Glenn Franklin Dr. Bitler, Sr.

Dr. Glenn Franklin Bitler, 93, passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018 with family by his side. Glenn was born on December 26, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of the late Ethel Morgan and Elmer Bitler.  He was a graduate of West Philadelphia High School, then Franklin and Marshall Prep School on a football scholarship and the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate and Dental School. Glenn came south in 1952 to serve on the first faculty for the UNC Dental School.  He began a practice in Raleigh in 1953 until his retirement in 1992. Glenn served in the Navy aboard the USS Dutchess in the Pacific during World War II, returning to PA afterwards and married his 8th grade dance partner, Sara Robinson, in 1949.  During their 61 years of marriage, they raised 4 children:  Barbara Coughlin (Paul), Glenn “Geff,” Jr, (Dorothea), Susan Phelps (Jim) and Paul (Peggy).   He was predeceased by Sara and Susan but is also survived by 13 grandchildren:  Sara C. Brown (Brandon), Lindsay C. McKnight (Philip), Catherine C. Hauser (Scott), Elizabeth Coughlin, Brooke B. Poole (Tyler), Amanda B. Smith (Ken), Glenn Bitler III and Mary Morgan B. Keyser (Robb), Lauren and Jamie Bitler Phelps, Grant, Luke and Holt Franklin Bitler.  He was proud of his great-grandchildren:  Thomas and William Brown, Wesley and Marion McKnight, and Andrew Poole.   Glenn and Sara put family first and instilled this value in their children. Glenn was active in his church, his community and profession. At White Memorial Presbyterian Church, he was a Deacon and an Elder.  He and his wife started the church Radio Fund.  In the West Raleigh Rotary, he was a Paul Harris Fellow and Past President, where he remained a member until his death.  He received the Rotary Service Award in 1995.  He was a board member for the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and on the Poe Center Board, where there is a room named in his honor.  He was an emeritus member of the Board of Delta Dental of NC, previously serving as President for 15 years and Board Chairman for 8 years.  Glenn passionately served both in general and children’s dentistry.  He was recognized with the Practitioner of the Year Award – NC Unit of American Pediatric Society of Dentistry for Children.  Glenn was a fellow in the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. He was President of the Raleigh-Wake County Dental Society, the Fourth District Dental Society and Vice-President of the NC Dental Society. He and Sara loved traveling and dancing.  They were members of the Assembly and Club 17 Social Clubs and long-time members of Carolina Country Club where Glenn could be found playing nightly singles on the tennis courts until nearly age 90.  He loved tennis and regularly and jovially beat his opponents.  When shingles immobilized his right arm for a time, he put the racquet in his left hand and continued his winning streak.  And when tennis was no longer an option, he visited the Club exercise room for 50 push-ups and some treadmill time until recently. The family is most grateful for the wonderful care provided by Gloria Roberts (and her family) during the last year of Glenn’s life. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 9, from 5 -7 at Carolina Country Club.  A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 10, at 1 p.m. at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.  Arrangements will be handled by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Sara and Glenn Bitler Fund or to the church capital campaign, 1794 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, NC  27608, or to a charity of your choice.