Rolando Bernui, DDS, Col., USAF (Ret.)

Rolando (Rolo) Bernui, D.D.S., Col., USAF (Ret.) of Hendersonville, TN, passed away at the age of 93 on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. He was born on August 15, 1929 in Yauya, Peru. Rolo attended dental school in Peru and, after being in private practice for one year, studied pediatric dentistry at Guggenheim Dental Clinic in New York City. When he returned to Peru, he served as chief dentist for several mining camps of Cerro De Pasco Corporation. Rolo moved to the United States permanently in 1957. He studied Dentistry at Indiana University, where he met his beloved wife of 64 years, Betty, and her wonderful family, all of whom he loved dearly and cherished as if they were his own. Rolo joined the Air Force in 1959 and served as a dentist until he retired in February of 1980. He then opened a private practice in Fort Washington, Maryland, where he practiced until 1995. In 1997, Rolo and Betty moved to Hendersonville, TN, and he served as an assistant professor at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry until he retired in 2011. Rolo, a leading expert in implant dentistry, was a prolific author, co-writing several dentistry textbooks, and authoring his memoir, Citizen By Choice: My Journey to the American Dream, at the age of 91. He continued his study of implantology until his passing. Rolo spoke seven languages and traveled extensively throughout his life. He loved returning to Peru to visit friends and family and took many family members there to learn about their heritage and meet their relatives. Rolo never met a stranger and was much-loved by all who knew him. He coached his children and grandchildren in soccer and was an avid practitioner of Tai Chi.

Rolo is survived by his wife, Betty, his children Elena (Rick), Michael (Melinda), Tony (Jeanne), and Joe, his 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gregorio Bernui and Gaudencia Vidal, his sister Aida, and his daughter, Mary Beth (11 months).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Our Lady of the Lake Building Fund.

To donate via check, please mail to:

Our Lady of the Lake

1729 Stop 30 Road

Hendersonville, TN. 37075

Attn: Finance

On the Memo Line: In Honor of Dr. Bernui/Bldg Fund, to ensure that the building fund is credited and acknowledge the gift is a donation in honor of Rolando.

To donate online, click this link link:: https://ololcc.org/donate/