Dr. Robert Bernerd Joynt
October 3, 1943 – December 20, 2019
Dr. Robert Bernerd Joynt was born to Bernerd Joynt of Boonville, N.Y. and Catherine Heaffy of Bally Heaffy, Ireland. Utica born and bred, he attended Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School from kindergarten through eighth grade, and he was a member of the first graduating class of Notre Dame High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in biology in 1965 from Utica College with a minor in chemistry.
Dr. Joynt moved to the Western New York area, where he made his home for the rest of his life. He attained his Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and went on to spend his career as a beloved associate professor in sophomore technique, as well as the Director of Admissions to the Dental School. He was frequently lauded for excellence in his profession and was the recipient of countless awards. When asked, he would explain that the honors that he valued most came from the dental students who he had the pleasure of teaching. To that end, he was honored as Educator of the Year in 1983, 1998 and 2002. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award, given by the Student Dental Association, in 1984 and 1985. He was a two-time recipient of the Richard A. Powell Award for Excellence in Teaching, in 1990 and 2008. He was also given the Alan A. Gross Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2008. That year, he also received the School of Dental Medicine Alumni Honor Award, which is given to those whose enthusiastic and untiring endeavors have helped to promote the continued growth, development and success of the UB School of Dental Medicine. The 2009 yearbook for the School of Dental Medicine was dedicated to him. Dr. Joynt retired from the Dental School in 2008, having taught several thousand UB dental students. After his retirement, he was again recognized by the class of 1989, which raised money to designate a conference room in the Dental School in his honor.
Dr. Joynt was also involved in his community. He served for 10 years on the Board of Education for the Medina Central School District, where his children attended, and presided as President of the Board for three of those years.
Dr. Joynt’s primary focus in life was his family. He met and married his wife of 45 years, Cathy Houserman of Medina, and together they had three children, Anne of East Amherst, Michael (Megan Mongiovi) of Pittsford, and Catherine (Timothy Moriarty) of Amherst. He was the very proud “Bumpa” of his grandson, Andrew. He is also survived by his sister, Susanne Torres of Denver, and David (Patricia) of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., as well as many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may visit the Lombardo Funeral Home (Snyder Chapel), 4614 Main St. (near Harlem Road), Snyder, N.Y., on Fri., Jan. 3 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph University Parish, 3269 Main St., Buffalo, on Sat., Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. (Please assemble at church.)
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Joynt’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.
Condolences may be offered at www.lombardofuneralhome.com.
