Raymond A. Holcomb, D.D.S. Scholarship

Dr. Richard M. Clary and Mrs. Kathryn H. Clary established the Raymond A. Holcomb, D.D.S. Scholarship in 2013 in memory of Mrs. Clary’s father.

Dr. Raymond Holcomb was born poor in Richwood, W. Va., but early in life showed the tenacity that led to his successful career. In 1933, he was the W. Va. Golden Gloves Champion, boxing in the 160-pound class. He went on to be the first in his family to go to college, then came to MCV School of Dentistry, graduating in 1940 and staying on as a dental intern.

He then set up his practice in Fredericksburg but in March of 1942 returned to MCV to join the 45th General Hospital for World War II. He served with the MCV unit in North Africa and Italy then transferred to the Army Air Corps where he met and married an Air Corps nurse. After the war, he brought her back to Fredericksburg where he practiced general dentistry and oral surgery for 40 years and raised two daughters. He built a wonderful practice based on hard work, surgical skills and the ability to let his patients know they were special to him.

He remained a loyal alumnus of MCV, and his family is proud to honor his memory with this scholarship. May many more young dentists learn here to serve their communities as he did.