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Bradford Clark Giles, DDS
November 23,1926 ~ February 18, 2022
Born and raised in San Francisco, Dr. Brad Giles bought one of the first Greenbrae homes in 1960, when cows still roamed the hills. Enamored with Marin County and his view of Mt. Tamalpais, Brad never considered moving for the next 62 years. He and his wife Ellen raised their three children there. Years later, he lovingly cared for Ellen until she died and then, continued to live as a fastidious gentleman while the world changed at warp speed.
Brad and his older sister Betty, who predeceased him, grew up in the city during the Depression with their parents Clark and Louise Giles, and both sets of grandparents. The Giles family spent as much time as possible in Lagunitas, where Clark taught Brad the value of hard work and nurtured his passion for the outdoors. Duck hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes that Brad also shared with is sons Dixon and Kirk.
At Lowell High School, Brad shined in academics and track, and was an enthusiastic yell leader. He graduated in 1944 while WWII was underway and joined the Navy. Stationed in Oakland, Brad's tenure as a surgical technician inspired him to be a dentist like his father. With the help the GI Bill, Brad graduated UC Berkeley and received his DDS degree from UC San Francisco in 1952. He joined his father's practice in the city and grew it to 2,400 patients over his 40-year career.
Well-regarded and humble, Brad was elected president of his dental class, the UCSF Dental Association, and the Parnassus Club. In addition to being the Dean of the Advisory Community for UCSF dental school, he taught there part-time for 15 years and was on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Dental Society for 30 years. To recognize his contributions, Brad received UCSF's prestigious Medal of Honor in 1991. This award, however, was not any more important to him than coaching his sons in the Marin County Little League, and managing their Cub Scout troops.
Brad's daughter Dana inherited his eye for fashion and cooking skills. Brad enjoyed buying clothes for his wife, Mary Ellen Duplisea (Ellen), also a Lowell grad, who fortunately appreciated his good taste. They married while he was in dental school. One of his favorite mottos was: I made the living. She made the living worthwhile. Together, they were show-stopping dancers who travelled the world with friends Doris and Ray Rovero. Ellen was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis in her 50s and when she was no longer able to care for herself, Brad sold his dental practice so he could be by her side 24 hours a day. He was a devoted househusband for 20 years until Ellen died on November 24, 2014, at the age of 87.
As he wished, Brad died naturally within days of breathing difficulty due to a terminal lung condition. As they wished, Brad and Ellen will be interred together at Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma near their parents. He requested only a private family gathering. Remembering him with love are his son Dixon and granddaughter Heather; son Kirk and his wife Diane, and granddaughters Amanda Giles DeRossa (her husband Michael, great-grandchildren Tyler, Mikey, and Ally) and Kelli Giles Thomas (her husband Lucas, great-grandchildren Siena, Owen, and Everest); and daughter Dana Giles Hilliard and granddaughters Maeve and Grace.
In addition to his family, Brad will be greatly missed by his friends---including his neighbors---and those he taught , mentored, worked with, and helped throughout his 95 years."You get what you give," he often said. Brad lived by those words.
