MANN, Gilbert E.

Gilbert E. Mann DDS, May 5, 1930-Jan. 5, 2003. Pilot, sailor, orthodontist, entrepreneur and Dad. Dr. Mann "slipped the surly bonds of earth" as the voices of his children, Grant and Margo, bade him goodbye. Many of his friends may have expected his demise to come in the cockpit of a plane or boat or the front seat of an MG roadster or tackling a black run in Colorado - and if Parkinson's disease hadn't stopped him in his tracks that might have happened. Dr. Mann was raised by his parents, Eddie and Winnie Belle Mann, in Amarillo, TX. He joined the USAF to fly in the Korean War and, after being severely injured while ejecting from his fighter jet over the Yellow sea, went on to finish dental school at Baylor University on crutches. He opened his first dental practice in Sierra Vista in 1958. Two years later he returned to graduate school in Kansas City for a degree in orthodontics. After opening his office in Phoenix in 1962, he gave great smiles and confidence to thousands of Arizonans and was one of the first dentists in the country to investigate and treat TMJ pain. Dr. Mann is survived by his daughter Margo Sbrocco of Reno, NV, his son Grant Mann of Phoenix, son-in-law Brian Sbrocco, grandson Blake, brother Richard Mann of Amarillo Texas, and all his "lovelies" who worked with him through 40 years of creating beautiful smiles at Arizona Orthodontic Specialists. "I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace. Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, with silent, lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space." J. Magee - RCAF 1941 In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the Dr. Gilbert E. Mann Family Charitable Foundation. Condolences and contributions may be sent to the family via Arizona Orthodontic Specialists, 2200 West Bethany Home Rd, Suite 8, Phx, AZ 85015. A Celebration of his Life will be held at a later date. Published in the Arizona Republic on 1/18/2004.