In Memory

John Stephen "Steve" Harrington

John Stephen Steve Harrington

Harrington, John Stephen "Steve"

John Stephen "Steve" Harrington
Nov. 1, 1952 - May 14, 2018 
NLRHS Class of 1970

Steve Harrington, DDS, longtime member of the UCSF School of Dentistry faculty, passed away May 14. He was 65.
Dr. Harrington, who taught preclinical and patient-centered care courses, joined the faculty on a volunteer basis in 1999, later moving to part-time salaried faculty. Till 2009, he also provided care within the School’s Faculty Group Practice.
He worked closely with Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences colleagues Joel White, DDS, MS, and Howard Pollick, BDS, MPH.
“I am so sad” to learn of Dr. Harrington’s passing, Dr. Pollick said. “Steve and I worked hand in glove for many years.” Dr. White added, “We are missing him every day and appreciated his contribution to UCSF.” Many other colleagues in the School of Dentistry were similarly shocked and saddened.
John Stephen Harrington was born Nov. 1, 1952, in Little Rock, Ark. A 1974 graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, he was awarded his DDS degree from Louisiana State University in 1982. Dr. Harrington completed his residency at Mount Zion Hospital’s dental department in 1983, prior to the hospital’s 1990 acquisition by UCSF.
Volunteering and mentoring students were close to Dr. Harrington’s heart. He regularly volunteered with UCSF’s student-run Community Dental Clinic and the “Give Kids a Smile” annual outreach event, and oversaw students at numerous community dental screening events.
A schoolwide memorial took place May 30 at Millberry Union Conference Center. A student/faculty/staff memorial took place May 18 in the preclinical simulation laboratory.

Steve died in his sleep of unknown natural causes, but appears to have been a stroke. His passing was a total shock to everyone since he was in apparent great health. His San Francisco friends and coworkers will gather on October 6, 2018 to spread his ashes on Montara Mountain, just south of San Francisco, CA.

Update:  The Memorial for Steve on 10.06.18 at Montara Mountain.

The following, sent to Bert Turner, is from a friend of Steve Harrington's who participated in the October 6, 2018 memorial to Steve.

"My brother and I just returned from San Francisco last week. Just wanted to share the experience and some photos with you.

The spreading of Steve's ashes and picnic went really well. Dr. Joel (UCSF School of Denistry cohort) did a great job organizing the ceremony and he with a contingent of fellow hikers made the strenuous climb to the top of Montara Mountain. Helen Hye Sook Oh and her family brought a fabulous feast as well as others.I was able to gather a few of Steve's lifelong friends to join the group. Jim Mercado (good friend from N. Little Rock & fellow musician in his band), Pearl Tom (friend from Bay area) and my brother Carl Couret.

We all exchanged stories about Steve's compassion and generosity. He was like a father to one family that was there, even walking one of the daughters down the aisle in her wedding. Every Sunday he would deliver groceries to a shut-in, likely a former patient of his. And so many more stories of kindness.

Dr. Joel and another professor spoke about how important he was to the dental school and how well respected and admired he was by both faculty and students.

The mountain pic shows where Steve's ashes are on the mountain and pics of the group."

Photo 1: The Gathering of Friends and CoWorkers

 Steve's Friends and Co-workers

Photo 2: Montara Mountain, where Steve's ashes were scattered

 

Photo 3. The feast at which memories of Steve were shared.