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Dr. John L. Bomba
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Dr. John L. Bomba, 78, a past ADA president (1984–1985) and a dental educator for 30 years, died April 13 in Las Vegas after a long battle with leukemia.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Thelma Burket Bomba, seven children and six grandchildren.
A native of Philadelphia, where he spent his entire professional career, Dr. Bomba received his dental degree from the Temple University School of Dentistry in 1946.
After serving in the Air Force, he opened a dental practice in South Philly, on Passyunk Avenue, across from the house in which he was born and where his Italian immigrant father ran a tailor shop for 70 years.
In 1957, Dr. Bomba joined the faculty of Temple’s dental school, dividing his time between private practice and his duties with the school. At Temple, he served as professor and the chair of the Department of Operative Dentistry from 1965 to 1976, when he was named associate dean. He retired from Temple in 1986, though he continued to serve as professor emeritus.
Throughout his career, Dr. Bomba was active in organized dentistry, helping found the Southern District Dental Society of Philadelphia and rising through the ranks to become Pennsylvania Dental Association president in 1976–1977.
On the national level, he represented Pennsylvania as Third District trustee to the ADA Board of Trustees from 1977–1983, and served as ADA treasurer from 1982–1983.
As the climax of an all-American success story, Dr. Bomba’s immigrant father, who came to this country with nothing when he was 14 years old, survived to see his son installed as ADA president in 1984.
In addition to his wife and six grandchildren, Dr. Bomba is survived by two sons, John Jr. and Ed; and five daughters, Katherine Newell, Marguerite Bomba, Linda Bomba, Cynthia Scharringhausen and Monica Poulin.
A funeral Mass for Dr. Bomba was said April 18 in Las Vegas, followed by burial in Boulder City, Nev.
Donations can be made in Dr. Bomba’s name to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Drive, Las Vegas, Nev. 89128, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
