Dr. Fred Greenblatt
Dr. Fred Greenblatt, a Denver native, respected dentist in Glendale since 1970 and an actor, passed away from cancer at age 83 on July 13, 2020, in Florida. The private interment was held July 17 at Golden Hill Cemetery. A memorial service is planned for next year. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Fred said that his greatest accomplishments, and his greatest legacy, were his three sons and their families,” his loved ones said.
Dr. Greenblatt was born March 25, 1937, in Denver to Sam Orlin and Anne Shpall. His father died at age 25 and Carl Greenblatt later adopted him.
He attended Denver North High School and went to CU, where he made the Dean’s List and met his future wife Julie Perlman.
Dr. Greenblatt earned his DDS with honors in 1962 at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
After graduation, he received a dental internship from the US Public Health Service and was stationed in New Orleans for one year.
From 1963-1966, Dr. Greenblatt was chief of dental services for the US Public Health Service Indian Hospital in Rosebud, South Dakota. He developed a dental health program for children that ensured their access to optimal dental care.
The Rosebud Sioux made him an honorary member of the tribe in 1966 and named him Shunka Wakan (Crazy Horse) after the legendary Brule Sioux chief.
Dr. Greenblatt achieved the rank of lieutenant commander in the US Public Health Service.
The family returned to Denver, where Dr. Greenblatt and his partners built a dental practice in Glendale in 1970.
He developed Colorado’s first prepaid dental plan in 1972; was appointed by Gov. Richard Lamm to the Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners; and served on the Central Regional Testing Service and the Western Regional Examining Board.
Author of Ten Practical Steps to Greater Profits in Dentistry, he also was an expert witness on standards of care in dentistry.
Dr. Greenblatt retired in 1995.
An actor who appeared on stage, TV and in commercials locally and nationally, he was on the American Federation of Television Actors’ board, belonged to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and sat on the board of Rocky Mountain SAG.
Dr. Greenblatt married Nora Hurt in 1999. The couple traveled extensively.
Dr. Fred Greenblatt is survived by his wife Nora; his sons Jeff, Andrew and Mitch; daughters-in-law Kris, Robin and Kaiva; grandchildren Gabrielle, Natasha, Trent, Kelsey, Bryce, Atlas and Ever; and sister Syma.
Copyright © 2020 by the Intermountain Jewish News
