Dr. Harold L. Ceitlin

Dr. Harold Lee Ceitin, 76, passed away on January 12, 2024 in Dallas surrounded by his family. His strength, courage and constant positivity will forever serve as an inspiration to those that knew him.

For 44 years, Dr. Ceitlin’s dental practice served generations in Birmingham and across Alabama. His infectious smile and comforting manner put people at ease, so much so that his roster of patients frequently included their children and grandchildren. Dr. Ceitlin’s commitment to helping others extended to volunteering at the Trudi Berger Dental Clinic for Children in Jerusalem and joining a mission to Cuba to bring medical supplies to facilities in need.

While dentistry was his profession, Dr. Ceitlin’s greatest love was his family. He is survived by his wife Julie (nee Lilienthal) of over 48 years, his children Jay (Kari) Ceitlin, Jill (Russin) Royal; grandchildren Drew, Lev & Kol Ceitlin and Havi & Somi Royal, all of Dallas. His warmth, kindness and sense of humor will live on through loving sisters Bonita Nickol of Little Rock and Margaret Biller of Memphis and his sister-in-law Sally Dunkley of Selma. Also, so important to him were nephews and nieces Gary (Kaylin) Nickol, Julie (Steve) Felsen, Caroline Bernstein, Jonathan Biller, Daniel (Tara) Biller, Amy (Alexis) Vaughn along with all of their children. He maintained special relationships with each of them that will help carry his memory forward.

Dr. Ceitlin was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Sophie Ceitlin, along with brothers-in-law and dear friends Leslie Lilienthal, Stephen Biller and Dr. Sam Nickol.

Born on March 6, 1947, Dr. Ceitlin was a champion of the City of Birmingham and the richness of its culture and community.

He graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1965 and began his studies at Tulane prior to receiving a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham Southern. He then pursued a Doctor of Dental Medicine from UAB, graduating in 1973 before founding his private practice.

Dr. Ceitlin never met a stranger. It was in college when “Happy Harold” became a popular moniker. Throughout his life, he maintained a unique ability to connect with others, drawing anyone into an engaging and spirited conversation. His network was robust, including his golf group at Pinetree Country Club, friends around the world that became family and the very close relationships he maintained nationwide, including a tight group of college buddies from ZBT.

Saturdays in the Fall were reserved for the University of Alabama. He was in attendance at Legion Field when Bear Bryant, with a look to the sky, parted the clouds so the sun could shine on the Tide. And would Dr. Ceitlin have been able to watch one more season, many agree that Nick Saban might have stuck around as well.

Beyond football, his passions were numerous, including art, the stock market and politics. Dr. Ceitlin loved music with diverse tastes that spanned the Eagles, Cher and Elton John. He shared a joy for travel with his wife, children and their spouses, drawing from those experiences to shape his own worldly perspective.

Dr Ceitlin’s favorite destination was Israel, a country that he so deeply admired and visited many times, most recently with his entire family last year for the occasion of his grandson’s Bar Mitzvah. It was there that he emphasized why the State of Israel was so important to the Jewish people, to the people that came before him and all those that will follow. He explained Israel’s vital role as the Middle East’s sole democracy, its importance as an ally of the United States and how, today and always, the country should serve as a light onto the nations.

Back home, steadfast was Dr. Ceitlin’s commitment to the professional, civic, and Jewish communities that meant so much to him. For decades he was a member of the American Dental Association, Alabama Dental Association, Birmingham District Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry. Locally Dr. Ceitlin was involved in numerous organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth-El, Israel Bonds and United Ability.

A graveside service will be held Monday, January 15 at Elmwood Cemetery at 10:00am followed by a memorial service at Temple Beth-El in Birmingham.

The family asks that contributions be made in Dr. Ceitlin’s memory to the Temple Beth-El Ceitlin Family Fund; Buz-A-Bus Transportation by Collat Jewish Family Services; or Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF).