DR. BURTON BALKIN

Burton Edwin Balkin, DMD, died at the age of 91 on February 21, 2023.  Dr.  Balkin, was an internationally known dental implantologist, having been involved in Implant Dentistry since 1960 after graduating from Temple University’s accelerated DDS program and serving as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force stationed in the U.K. from which he began his adventures of seeing the world.

Dr. Balkin has been a leading authority in the history, present perspective and future needs of Implant Dentistry. He has a special interest in research, where he worked extensively on developing methods to regenerate bone and surrounding soft tissue in conjunction with dental implants, conducting research with pioneering companies such as Gore and Stryker.  Dr. Balkin, FACD, is a Diplomate and past president of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry and past president of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry

Among the numerous national and international awards, Dr. Balkin has received is being the recipient of the prestigious Aaron Gershkoff Memorial Award and the Isaiah Lew Memorial Research Award, and lecturing in the UK, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea among other locations that appealed to his curiosity and sense of adventure.

A highly esteemed educator, Dr. Balkin was a Clinical Professor and co-chairman of Implant Dentistry in Graduate Periodontics at  his alma mater Temple University; a Surgical Instructor at MCP Hahnemann/Drexel University.   At the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Balkin founded the Implant Dentistry Program.

Right along with his lifelong clinical and academic curiosity and success, Burt was ever motivated by his self-taught love of sailing.  He was an expert on the byways of the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay where he never ran out of places to take his beloved sailboat, Explorer, that he shared with Esther and then with his children Harris and Jackie, ingraining in them and later his grandchildren a love of sailing, how to properly eat hardshell crabs as well as off season snow skiing and the mountains.

Predeceased in death by his loving parents, Charlie Balkin and Rose Balkin (nee Rader) he is survived by his lifelong love of 63 years his Esther Belle (Raboff Balkin), his children Harris Balkin and Jackie Balkin Hoffman (Michael) and his grandchildren Jake Hoffman, Megan Balkin, Aaron Hoffman and Rebecca Hoffman.  He is also survived by sibling’s “sis” Shirley Zeserman and “little sis” Penny Balkin Bach, Mimi and Stan Dubin and Isabel and Paul Greenwald.  

As Burt would lovingly say every school day morning “see you later alligator” as his kids walked out the door – until we are together again to share our treasured memories of adventures and precious moments.  With love, admiration and gratitude for all that you have done and shared with grace and generosity. 

  Relatives and friends are invited to services, Thursday, 12:30pm, Har Zion Temple, 1500 Hagys Ford Rd., Penn Valley, PA 19072.  Interment to follow at Montefiore Cemetery.  After the burial, Shiva will be observed at the Sutton Terrace (Community Room) from 4:00pm-6:00pm, with Minyan services following at the late residence.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Burton’s memory may be made to the Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University (dentistry.temple.edu/about/giving), or a charity of the donor’s choice.

www.levinefuneral.com