Gregory William Drinkert

Gregory “Bear” William Drinkert was born on June 4, 1950, to Eleanor and George Drinkert. He spent his early childhood in Dearborn, MI, with his parents and three sisters: Marilyn, Janet, and Diane. Greg enjoyed swimming, bike riding, and archery. At the age of 11, Greg and his family relocated to the Southern California; as an adult, Greg would often recall the magic of seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

After completing a 2 year Optics Engineering Program at Citrus College, Greg was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. He received several medals, including the Commendation Medal (ARCOM) valor medal.

From an early age, Greg possessed an amazing aptitude for engineering. Throughout his life, friends and family spoke highly of his ability to “fix anything”. After returning from his term in Vietnam, he pursued this gift as a mechanical engineer. He first designed the Oakley polycarbonate sunglass frames, and then went on to work with a small team to develop Dolphin Imaging Systems, a technological advancement that has had significant impact on the field of orthodontics. One of his most rewarding experiences was returning to Vietnam with the Operation Smile organization to utilize this technology to help children with severely debilitating orthodontic issues.

Greg raised his two children Garrett “Gus” and Allison with their mother, Rebecca, in Ventura, CA. Greg enjoyed frequenting local live music shows, spending time with friends, and walks on the beach. After retiring from Dolphin, Greg retired in Maricopa, AZ. After winning a battle with stomach cancer, Greg enjoyed several years of exploring new places and riding motorcycles with his friends – a pastime he enjoyed more than anything else.

On November 7, 2016, Greg passed away instantly in a fatal motorcycle accident. Just a day earlier, he had told a close friend that when he passed away, he hoped it was “on his Harley, not in some hospital bed.” Despite the tragedy of the loss, his friends and family have found comfort that he exited this world doing what he loved most.

Greg will be remembered for his clever sense of humor, being a good friend, his ability to hold a conversation about nearly any subject (the result of a life-long passion for reading), engineering gifts, and a golden heart. In the same way that Greg worked towards improving engineering projects to be more efficient and polished, he lived his life trying to grow and evolve into the best person he could be. Greg’s kindness and loving nature will not be forgotten by his friends and family.