Broad Ripple residents knew him as The Village Dentist. Above what was Abigail's (today it is Starbucks) and across the way from Doctor J.W. Young, Dr. Donald (Don) R. Irwin practiced dentistry from 1947 to 1976. Many of the more mature Broad Ripple residents have Dr. Irwin to thank for their pearly whites, but most probably never gave a thought to the man behind the drill. To know the man one must look below the surface. There was much more to Don Irwin than dentistry.

Don Irwin was a Hoosier and family man. Born in 1902 on the south side of Indianapolis to a family of modest means, he was raised on South Alabama. He worked his way through school and was a 1927 graduate of the IU School of Dentistry. In approximately 1933, he married Loreen Rosebaum, who was fondly known as Hienie. This unusual nickname was bestowed upon her early by her father, and came from a Dutch song he sang to her. Dr. Irwin and his wife raised their boys, Jim (BRHS 1955-59) and Don, in Broad Ripple. Family life was good in the family home on Broadway. Jim Irwin fondly remembers his parents cuddling in the kitchen on Sunday mornings after church. When his older teenaged brother went out on Fridays, his parents took him to the movies. The Irwins loved to host parties, and when at BRHS, Jim often brought his dates. "Their parties were just more fun," he remembers. In the summers, the Irwins went to Lake Wawasee, where there were sailing races every weekend.

In addition to giving to his family, Don Irwin was a giver to others. He was the dentist for the School for the Blind. From 1952 to 1970, he gave a full day every week to the students. In the 60's, the Dental clinic was named in his honor.

Don Irwin also gave to his country. He was a decorated veteran with the American Service Defense, American Theatre, Asiatic Pacific and Purple Heart medals. When World War II broke out, the dentist could have stayed home, but he entered the service as a Captain of the U.S. Army 5th Air Force (yes, the Air Force was part of the Army). He shipped out from San Francisco with the 19th Bomb group, the first air unit to strike back at the Japanese in 1941. For five years he served as an Army Dental Surgeon down under and in the Pacific Theatre. Dr. Irwin saw action in Papua, New Guinea. The Japanese were determined to take Australia and key islands in the Pacific. The hard-won victories in the Solomons and Papua gave MacArthur's and Nimitz's forces strength to launch major offensives. As the military island-hopped across the ocean, the battles were very bloody. Dr Irwin was wounded and would have residual effects all his life from the injury, but he was not discouraged. Letters he wrote to his wife were cheery and upbeat. A paper from the base 5th service news discusses Major Irwin's conducting public relations during his convalescence at Billings General Hospital at Fort Benjamin Harrison. After serving from 1941 to 1946, Major Irwin returned to his practice, his family and his first love: music.

Musicians have been a large part of Broad Ripple's ambiance, and music was a large part of Dr. Irwin's life. Don Irwin was an accomplished piano, guitar and banjo player. He used music to pay his way through school. During the Depression, people did not have money to take care of their teeth, so the young dentist supplemented his income by playing at Irish wakes held in family homes. He even met his wife at a dance. This dentist was no amateur: he played with many famous players, and was called The Great Substitute. He played with the Ted Lewis Orchestra, Ben Pollack, Frankie Masters and Georgie Olsen in the 1920's. Dr. Irwin was a good friend of banjo player Eber Grubb. In the book The Jazz State of Indiana by Duncan Schiedt, Don Irwin is mentioned as possibly playing in the "Susie" recording session in 1924 by the Wolverines for Gennett of Richmond, Indiana. Bunny Berigan with the Wolverines frequently played at Casino Gardens, and Don often substituted for Bob Gillette. Dr. Irwin played all of his life. His son, Jim, has fond memories of singing with his dad at the clubs. The Indianapolis Star, April 25, 1970, ran a photo of a Gaslight party at the Indianapolis Athletic Club. There was Don Irwin playing banjo and looking dapper in a boater (flat brimmed hat) and striped blazer. A touch of whimsy was provided by a fake nose and glasses.

Dr. Donald R. Irwin died in 1979. He left us the example of a life fully lived. The next time you are sipping your double latte at Starbucks, drink to the Village dentist who worked on the floor above: Hoosier, family man, veteran, giver to others and musician.