Dr. John Roland Westine passed on May 13, 2023, at 91 years old, while swimming in the warm Gulfstream waters in front of his home of 50 years in Gulfstream, FL.  He is survived by his four children, Lynn Valerie Westine (George Fleeson), Lezlee Jean Westine, Lauralee Ganson Westine (Robert Gualtieri), and John Ganson Westine (Tina); his seven grandchildren, Nicole Leyton Rosser (Jay), Jennifer Leyton Armakan (Eric), Taylor Lynn Cramer (Ben), John Ganson Westine II, Grayson Kim Westine, Marin Elise Westine, Lauren Ganson Westine Gualtieri, Jordanna Linne Gualtieri, and Christina Leigh Gualtieri; and his six great grandchildren, Noelle Rosser, Sam Rosser, Beau Rosser, Eliana Armakan, Valentina Armakan, and Camila Armakan.  He will also be dearly missed by his loyal friends and office staff, Kelley and Lisa; his Tuesday doctors' lunch group; and Marley, his grand-dog.  Dr. Westine was predeceased by his parents, John Emanuel Westine and Greta Margret Westine (Larsson), and his sisters, Lorraine Westine and Mary Jane Westine.

Although Dr. Westine was born into humble circumstances to two Swedish immigrants in South Side Chicago, he quickly proved to be extraordinary. Despite never reading a book until his college years, Dr. Westine was academically gifted and graduated as salutatorian of his high school which, along with his swimming talents, earned him a scholarship to North Central College. While growing up, his motivation, talents, and hard work ethic secured him a variety of jobs from playing jazz piano in Windy City night clubs, to serving as Captain of the Lifeguards on the shores of Lake Michigan. His motivation to learn expedited his graduation from North Central College and subsequently Dental School at the University of Chicago. Following graduation, he became a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force and was one of the first Oral Surgeons to be trained by the USAF. Tiring of the cold Chicago winters, Dr. Westine moved to paradise in Delray Beach, FL in 1962 and established one of the first Oral Maxillofacial Surgery practices in Palm Beach County.

His meticulous and compassionate work over more than 60 years, covering Bethesda (now Baptist), Delray Medical Center, and JFK Medical Center, earned him the admiration of his colleagues and patients as one of the most respected doctors. His tireless work ethic and leadership manifest in many ways, such as writing and advocating for the passage of state laws to protect patients, and in the creation of the American College of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons, where he served as president during its early years and continued as editor of its newsletter. Through decades of writing and innovative ideas, Dr. Westine influenced and helped shape and develop the future of the surgical subspecialty. His impact in the field reached internationally as a founding member and past president of the International College of Maxillofacial Surgery. Two days prior to his passing, Dr. Westine had just returned from the Maldives where he chaired a panel during the organization's Golden Jubilee celebrating its 50th anniversary.

A kind and giving spirit pervaded all of Dr. Westine's endeavors, including his philanthropic efforts like the creation of the International Foundation for Children with Craniofacial Disorders (IFCCD), a 501(c)(3) organization, where 100% of all funds contributed are used to help children. Dr. Westine traveled to Asia, Africa, and Latin America collaborating with colleagues to help children in need and providing badly needed supplies and equipment.  Last fall, he returned from Nigeria where IFCCD donated a blood bank and a generator for a hospital and an operating room where electricity was not reliable. Dr. Westine also procured anesthesia equipment, donated last year by Delray Medical Center, for use by the WE CARE organization in Cameroon.   IFCCD also supports CLAYPA, a Mexican not for profit organization, that performs surgical repairs on children with cleft lip and palate deformities.

After returning from each of his many mission trips and adventures to his home on the beach in Gulfstream, he frequently reaffirmed that he lived in paradise. Nowhere in the world could compare to his backyard where he enjoyed almost daily backyard swims in the warm Gulfstream waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Dr. Westine continued to be a voracious reader, lifelong learner, run his practice, and take trauma call at two hospitals until his Saturday baptism by saltwater and sand which launched his new life with the Everlasting.

Dr. Westine, fondly known as Big Bad Dad, or BBD, boldly lived his life on his own terms with no regrets, appreciated and loved his family, friends, colleagues, and co-workers.  Please join us in celebrating his amazing 91 years at either or both of two events:

1) Lorne and Sons Funeral Home, 745 NE 6 ^th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483 on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 5-7pm.

2) Celebration of Life at the Seagate Beach Club, 400 S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483 on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 4-8pm.

In lieu of flowers, Dr. Westine's family is requesting considering a contribution to IFCCD, 250 Dixie Blvd, Suite 100, Delray Beach, FL 33444, www.ifccd.org , where his family will continue his passion for providing care for children with cranial facial disorders.