Lora in heaven.

Jack was a great model for us with his wonderful sense of humor, his ability to come up with a song for any situation, and his great love for the Lord and his precious wife.

Please share your memories of Jack and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.