Michael A. (Papa) Nisbet, DDS

June 24, 1933 – March 5, 2009.

Michael, or Papa as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren, passed away peacefully on March 5th with his entire family by his side. Dr. Nisbet (or “Doc”) practiced dentistry in the Costa Mesa community from 1962 to 1989, at which time he suffered a paralyzing waterskiing accident. For the past 20 years he has risen above his injury and shown those who know him what the definition of strength and a true “love of life” really means. Never one to quit or play the victim, Papa continued to participate in his children’s lives, his grandchildren’s lives, and to be a loving husband and partner to his high school sweetheart and wife of 52 years, Dianne, until the very last.

Papa was a man everyone looked up to, but who looked down on no one. He was a man’s man with a caring heart. In addition to loving his family, Papa had a strong love for his community, and served on numerous Boards and charitable organizations. He was an active Rotarian, and President of the Costa Mesa Rotary Club in 1978 & 1979.

Papa will be missed by many. The standards he set in his life will be a beacon for all who strive to make the world a better place. He is survived by his loving wife Dianne Nisbet, his son John, daughters Cathy and Suzy, daughter-in-law Gina, sons-in-law Michael McDaniels and Gary Mathieson, sister Kaye LaRusch, grandchildren Michelle, Taylor, Ali, Michael, Stacy, Kacey, Colter, and nephew, Mitchell Lane. We love you Papa. We truly hope you get to swim with the dolphins, fly with the eagles, and run with the cheetahs.

The Nisbet family acknowledges all those who have touched and continue to touch our lives. There are too many to list and for that we are truly blessed. We would like to thank the staff at Hoag Hospital for your awesome care and kindness. Cathleen, Hanna, and Lindsay were nothing short of saints in the ICU and we adopt you into our family from now to forever.

We sincerely wish to encourage any and all those who knew our Patriarch to “pay it forward”. Donate to your favorite charity, give to someone who is in need, go out of your way to help a child, and show the love in your heart. That would make Papa very happy.

The strength you showed us through the years will keep us strong and true.

We only wish that in the end we had more time with you.

The stage you set, the man you were, sets goals for us to conquer.

We are so grateful for the time we had to learn from you.