In Memory
Dr. Larry Mudrick
(June 24, 1921 – June 7, 2011)
Funeral Service~ Friday, June 10th 2011, 12 noon
Mudrick, Dr. Larry 89
June 24, 1921 June 07, 2011
Born in Washington, D.C., Larry was the fourth child of Max and Rebecca Mudrick, and their first child born in the United States. His parents emigrated from Poland with sons, Jake and Robert, and daughter, Rachel. Two sisters, Frieda (Tobin) and Min (Zidell) followed. Larry’s father passed away when Larry was 2 years old and his mother brought the family, with the help of her brothers who had immigrated earlier, to Portland. Settling in Old South Portland, the family put down their roots. His mother barely spoke English and his older brothers and sisters dropped out of school to work and support the family. Everyone worked; Larry started delivering papers at age 8. Larry attended Shattuck Grade School and Commerce (now Cleveland) High School and was the first in his family to graduate. He joined the U.S. Navy and went on to college, graduating from the University of Oregon Dental School.
Larry practiced dentistry from 1952 through September 2010. Last October, Tom Hallman Jr. of The Oregonian, wrote a wonderful tribute to commemorate a long career doing what he loved. He was so touched by all of the letters and calls that he received from his patients and colleagues. The “Years (did) Smile on Beloved Dentist.” One of the cards that he received said it all, “We never “NOT” wanted to go to the dentist-you made it sooo easy … no one can fill your shoes! You have been more than a dentist to us, you have been a friend and family member.” His practice included working with the Portland Buckaroos and the Trail Blazers. The owner, Larry Weinberg, recognized everyone’s effort in winning a championship and presented the medical/dental staff with a World Championship ring.
Those were the days that Larry wanted to happen again for the Blazers-teamwork and respect. Larry credited team trainer, Ron Culp and his wife, Marilyn, for getting that teamwork started. Championships can’t be made without it. Always an athlete, Larry played baseball in the Portland City League as a young man and then took up the game of tennis. On the court at Irvington Tennis Club twice a week, Larry enjoyed games with friends and fellow tennis players. Larry was a member of Shaarie Torah and Neveh Shalom Synagogues. For almost 50 years he spent a week with his friends of B’nai B’rith Camp on the Oregon coast to raise funds for the support and scholarships to the Children’s Camp.
In 1996 his fellow campers honored him as “Man of the Year.” As a child, Larry attended this same camp, always on a scholar-ship, as there just wasn’t money for that kind of a luxury. Larry didn’t have to be the center of attention to be the person he was. He was a quiet, caring, humble and loving man. We should all be so fortunate to know someone like him. Surviving are his wife, Allison; children, Robin (Tom) Woodward, Rhonda Mudrick and Maury (Julieann) Mudrick; their mother, Dell Mudrick; grandchildren: Brad and Shauna Woodward and Jake and Max Mudrick; sisters, Frieda Tobin and Min Zidell; nieces; nephews; and his friends-too numerous to mention-whom he considered as extended family. Contributions to B’nai B’rith Men’s Camp or charity of choice.
