KILMARNOCK—John Bradshaw Tullner, 76, passed away on December 14, 2024, in his Kilmarnock home with his wife and best friend of 32 years, Eileen, by his side.
John was a man of immense personality and humor who cherished every moment shared with his friends and family. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and modeled the wonder of knowing. His many passions included music, digital photography, birding, nature and spending time with Eileen simply enjoying life on the water, especially the Chesapeake Bay in his boat Mental Floss.
John also loved and excelled in his professional career as a dentist. From the University of Maryland to Baltimore College, John achieved his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 1974. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army Dental Corp and subsequently joined the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) rising to the position of chief of dental service at the VA Medical Center in Richmond, as well as the VA national coordinator for Dental Infection Control Program and the Homeless Veterans Dental Program. John’s expertise in the field of dental infection control gained recognition both nationally and internationally earning him numerous speaking engagements. After leaving the VA, John continued sharing his knowledge as an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and a volunteer at the Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic.
While John’s dental career spanned many years of public service, he never really retired. John’s pursuit and passion for dentistry and medical knowledge led to his induction in 1997 as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists (ICD). After retirement, John became very active with the ICD, holding the positions of chair, Antimicrobial Resistance Committee (2016 to present) and scientific director, ICD Dental Safety Committee (2020-present). The goal of these programs was to promote understanding of the threat of antimicrobial resistance in more than 140 countries worldwide.
John is survived by his loving wife, Eileen; three children, son John Jr. and daughter Lorelei, daughter Catherine and her spouse Caleb and their son Shep, son James and his spouse Cheng and their children Joy, Jack and Jerald; a brother, Robert; and a sister, Jeannie Coyle; as well as a niece, nephews and many dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The International College of Dentists (donation link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Q5JDGAQT6ARYQ) or check sent to International College of Dentists, USA Section Foundation, 610 Professional Drive, Suite 201, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.
