Eric Shapira Is a Man of Many Accomplishments

By Eva Trieger

RAMONA, California – Each conversation I have with Dr. Eric Shapira reveals unexpected layers of his experiential wisdom laced with a heaping dollop of humor and compassion. The myriad careers, interests and talents of this individual mark him as a true Renaissance man.

In addition to working as a dentist for more than 30 years, Dr. Shapira earned a master’s degree as a clinical gerontologist, and another master’s in health administration. His expansion and journey into these additional pathways was precipitated by neck injuries that interfered with his ability to rely solely on performing dental surgery. Yet, these new ventures broadened his horizons and led him to new discoveries.

He has published over one hundred professional articles and authored three very excellent and very different books. The first, A New Wrinkle, details how to embrace the second half of our lives. The second, The Art of Eric Z. Shapira, is the thrilling result of a five-year labor of love. This stunning collection is a 60-year retrospective of this self-taught artist’s drawings, paintings and sculptures. The most recent publication is a textbook entitled Geriatric Dentistry: Gateway to Longevity and Life-Long Health. This is a valuable resource for geriatric dentistry and medicine.

A New Wrinkle is part-autobiography, part philosophy and all delightful. This manual on aging with gratitude and zest is subtitled  “What I Learned from Older People Who Never Acted Their Age.” It is a collection of meaningful, well-selected quotes from a plethora of sources. Jokes are sprinkled throughout each chapter along with specific advice on dealing with the aging journey in the most successful way.  Shapira discusses every aspect on making the most of growing older including tips on caregivers, diet and exercise, sexual activity and the legal aspects that accompany the end stages of life.

The book includes a very helpful glossary, related reading, and helpful resources. It’s a thoroughly fun and most useful book and obviously took a great deal of time, energy and devotion. The book’s preface and dedication demonstrate Shapira’s formative influencers. His obvious respect and love of his predecessors, his unique but also familiar grandparents’ immigrant story, lend so much richness to the tapestry of this man’s ability to share himself and his gifts.

Both sets of grandparents hailed from Eastern Europe, and made their way to America.  While Shapira never knew his paternal grandfather, he did get to know his Bubbie, as well as many of his father’s siblings. This large Orthodox Jewish home had a kitchen replete with potato blintzes and other traditional delicacies. Shapira had the good fortune to know both of his maternal grandparents, Nani and Pappa. He relates a rather spicy secret divulged by his maternal grandmother, but I’m not telling!

Like so many Jews who’d escaped European persecution, his grandparents seldom spoke of their experiences, so Shapira did not know much about his  grandparents until he left his native California and moved to the East Coast for college. He credits his forebears with his curiosity and menschlichkeit. Through modeling, he has instilled these same attributes in his son and grandchildren, continuing the legacy of being a light for others.

And speaking of seeking out opportunities to be of service, or perform tikkun olam,  Shapira has worked for the Indian Health Service in Valley Center as a per diem dentist, as well as providing medical, behavioral and social service services. He has served as an anesthesiologist in Carlsbad, treating special needs children and adults, and has been a Rotarian since 1977. Shapira has served in every major role in the organization including club president in both the Half Moon Bay chapter as well as the Ramona chapter. Shapira takes pride in having served as Scholarship Chair and regularly publicly recognizes the Students of the Month.

Following the receipt of a sizable grant, Shapira dedicated three months to providing medical and dental care to the victims of Hurricane Gilbert in ravaged Jamaica. Rotary International took Shapira to Mexico to deliver 500 wheelchairs to those in need. The international visits brought medical and dental expertise and equipment to those in Ecuador, Bolivia and Sri Lanka.  That is just the tip of the iceberg!  His mentoring and largesse has brought over 100 youth exchanges and scholars to his home in the past 50 years as a Rotarian. It certainly does seem that philanthropy is in his DNA. Shapira and his wife, Susan, are a dynamic duo and both committed Rotarians. The pair enthusiastically engage in community activities that enrich the lives of not only the Ramona community, but they have shared their vast skills and compassion globally.

I fully suspect that there is little Eric Shapira cannot do. His literary references are wide ranging and always precisely on point. His ability to speak extemporaneously and wisely are admirable, and his sparkling wit is omnipresent. Had he lived during the 15th century he’d certainly have given Leonardo da Vinci a run for his money, but luckily for us, he’s our own present-day polymath!

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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer based in the San Diego suburb of  Ramona, California.  She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com